Description
Virtual Rural Weeks
The Virtual Rural Week (VRW) was developed in 2020 in the face of COVID-19 restrictions. As the first lockdown took hold it was clear our planned Rural Week programme at Bicton College would at least need to be postponed, or very likely cancelled. The success of the Rural Week programme meant many of the 2020 places were already allocated. To enable HighGround to continue providing support to Service Leavers and Veterans, as much content as was reasonable to do so was moved online.
Many aspects of a Rural Week, visits, hands-on and face-to-face interaction clearly cannot be replicated online. However, some subjects are already delivered by presentation during a Rural Week and certain aspects of other subjects could be adapted to present online. Representing circa 70% of Land-Based Sector employment and self-employment opportunities a VRW now covers the following subjects:
Agriculture – Arable and Livestock – www.velcourt.co.uk
Landscaping – Commercial and Domestic – www.bali.org.uk, www.golandscape.co.uk
Rural Estate Management – www.bowleroakfield.co.uk
Arboriculture – www.hi-line.co.uk/training
Forestry – Forestry England, confor.org.uk
Environmental Conservation – www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Heritage Gardening – www.bali.org.uk
A VRW typically runs from Monday to Wednesday three sessions each morning with breaks between each session. The presenters have supported the Rural Week programme previously so understand the information and detail Service Leavers and Veterans require. Equally they will take questions and provide advice.