College offers diverse options

NEW COURSES to help those looking to diversify into new rural businesses are being offered by Rodbaston College, Staffs.

Choices include butchery, bed-and-breakfast and computer training to produce of leaflets and flyers and website design.

The autumn one-day courses cost from £30/day. Business development manager Julie White said the prospectus reflected the needs of farmers and rural businesses.

“The emphasis is on short, sharp chunks of learning that will make a real difference to skill levels,” she added.

Barony College, near Dumfries has received European funding to offer training to the land-based sector at about half normal cost.

As well as technical courses such as pesticide applications and fork-lift truck operations, it also offers management qualifications through the Institute of Leadership and Management.