How to become a training centre

For a new centre to join the scheme and be able to offer apprentice places the following criteria for both the centre & the trainer should be fulfilled.

Criteria for Approval of Training Centre and Trainer

Before a centre is approved as part of the Apprenticeship Learning programme it receives a visit from one or more members of the Biodynamic Association Training Group and Crossfields Institute. The following procedure is followed:

  1. The new centre submits an application form to the Training Group describing the holding and the learning opportunities on offer.
  2. The centre pays a registration fee of £100 to cover the registration and a visit from a member of the training group.
  3. A member of Training Group visits the centre to
    1. Assess the holding
    2.  Meet the trainer
    3.  Assess the learning facilities and opportunities
  4.  A report is given to the Training Group which then meets to approve the Centre.

    5. Criteria for being a Training Centre

    1. Presence of one or more persons approved as trainers by the Training Group.
    2. The holding should be either:
      1. Demeter certified and have a good track record
      2. In conversion and managed by an approved and experienced biodynamic practitioner
      3. Managed biodynamically to a standard recognised by the Training Group
    3. A specific focus on agriculture, horticulture or sylviculture is possible so long as neighbouring biodynamic farms/gardens can supplement the learning experience.

    Criteria for being a trainer

    1. At least 5 years of practical biodynamic experience is required or at the discretion of the Training Group
    2. An ability to teach/guide apprentices

    Support for Trainers

    Trainers are encouraged to join the Biodynamic Association Training Group. This group meets several times a year and as well as being the administrative organ of the Apprenticeship Learning programme, it provides an important opportunity for collegiate working among trainers. It is a forum for making improvements, sharing concerns and reporting on progress. Apart from this nationwide group there are regional groups bringing together trainers in a particular region. These meet more frequently and rotate around the different centres in the region. In these meetings it is possible to have more intimate discussion including student reviews. Further support is offered through the farm visits now required as part of Quality Assurance. Occasional training events for trainers are also arranged which take place for one or two days and allow for more in-depth discussions on key training issues.

    Costs

    The costs involved for each centre change slightly between centres according to their facilities. A centre is required to provide an apprentice with accommodation and meals and most of them give a small weekly allowance. Many trainers feel it a privilege and a duty to help train the future farmers and growers. Other costs are: £100 joining fee, there is an annual subscription fee of £150. In addition, centres pay for the apprentice's courses and seminars. Again, these vary from place to place.

    Each training centres independently manages its own accounts and some centres choose to absorb the apprentice's fees or part of them.

    How to

    Information about becoming a centre or initial application can be made to Nir Halfon  apprentice co-ordinator(nirhalfon (at) biodynamic.orguk) or Peter van vliet chair of the training group (petervvliet (at) googlemailcom)