Education and training fund benefits a record number of individuals
In the last year, a record number of local residents have benefitted from the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Education and Training Fund.
This fund supports individuals and organisations with the costs of education and training that support career aspirations and help to create job opportunities in the fund area. The funded area includes Contin, Garve and District, Lochbroom, Marybank, Scatwell and Strathconon and Strathpeffer.
In the last year, £61,867 has been distributed to a record 74 individual residents, who have been awarded bursaries to help them access education and training courses.
The maximum bursary award is for £1,500 for renewable and STEM-related training, and several awards were made at this level for a range of courses such as degrees in veterinary science, a marine engineering cadetship, and electrician and plumbing modern apprenticeships.
As usual, an incredibly diverse range of courses were supported with some firsts for the fund, including farriery, ear wax removal and the safe use of sheep dips.
Case study: Robert
One of the individuals who was awarded funding was Robert, who received an award of £1,000 to help towards the cost of both the training and assessment elements of a three-day course in 360-degree excavator training.
After a period as a househusband with caring responsibilities, Robert was keen to re-enter the job market. The Scottish Government's commitment of £250 million of funding into the repair of degraded peatlands and the subsequent need for qualified machine operators provided a great opportunity. He already had significant mini digger driving experience, but to be considered for a career in peatland restoration, he was advised that an industry-recognised 360-degree excavator qualification would be required.
Having been awarded the funding, he successfully completed the course and has already been contracted to carry out some in-depth peat surveying with an environmental consultancy firm, which should also lead on to further similar contracts.
Case study: Arwen
A second award was to Arwen, who has had a keen interest in sailing from a young age.
She was keen to further her sailing career, so she applied for funding and was awarded £989 from the fund towards the cost of a five-day Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Instructor course at the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. The internationally recognised qualification will allow Arwen to work abroad, though she hopes to attend University with a sailing club attached before pursuing a career in sailing.
Arwen said:
This Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Instructor qualification has consolidated my knowledge in the sailing rules and regulations supporting the working with young people on the water, and how to handle difficult situations appropriately and safely. This qualification gives me the knowledge and confidence of being a leader in dinghy instruction.
Case study: Jordan
A final example of the Corriemoillie Education and Training Fund in action is through Jordan.
Jordan successfully applied to the fund for costs associated with completing an HND in Photography at Edinburgh College. The £200 went towards the cost of accommodation allowing him to complete the course.
Jordan developed an interest and talent in photography in his spare time and took up volunteer positions taking photos in the alternative music scene. While he had been originally studying animal care, Jordan made the decision to change their educational path and move into photography. Jordan should complete the HND in Photography in May 2025 and hopes to go on to obtain a BA with Honours in Photography.
Jordan said:
This fund shows a long-term commitment to students as they move through their educational pathway. Without EDF funding, I would not have been able to achieve my qualifications to date.
During the first eight years of the fund, 398 bursary awards have been made across the fund area, supporting a total of 330 individuals at least once (76 have been repeat awards, mostly for degree courses). With 74 bursary awards offered this year, this was the highest number of individuals supported in a single year since the fund's launch and demonstrates continued growth in fund awareness and success.
The Corriemoillie Education and Training Fund is a part of the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, which is now in its eighth year of funding. Foundation Scotland continues to support the administration of the area-wide Education and Training fund alongside a panel of residents drawn from the area.
Read more about the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Education and Training Fund.