Investing in Elan Valley
Elan Valley provides opportunities for people to develop, build confidence and learn new skills. This project will bring real improvements to the lives of people most in need by supporting the engagement and integration of those furthest from the job market back into education and training. This will be a series of activities over the next two to five years, providing a mix of introductory and progression opportunities to learn in woodlands. All of the work carried out during these courses will actively improve the natural environment of Elan Valley and people’s access to it.
Three-month fully accredited training courses will be delivered twice each year. In addition, there will be two progression opportunities per year, which will be five-day, intensive training courses, offering experiences in different woodland career strands.
Tir Coed will use its expertise to take the lead on the delivery and development of this project. Its courses have had a positive effect on people who experience major emotional and social barriers, debilitating levels of anxiety, stress and low self-worth.
Two three-month long training courses will be held each year, where participants can gain Agored Cymru accreditation (Level 1 – 2). These will benefit groups including young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), young offenders, under-employed (due to seasonal and low-skilled work available in rural areas) and unemployed. All of the work carried out during these training courses will actively improve the natural environment of the Elan Valley and people’s access to it.
There will also be two focused progression opportunities per year. These five-day intensive training courses will offer experiences in different woodland career strands. The following areas will be offered:
- Mechanised forestry
- Social forestry
- Ecology
- Traditional crafts
- Timber frame construction
- Wood fuel
Over the course of the five years, the aim is for 160 people to grain experience and training.
To find out more on these courses, contact Gayle Atherfold-Dudley