Education and Training bursaries continue to make an impact in Scottish Borders
The Langhope Rig Wind Farm Education and Training Fund has awarded its 20th bursary, aimed at supporting individuals wishing to enhance their employment opportunities in the Scottish Borders. The latest award brings the funding total to just under £20,000.
The fund, which is provided by Greencoat UK Wind and administered by Foundation Scotland, provides bursaries to residents in Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem, Upper Teviotdale and Borthwick Water. Funding of up to £2,800 is available to individuals to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to gain or retain employment.
One recipient of a bursary was Patrick, who was accepted to study Aero Engineering at Strathclyde University. Since he was young, Patrick had always dreamed of working within the Aero or Green Renewables industries.
In his final year of Selkirk High School, he applied to a number of universities and was offered a place at the University of Strathclyde to undertake a Masters in Aero-Mechanical Engineering.
He successfully applied for an Education and Training bursary to purchase a high-specification laptop to support the software programmes he would need throughout his five-year course. Read more here
Another bursary recipient, Eden, gained a much sought-after place at Cambridge University to study Engineering.
However, given that it was so far from home and incurred substantial living and equipment costs, he was worried that he may not be able to afford to take up the place at all. Fortunately he heard about the Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund, applied for a grant to support with his accommodation and equipment costs, and was awarded a multi-year grant, taking him one step closer to making his dream of Cambridge University come true. Read more here
Oscar remained closer to the Borders and was offered a place at Borders College, Galashiels to study Level Six BASE Mountain Biking Course. Oscar started mountain biking at 12, and when he was 14 he started racing and gradually entered into the world of an amateur mountain bike discipline called Enduro.
During his amateur racing, he started considering his future in terms of entering into professional racing and longer-term career aspirations. It was at this point he decided to apply for the BASE Mountain Biking Course at Borders College in Galashiels, supported by a grant from the Education and Training fund. Oscar used his award to purchase the mountain biking equipment he would need to ride and perform safely during his two-year course. Read more here
Finally, David applied for a grant to complete a City and Guilds Level 3 Award in the In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (PAT). David owns his own handyman and landscaping business, but due to the constant bad weather the Scottish Borders has experienced recently, David’s business has been badly affected.
He wanted to keep the business going but knew in order to do so, he would have to look for supplementary employment. David noticed a gap in the market for a qualitied PAT tester within the Scottish Borders and applied to the Education and Training Fund to help with course costs and travel.
Having this extra qualification will mean that he can offer more services to locals and, in the future, offer employment to others. Read more here
The Langhope Rig Wind Farm Education and Training Fund was established in 2022, at the request of the local panel of residents who oversaw the Langhope Rig Community Benefit Fund, which had been running since 2017. The Community Benefit Fund had been supporting projects which focussed on community spirit, access to services, the local economy, community capacity and community assets. The panel decided that they wanted to do more with the funds, and so established a new pathway to support local educational and training aspirations, aimed at improving the opportunities and livelihoods of people living within the Fund area.
Bursaries are predominantly awarded for courses which lead to formal and recognised qualifications. However, funding is also considered if an applicant can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support with securing or retaining a job. The Langhope Rig Wind Farm Education and Training Fund awards are shining examples of how long-term employment and career aspirations can be realised.
Niome Lucjan, Community Funds Advisor for Foundation Scotland said:
It is truly inspirational to see so many positive stories being told by local Scottish Borders residents. The Fund has played a small part in their journey, and it has been a privilege to be a part of the grant making process. Foundation Scotland wishes all Grantees every success for the future.