The total regional land-based workforce is an estimated 61,121, but this figure may underestimate levels of employment of migrant and casual workers.

There are approximately 11,468 businesses operating wholly or principally in the land-based sector.  The majority of businesses in the region are in food production.  Agricultural crops, livestock production and production horticultural businesses make up more than 65% of the businesses and 68% of the workforce are within these industries.  Animal care accounts for 6.9% of regional and is an important industry within the context of social inclusion and voluntary work.

Key statistics on the region:

• 91% of businesses employ less than 10 people or no staff
• 66.1% of the workforce are staff, 33.9% are proprietors
• 33.9% of the workforce are aged 25-44 years
• 46% aged over 45 years (compared to 38.3% in all sectors)
• 66.4% of the workforce are male (compared to 53.8% in all sectors)
• most common annual business turnover is £100,000
• 14.5% of businesses report vacancies

Businesses in the region need the following skills: literacy (81%); numeracy (82%); and communication skills (71%).  Over the next few years communication skills will be needed at a higher level.

At present many skill gaps and skill shortage vacancies are in the technical and management areas.

49.7% of establishments report that general training courses are available to the workforce.  Of those establishments that access training courses, 21.1% report qualification courses, 47.4% use certificated training, and 23.7% use un-certificated training courses.

Within the East Midlands the network of private training providers continue to deliver many short courses and legislative training.

In the region, there are over 300 programmes and awards delivered to (and accessed by) the sector which lie outside of the National Qualification Framework.  In 2003/04, there were 996 enrolments on environmental and land-based sector related higher education courses.  Fisheries management has a significant number of enrolments (16%), followed by floristy (10%).

Key drivers in the region:

• within the forestry industry the drive to develop economically viable and well managed woodlands is leading to the development of alternative uses of forestry products
• urban regeneration will drive up demand for more rangers and parks staff

Source: Lantra East Midlands Region Consultation 2005

For data on regional workforce by industry see:

Distribution of Lantra workforce in the East Midlands, 2005