Landbased Industries Support Service

Resources

LISS Events & Activities

Some of the events and activities which LISS has been involved in since launching in January 2005 are listed below. For more information on any of these, or if you wish to discuss a proposal for a joint activity with LISS, contact enquiries@liss-scotland.org.uk:


"Greening hostile environments"
Joint LISS/BALI/Inturf seminar for landscapers and amenity horticulturists (9 October 2008)

This seminar jointly organised by Oatridge College, BALI and turf grower Inturf attracted more than 70 delegates. Landscapers, grounds maintenance professionals, local authority managers and garden designers came to listen to speakers talk about creating and maintaining biodiversity and the important role of turf in the landscape. The event, which was the launch pad for Inturf's new Scottish operation based at Bathgate, also featured a practical demonstration of turf installation on one of Oatridge's golf greens using turf kindly supplied by Inturf.

Download the Powerpoint presentations given by speakers at the seminar by clicking on the following links :-

Planting for biodiversity (Stan Whitaker, Biodiversity Implementation Team Leader, Scottish Biodiversity Forum, Scottish Natural Heritage)
Inturf in the landscape (Stephen Edwards, Joint Managing Director, Inturf)
Sustainability of grasses in hostile locations (Brian Robinson, Director of Seed Research, Rigby Taylor)
Day in the life of a landscaping student (Ann Burns, Horticulture & Landscaping Team Leader,  Oatridge College)

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LISS identified as "Sector-Leading and Innovative Practice" by HMI

In the HMI report on Oatridge College published on March 21, LISS has been praised for assisting start-ups, encouraging continuing training, skills audits, advising on diversification and facilitating networking between employers and industry bodies, and promoting knowledge transfer. Click on the link below to read the full Press Release :

Oatridge College praised for "sector-leading and innovative practice"

In October 2007 LISS also prepared a report for HMI into employer engagement actvities at Oatridge College. Click on the link below to read the report :

LISS report - "Employer Engagement in Landbased Education & Training at Oatridge College"

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"Getting it Right - Keeping Your Business Ahead of the Competition "

Joint LISS & BALI seminar for landscapers and amenity horticulturists (6 March 2008)

Keeping up to date and competitive was the name of the game at a successful event organised for landscapers and amenity horticulturists at Oatridge College on March 6.

The half-day seminar organised by LISS and BALI Scotland (the British Association of Landscape Industries) attracted more than 80 delegates, who listened to the latest updates on negotiating contracts, pesticides and weed control, green waste composting, using wildflower seed mixes to improve biodiversity, and training and skills development. There was even a tree planting demonstration at the interval organised by Bellwood Trees, who kindly donated a large pine specimen for the occasion. Rigby Taylor Ltd, one of the largest suppliers of pesticides, fertilisers and sundries for the amenity sector, also kindly contributed sponsorship towards the buffet lunch provided.It is hoped that if demand exists the Oatridge seminar may become a regular fixture in the landscaping calendar, and it may even be possible to run similar networking events for the sector in other parts of Scotland.

Feedback from those who took part in the seminar has been very positive, suggesting that technical updating and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is seen as vital by landscapers, designers and others in the amenity industry who want to stay ahead of the competition.

Download the Powerpoint presentations given by speakers at the seminar by clicking on the following links:-

Solving contract problems - a "How to" guide  (Gillian Craig, MacRoberts)
Solving contract problems - a "How to" Guide (information handout) (Gillian Craig, MacRoberts)
Pesticides and herbicides - what's in and what's not  (Andrew Robinson, Rigby Taylor Ltd )
Could your business make money from Green Waste?  (Donald Wemyss, WRAP)
Biodiversity from the roots up  (Giles Laverack, Scotia Seeds)
Training the next generation of landscapers - a look ahead (1)   (Ann Burns, Oatridge College)
Training the next generation of landscapers - a look ahead (2)   (Mary Mitchell, Lantra)

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“Investigating the Learning Preferences of Landbased Businesses”

A study conducted by LISS and funded by the
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (2007-08)

This study seeks the views of employers and sole traders working in the landbased industries on how best Oatridge College can tailor the delivery of its training to meet business needs more effectively. Central to the study was an Online Survey which was completed by over 100 landbased SMEs. The results will be included in the Final Report which is due for completion in May 2008. This will identify if online learning methods have a role to play in Continuous Professional Development for businesses in rural and remote areas, or where employers find it difficult to spare time away from the business. It will also outline the wider learning preferences of businesses, and invite further input from employers on possible solutions designed to help improve access to skills/knowledge updating and business development training.

For more information on the study, click on the following:

Overview of Oatridge study into online learning (PDF)

Press release: “LISS warning over lack of training" (PDF)

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"Skills, Sustainability and Rural Development:
Challenges & Opportunities for the Landbased Industries"

Joint LISS & Lantra conference (6 February 2007)

In February 2007 more than 100 delegates attended a major conference organised by LISS and Lantra on the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s landbased industries heard a remarkably upbeat assessment of the health of the rural economy. If you would like to view the presentations given by the speakers and workshop facilitators click on the links below.

  • Jim Mullen, Managing Director, Larder Bytes Ltd
    Larder Bytes is a local food supply and distribution company demonstrating how business sustainability and environmental sustainability go hand-in-hand. Jim Mullen explains how Larder Bytes has tapped into a market for locally-grown, high quality food produce, which is not only successful but is helping the sustainability of local farmers and growers and the wider environment. Download Powerpoint
  • Moira Parker, Agricultural Partner, Clydesdale Bank
    The Clydesdale Bank works with many landbased businesses across Scotland, providing a range of tailored business and financial services for its rural clients. Moira Parker, an Agricultural Partner with the Clydesdale Bank based in Dalkeith, gives employers advice and tips on how to approach the banks for finance to support enterprise development or diversification. Download Powerpoint

Conference Press releases:
Release, December 2006
A conference early next year at Oatridge College in West Lothian is to hear details of a
plan for a Scotland-wide home delivery service...download the PDF here

Release, January 2007
The keynote speaker at next month’s landbased industries “summit” at Oatridge College is to tell delegates to expect a “seismic shift” in the sector, following the recent review of rural development by the Scottish Executive....download the PDF here

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Exploring international markets for Oatridge College - Bulgaria (27 Nov - 1 Dec 2006)

The second of two exploratory business missions to Bulgaria by LISS, organised by Business Gateway International (Edinburgh & Lothians)

Oatridge College is investigating overseas markets for its education, training and other services. The new EU member states in central & eastern Europe are one focus of this investigation. This second visit to Bulgaria was carried out by LISS and involved meetings with a number of Bulgarian organisations and businesses over a 4 day period. The visit was part-funded by Business Gateway International. For details of the programme of meetings undertaken by LISS click on the link below:

Meetings programme - BGIL Bulgaria mission (27 Nov - 1 Dec 2006)

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West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards 2006

LISS is "Commended" as the runner-up in two award categories (24 November 2006)

The achievements of LISS were recognised when the project received awards at the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards 2006 at Houston House Hotel, Uphall. LISS was "Commended" as the runner-up in both the "Innovation" and "Customer Service" categories.

In November 2006 LISS was also nominated under the award for "External Customer Service" at the SFEU Scotland's Colleges Annual Awards 2006.

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Independent Evaluation of LISS (2005-06)

LISS was the subject of an independent evaluation conducted in August 2006

To download the evaluation report and annexes click on the following links:

Report - LISS Independent Evaluation
Annex 1 - ERDF outputs for the LISS project
Annex 2 - List of events and attendance
Annex 3 - Case studies
Annex 4 - Letters of support

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Oatridge Horse Trials 2006

LISS organises pilot "Scottish Food & Craft Fair" at Oatridge Horse Trials 2006 (10 June 2006)

The Horse Trials was the centrepiece of a celebration of country life, which included a Scottish Food and Craft Fair organised and managed by LISS. This was supported by more than 20 businesses, offering a variety of food, drink and quality items from jewellery to paintings. Among the food available was Threepwood Fayre’s hand-made Scottish confectionary, Achray Farm Baking’s traditional offerings, Heritage Meat and Game’s hog roast and Arbroath Fisheries’ Smokies. Among the craft stalls was Ducks R Us with their range of handcrafted gifts and ornaments, Thistle Jewellers’ Scottish, Irish and Celtic fashion items and Wendy Cole of Pethany Arts with her land and seascapes.
For a list of traders who participated in the event click on the link below:

Oatridge Horse Trials - Scottish Food & Craft Fair (10Jun06)

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“Skills Audits for the Horseracing Industry - a Business Case ”

A report prepared by LISS for Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothians (9 May 2006)

LISS carried out a skills audit of the Scottish horseracing industry in early 2006 on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothians (SEEL). This aimed to chart a possible pathway for future training and development in the horseracing industry. Many Scottish trainers, owners and racecourses were consulted during the study via one-to-one visits and a Skills Audit Questionnaire. For the Final Report click below:

LISS report - Skills Audits for the Horseracing Industry - a Business Case

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“Supporting rural businesses – opportunities for the landbased industries”

Joint LISS & Elmwood College networking seminar (22 March 2006)

A business support seminar, organised jointly by LISS and Elmwood College (Cupar), was held in the Centenary Suite at McDiarmid Park Conference Centre, Perth, on 22 March 2006. The event, which sought to raise awareness of the range of support and assistance available to landbased businesses, was aimed a employers and SMEs based in the Perth and Kinross, Fife and Angus areas.
To view the presentations given by the speakers click on the links below:

Helping Rural Businesses to Grow - the Landbased Industries Support Service  (Chris Wond, Oatridge College)
Elmwood College - Supporting Rural Businesses during a Time of Change  (Ian Pearce, Elmwood College)
Funding your ideas - what's out there?

Farm Business Development Scheme - Rural diversification opportunities  (Christine McLaren and Iain Carmichael, FBDS)
Business Gateway - Business start-up and development  (Herb MacLeod, Business Gateway Angus)
Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust - Helping young entrepreneurs into business  (Catherine Hill, PSYBT Tayside)

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Exploring international markets for Oatridge College - Romania (13 - 16 March 2006)

An exploratory business mission by LISS to investigate opportunities in the Romanian market, organised by Business Gateway International (Edinburgh & Lothians)

Oatridge College is investigating overseas markets for its education, training and other services. The new EU member states in central & eastern Europe are one focus of this investigation. This visit to Romania involved meetings with a number of Romanian organisations and businesses over a 4 day period. The visit was part-funded by Business Gateway International. For details of the programme of meetings undertaken by LISS click on the link below:

Meetings programme - BGIL Romania mission (13 - 16 March 2006)

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Exploring international markets for Oatridge College - Bulgaria (24 - 27 October 2005)

The first of two exploratory business missions to Bulgaria by LISS, organised by Business Gateway International (Edinburgh & Lothians)

Oatridge College is investigating overseas markets for its education, training and other services. The new EU member states in central & eastern Europe are one focus of this investigation. This initial visit to Bulgaria was carried out by LISS and involved meetings with a number of Bulgarian organisations and businesses over a 4 day period. The visit was part-funded by Business Gateway International. For details of the programme of meetings undertaken by LISS click on the link below:

Meetings programme - BGIL Bulgaria mission  (24 - 27 October 2005)

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“Supporting rural businesses – new opportunities for the landbased industries”

Launch of LISS in partnership with West Lothian Chamber of Commerce (4 August 2005)

More than 60 delegates attended the launch seminar at Oatridge College organised in partnership withWest Lothian Chamber of Commerce, and heard Project Manager Chris Wond promise a one-stop-shop for advice and training for both start-ups and established businesses.
To view the presentations given by the speakers click on the links below:

Keynote address: Scottish Enterprise - the Rural Dimension   (David Gass, Scottish Enterprise Borders)
Helping rural businesses to grow - the Landbased Industries Support Service  (Chris Wond, Oatridge College)
Getting started - a first-hand perspective   (Alan Douglas, Lothian Garden Care)
The Chambers of Commerce - working for small businesses   (Brian Wilson, West Lothian College)

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