Wayleave Officer Training Programmes

Our Wayleave Officer Training Programmes, designed and delivered by experts in the field, are offered both online and face-to-face.

With a blended learning approach adopted, which includes discussion of real-life case studies, our range of programme courses enable Wayleave Officers to develop the skills and understanding needed to deliver best practice.

Foundation Training Programme

A typically one-day course, our Foundation Training Programme provides delegates with the foundational skills and understanding to allow them to develop and nurture fair and transparent working relationships with their clients and other stakeholders, resulting in the timely and effective management of compensation claims. 

The course introduces delegates to the practices of the modern agricultural industry, outlining the nuances of the various commodity prices, working methods, profitability and the crop and property values listed against reasonable damage and loss.

The principles and convention surrounding negotiation and arbitration will also be outlined to delegates, with real-life case studies employed to highlight the issues which affect landowners, tenants, agents and managers and how these may be resolved.

Intermediate Training Programme

A typically one-and-a-half-day course, our Intermediate Training Programme builds on the foundation laid by our Foundation Training Programme.

With an emphasis on the importance of developing working relationships with clients and other stakeholders, delegates will enhance their professional understanding and competencies in order to ensure claims are managed effectively, resolving issues rapidly and protecting business relationships and reputations.

Advanced Training Programme

Advanced Training Programme courses can be arranged by request with bespoke content.

Training Programme Highlights

Experienced course leader at a leading land-based university

Tom Overbury is a highly esteemed academic in the field of agriculture and agricultural engineering at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), as well as beef and arable farmer, with over 40 years of teaching experience.

The RAU has been at the forefront of agricultural education and a key contributor to the land-based sector for more than 175 years. Over half the research we carry out has been assessed as ‘world-leading and international in quality’ by the Research Excellence Framework (2021).

Tom’s delivery of our Training Programmes is supported by external speakers, which include professional land agents and estate agents.

Farm Visit

There will be a farm visit to the university farm and other agricultural establishments, to further support delegates' understanding of course topics.

Convenient course delivery

We offer our course face-to-face (residentially) and also online (live delivery including a virtual farm visit) over typically one to three days. A hybrid of face-to-face and online delivery is also available.

We adopt a blended learning approach, combining lecture-delivered theory with discussion of real-life examples and site visits (physically or remotely).

With our Foundation Training Programme aimed at delegates with little to no previous background experience or knowledge of wayleaves, our focus is on promoting understanding, with the course pitched at an appropriate level. Our Intermediate and Advanced Training Programmes build on course topics explored in our Foundation Training Programme.

More about the Course Leader

Photo of Tom Overbury

Since 1983, Tom Overbury has lectured within the School of Agriculture at the RAU, including as a Principal Lecturer. He has previously managed the University’s mixed farms and when not lecturing, runs his own 150-hectare beef and arable farm.

He has extensive research experience in the design and development of various machines and systems for scrub and weed control on conservation grazing sites and is a member of the Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgr.E), vice-chairing the Western Branch.

Apply today

For more information, including our next Training Programme dates, to book a place or to request a call back to talk about your specific requirements, please get in touch via our Professional Development Enquiry Form.

Our next open course dates are:

  • 11 - 12 February 2025 - Wayleave Officer Training Foundation Course (Online), £400 + VAT per delegate
  • 18 - 20 February 2025 - Wayleave Officer Training Intermediate Course (Online), £600 + VAT per delegate
  • 14 - 16 April 2025 - Wayleave Officer Training Foundation and Intermediate Course (Residential), £1,500 + VAT (includes 2 nights of accommodation on campus) 

Do you have a Continued Professional Development Enquiry?