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Taking ‘Green Action’ for Falkirk’s Youth ‘Green Action’

A new initiative for 16-24 year olds in Falkirk launched Monday 20 July 2009.

Taking ‘Green Action’ for Falkirk’s Youth - ‘Green Action’ – a new initiative for 16-24 year olds in Falkirk launched Monday 20 July 2009.

Left to right: Antony Sweeney (19) from Banknock, who starts the Environmental Green Action programme this week, with Sheryl Wilson, the project support officer from Brightons, and Marie Douglas and Scott Keys, coaches from Glasgow.

The volunteering and employability project will provide opportunities for young people from Falkirk and surrounding rural areas to enrol on an environmental or tourism 12-week volunteer training programme, contributing to the local area and developing their skills for life.

Through the environmental programme, based at the newly built Action Outdoors Activity Centre on the Union Canal in Falkirk, volunteers will receive training from BTCV Scotland [British Trust for Conservation Volunteers] such as landscaping, tree planting, maintenance and gardening. During the tourism programme, based at The Falkirk Wheel, volunteers will become equipped with retail, catering, waterway operations and customer service skills.

“Recent employment statistics highlight the issues ahead for the younger generation in particular. This project will help some of the area’s young people gain knowledge and skills to boost their confidence and to competitively compete in the job market.” said Karen Moore, development director, The Waterways Trust Scotland.

Karen, the lead behind the initiative, knows the importance of programmes for young people and the benefits to be had by the participants and the local community. She added: “The programmes on offer will give the volunteers a focus and increase their self esteem and confidence. They will learn new transferable skills and receive quality training. In addition to the work programme we have included fun outdoor activities which will act as learning experiences in their own right, developing team working and social skills.

“We know that volunteers on the Green Action programme will be able to take their experience and learning, and use it to develop their own job prospects either in tourism or environmental management - giving something back to the area.”

There will be a total of 150 volunteer placements over the two year programme, with 75 volunteer places ring-fenced for young tenants from Linkwide and Paragon Housing Associations.

Green Action has been funded by Linkwide through Wider Role, Voluntary Action Fund and is part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER 2007-2013 Programme.

The volunteers will receive employability support from Falkirk Council Employment Training Unit and further education advice and information about progressing on to Forth Valley College and/or Oatridge College.

This unique programme will offer young people the chance to learn new transferable skills, receive quality training, develop employability skills, access business coaching and possibly secure a place in further education.

As well as the skills part of the programme, the volunteers will also have the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities on the canal itself, such as kayaking, canoeing, cycling, boat building and handling through the Trust’s Action Outdoors Centre.

The project is a collaborative effort between The Waterways Trust Scotland, BTCV Scotland, Action Outdoors, Falkirk Council Employment Training Unit and British Waterways Scotland.