All NRoSO and BASIS members now have the opportunity to earn eight points by taking part in a new online Annual Training Course. The move follows the cancellation of all face-to-face events due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
City & Guilds and the NRoSO board are ensuring members can continue their essential training and gain points by moving to the scheme, which can be accessed at www.eioperator.com.
The course content, supplied by the same team as the Annual Training Event, will be very similar to the face-to-events. Operators will be able to choose between an Arable or Fruit version of the course, both providing eight NRoSO or BASIS points, at a cost of £30.
Robert Lockhart, chairman of the NRoSO board, said while face-to-face training had to be cancelled, it’s important operators can still access this important CPD training resource for their continuous professional development (CPD) training.
“Many operators rely on the NRoSO Annual Training Event to gain their required CPD points. Regardless of the Covid-19 crisis, farming continues and operators still need to keep up to date with industry changes as well as comply with crop assurance requirements.
“This is why we have worked hard to continue to provide our members with the chance to meet their CPD commitment and gain their points in the most effective way. While we acknowledge online learning will not suit all operators, we have worked hard to make the course as easily accessible as possible for the vast majority of people,” he explained.
The Annual Training course is available now until the 30th June 2021. NRoSO members can sign up at any time in this period and have until the 31st August to complete the course. The course is expected to take around two hours, but operators can take a break and return to the course at any time.
What’s in the course?
The Arable course is divided into four main ‘lessons’:
Current Issues
- Update the latest approvals and water protection.
Tests and training
- NSTS test results and tips to pass first time
- Qualifications required to operate machine-mounted applicators
- Best practice filling and mixing
- Best practice rinsing and cleaning
- Droplet sizes – retention, penetration and drift
- Nozzle selection advice.
Prevent pest trouble in store
- Safe and effective ways to control in-store pests
- Store pest identification
- Rodent control measures and responsible rodenticide use.
Safe and legal on the road
- Road law and licence requirements
- Trailer tests, widths, weight and speed limits
- Roadworthiness requirements
- Emergency procedures.
A dedicated Fruit version offers three lessons, including two designed specifically for operators working in this specialist sector.
Current Issues
- Update on the latest approvals for products used in fruit
- Water protection advice
- Rodent control measures and responsible rodenticide use.
Foliar nutrient use and application
- In depth information on foliar nutrients
- Identification of nutrient deficiency or excess
- Foliar nutrient functions and uptake
- Use and application advice.
Biopesticide use and application
- What are biopesticides and how they work
- Legislation
- Benefits of biopesticides
- Practical considerations and IPM
