A PIONEERING skills programme created in Devon is being rolled out nationally after achieving success with learners, businesses and local producers.

Devon County Council’s Train4Tomorrow programme has supported the development of the UK’s first Regenerative Hospitality Skills Bootcamp, which is now being adapted for delivery beyond the county.

The innovative course was created through a partnership between The Bull Inn and The Apricot Centre, bringing together hospitality, farming and sustainability to provide learners with practical skills for the future.

The programme aims to help people build careers in sustainable hospitality while supporting businesses to respond to changing workforce and environmental challenges.

Following its success in Devon, the training has been adapted for delivery in London later this year, with further courses planned in Devon from September.

The expansion demonstrates how a locally developed initiative is helping to influence skills development on a wider scale.

Devon County Council said the programme reflects its commitment to supporting industry-led training that meets the needs of employers, strengthens the local economy and contributes to environmental resilience.

Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, said the national expansion was recognition of the impact of the initiative.

‘It is fantastic to see a course developed in Devon being adapted for delivery elsewhere’, he said.

‘By connecting hospitality, farming and sustainability, it is helping people gain valuable skills while supporting local businesses and producers.

‘The fact that this approach is now being adopted beyond Devon is a real endorsement of the innovation behind it and the positive impact it is having here in the county’.

Rachel Phillips, Director of The Apricot Centre, said the programme demonstrated the benefits of collaboration between councils, educators, farmers and hospitality businesses.

‘The Regenerative Hospitality courses have been developed and delivered through a partnership between No Bull Learning at The Bull Inn and The Apricot Centre CIC, with funding from South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council, and Devon County Council through the Train4Tomorrow initiative’, she said.

‘This collaboration is a fantastic example of councils investing in rural skills for rural Devon, bringing together education, farming and hospitality to develop the skills needed for a more resilient local economy’.

The Skills Bootcamp forms part of Train4Tomorrow, Devon County Council’s programme of free, flexible courses designed to help people gain in-demand skills and progress their careers.

The project also supports the aims of the Devon Food Partnership, hosted by Devon County Council, which brings together organisations, businesses and communities to develop a more local, resilient and prosperous food system across the county.