The total regional land-based workforce is an estimated 121,740, although this figure may underestimate levels of migrant and casual workers.  Employment in the region is concentrated in: agricultural livestock (29.2%); landscape (17.1%); agricultural crops (14.1%); and production horticulture (12.9%).

There are approximately 73,000 businesses operating wholly or principally in the land-based sector.

Key statistics on the region:

• 98.3% of businesses employ less than 10 people or no staff
• 67.6% of the workforce are staff, 32.4% are proprietors
• 39.2% of the workforce are aged 25-44 years (compared to 47% in all sectors)
• 45.4% aged over 45 years (compared to 38% in all sectors)
• 70.2% of the workforce are male (compared to 54.2% in all sectors)
• most common annual business turnover is £158,376
• 6.7% of businesses report vacancies
• hard-to-fill and skills shortage vacancies are low
• 1.3% of the workforce have skills gaps

Businesses in the region need the following skills: communication (86.5%); numeracy (85.9%); and literacy (84%). 

Education and training providers in the region offer both full-time and part-time learning, work-based learning, technical skill development and continuing professional development courses.  44.5% of establishments report that general training courses are available to the workforce.  Of those establishments that access training courses, 18.3% report that they use qualifications, 50% use certificated training and 28.3% use un-certified training courses.

In the West Midlands, there is a 100% total national enrolment for work-based farriery courses, making it the most heavily funded and demanded industry for work-based learning in the region.

In 2003/04, there were 789 enrolments on environmental and land-based sector related higher education courses.

Key drivers in the region:

• the formation of several Biomass groups to address an increasing need for bio-fuel crops
• the West Midlands Farming and Food Team, the Green Grocer Project and the Heart of England Fine Foods projects to ensure that the region is at the forefront of encouraging and promoting local produce

Source: Lantra West Midlands Region Consultation 2005

For data on regional workforce by industry see:

Distribution of Lantra workforce in the West Midlands, 2005