Brief History of the Project

The project arose after consultations with the 24 Park communities in which residents highlighted a shortage of Electrical, Plumbing and Construction services and a lack of training and job opportunities for young people.

A feasibility study showed that the National Park lagged the rest of Scotland in the ratio of apprentices to tradesmen and positive intervention was recommended to remove the barriers to employing apprentices and improve the supply of training places. A business/apprentice support project was established to run in two linking phases the first of which is about two thirds complete and involves a Business Development Officer providing advice and support to small trade businesses throughout the Park and encouraging them to take on an apprentice in 2008. Phase 2 will start in June or July 2008 and will provide financial and other support to businesses and their  apprentices preceded by a short period of “Taster Training” –an innovative  concept about the process  and intended to reduce the chance of “fallout” at a later date.  Funding for Phase 2 is being sought from individual sponsors-mainly commercial companies who are committing to provide £7000 over the 4 year period of the modern apprenticeship. We have funding now to support 15 businesses and 15 apprentices. We need also to employ a manager for Phase 2 who will monitor progress over the 4 year period, liaise with sponsors, develop the project further and organise the final report.

Modest administration assistant costs are already incorporated into the £7000 package per business/apprentice supported.