Lantra, the sector skills council for the environmental and land-based industries and Napaeo, the association for land-based colleges and key providers of training and education within the sector, have formed a partnership to develop a sector learning partnership.

The partnership aims to align training provision with employers' needs. It will involve like-minded organisations and individuals working together to offer courses tailored to meet the needs of individuals and employers. Ultimately this will increase the effectiveness of learning and skills performance.

Stewart Jardine, director of skills for business at Lantra, said: 'Lantra recognises the formation and operation of the learning partnership as central to the whole area of workforce development and, as such, consistent with the primary aim and objectives of a sector skills council. The partnership will have a real impact on all 17 industries in the sector.' Lantra and Napaeo have actively pursued this project and endorsed a sector learning partnership framework that will provide high quality training resources, tailored learning, improved performance through sharing of information, excellence in educational opportunities, and 'one-stop shop' learning available within the sector.

Endorsing the partnership, Napaeo's Tim Jackson said: 'Napaeo is pleased to be working in partnership with the sector skills council for our sector. The partnership framework provides for a coherent and responsive learning solution that addresses the challenges cited in the policy commission report on the future of farming and food and is central to the government strategy for rural regeneration.'