Footpath Skills Training Course
This training course, the first of its kind in the area, has now been completed thanks to funding from the HLF, Lochaber College UHI and a number of other partners, including the European Social Fund and HIE Lochaber. Lochaber College UHI’s Employability division managed the project, at the heart of which was a six-month long intensive training programme for nine students, working on real maintenance/construction projects in the Nevis area and surrounding countryside.
The project was developed to respond to the need for a local, skilled labour force in the growing path industry and the achievements of the candidates reflect the success of the course. To date, four students have gone directly into work with local path contractor Pathology; one is in full time employment with Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park; another is in full time education with Gaming Keeping at North Highland College and yet another is working locally with the Forestry Commission on cycle tracks in Strontian.
The students were also successful in delivering a number of community projects, including the building of dry stone walls at Upper Achintore Primary School and a path for Ballachulish Nursery Group.
On 12 June, at an event on “the Ben” (and in the Ben Nevis Inn!) held to showcase the course, leading trainer, Chris Harris, commented: “It’s great for the students to be so proud and show-off their hard work, and really let those involved at various levels, whether financially or with placements, see how they have helped in their own way. It endorses the need for, and the benefits of partnership working.” Following the success of the project, the College hopes to run further courses in the very near future.