Thanks to an intervention by Therese, pig and sheep husbandry will be included as an option in the new Agricultural, Land Management and Production T-Level, which is good news for Suffolk pig farmers. During her visit to Suffolk New College last year, Therese was informed by college Principal, Alan Pease, of the omission of pigs from the list of animal husbandry options and the challenges of the dairy assessment being mandatory. This is particularly relevant for Suffolk learners where for animal husbandry, pigs and sheep dominate; as well as the mandatory assessment which is challenging to deliver in Suffolk.
Last week, Therese and Alan met Apprenticeships and Higher Education Minister, Robert Halfon to press the case - and in a letter sent to Dr Coffey this week, the Minister has confirmed that the requirement will change from September this year.
Therese said: “It is important that the new T levels provide options that are relevant to jobs and careers in different parts of the country. For Suffolk, that means pigs must be on the menu of choices of students. I’m grateful to the Minister to listening to my representations on behalf of Suffolk New College and local farmers and changing the requirement.”
In his letter, the Apprenticeships Minister said: “I am pleased to confirm that officials have identified a pragmatic adjustment to the original policy design which will lead to the introduction of pig skills as an option within the occupational specialism. This will require restructuring of both the content and assessment framework and officials will work with the awarding organisation to design a new variant of the specialism to be introduced for the cohort that starts in September 2024.”
