Leek Life January/February 2014 | Page 20

FARMING APPRENTICESHIPS New year opportunities available for local youngsters s the New Year brings reflection on what the future might hold for us and gives us the enthusiasm to embark on new challenges, young people in the Moorlands are being offered an opportunity to take up an apprenticeship in farming. Being offered by Support Staffordshire (Staffordshire Moorlands), it’s Land Based Advisor, Chris Higgins, is looking out for youngsters who are keen to work on the land in the Churnet Valley and link them up with a farm apprenticeship provided by DART Training. This is a great chance for a new career, or it could be a way of developing existing A 20 Leek Life January/February 2014 skills and gaining a qualification for youngsters already involved in farm work locally. Chris is also interested in hearing from farmers or other landowners in the Churnet Valley area who would be interested in taking on an apprentice. Financial help is available from the Government to support farm apprentices. This is just one of the projects supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership. To find out more about what’s on offer, contact Chris Higgins of Support Staffordshire (Staffordshire Moorlands) on Tel. 07891 225438.