Black Isle Farmers Society bursary is great opportunity for 21-year-old HGV driver from Muir of Ord
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A YOUNG HGV driver is encouraging other young people from farming backgrounds on the Black Isle to check out what a bursary could do to get them on track.
Carrie Hamilton (21), of Muir of Ord, applied for the the Black Isle Farmers' Society's Bursary in 2021 to fund part of the costs of her training as an HGV driver.
Miss Hamilton, who now works full-time as an admin at the Dingwall Mart, said the scheme was really helpful in getting through all the stages to fully qualify to work for hauling companies – for which she had to invest more than £3000.
She said: "The scheme really helped me – during Covid I didn't have a full-time job so I didn't have much money behind me to cover the expenses.
"More people should see the opportunity, it's something I'd say you should definitely go for. "
"I would really encourage anyone who needs financial support to apply."
RELATED: 'Get in quick call' as deadline for Black Isle bursary is set
For her training, she had to pass tests to obtain a class 2 licence and a class 1 (called Artic) –in between she had to travel to Leeds given the lack of availability of training facilities in Scotland at that time due to Covid restrictions. She also had training in Elgin to complete her qualification.
She said that getting into the industry as a young woman can feel quite intimidating, however she has received a lot of support so far.
She said: "There are not many women doing this job. When you are a woman and pass the test, it can feel quite scary and you wonder if you are actually going to be accepted in the industry. In my case, however, everyone has been really supportive. The people that I drive for are always available to help."
Coming from a farming background, Miss Hamilton said she has always been interested in lorries – with her grandad working on a farm which also had a haulage company, she was exposed to large vehicles from a young age and that's where her interest started to grow.
She said: "When I turned 18 I was looking into funding and I found Black Isle Farmers' Society's Bursary. I applied for it and I got £800 towards HGV training.
"It was quite a quick response - the deadline was at the end of March and I think I heard back by June/July time."
At the moment, she is working night or weekend shifts with haulage companies – among which Stornoway-based M D Mackay.
She said that although she still enjoys her job at the mart – for which she has been working since her teens – she hopes in the future to gain more experience as a full-time haulage driver.
The Black Isle Farmers’ Society Bursary is open to young people between the ages of 16-26 seeking qualifications in farming or agriculturally related subject. Applications are invited from those who live, study or work in the Highlands and Islands or have strong connections to the area.
The deadline for this years scheme is April 15.
More information can be found on the Black Isle Show's website.
NEED TO KNOW: What is the bursary and how can you apply?
Applications for a bursary award are geared at young people to study and gain qualifications in a farming or agriculturally related subject are open. Courses can be either educational or vocational.
The Black Isle Farmers’ Society Bursary is open to young people between the ages of 16-26 and applications are invited from those who live, study or work in the Highlands and Islands or have strong connections to the area.
David McKenzie, President for the Society said: “We are delighted to be continuing with the bursary scheme. In 2022 we made eight awards and we are looking forward to seeing what applications come in this year. Since the Bursary Scheme started we have made over 50 awards.
"Examples of the types of areas that the bursary has been awarded for include, land management studies, veterinary medicine courses, HGV licences, and sheep shearing courses to name but a few, chainsaw courses, etc. Full details of how to apply and the conditions can be found on the Black Isle Show website, however we want to ensure that people know that they only have until April 15 to apply.”
The Black Isle Farmers' Society Bursary is open to young people between the ages of 16 -26 years that is, between their 16th and 26th birthdays at the closing date of 15 April 2023. Applications are invited from people who live, study or work in the Highlands and Islands or have strong connections to the area.
• Applications are invited from individuals only
• Previous applicants can apply each year subject to the qualifying criteria • Applicants applying for assistance with travel related projects or larger amounts may be required to complete a further form and/or may be required to attend an interview. Successful recipients of larger awards will be asked to give a presentation to a meeting of Society members i.e. Annual General Meeting, Trophy Presentation event, President's Dinner
• Successful applicants will need to present evidence of how they have benefited from the award. Applicants will also be required to make a short video clip telling how they have benefited from the award which will be used for promoting the bursary in future years.
• In addition, successful applicants will have to have an involvement in Black Isle Farmers' Society events and activities during the year most especially the Black Isle Show on the first Thursday in August each year.
Awards will be made subject to availability of funds. Awards will be made at the discretion of the Bursary Panel and each application will be treated on its own merits. There will be two main areas of award Vocational and Educational.
Examples:
• Agriculture
• Agri-Business
• Agricultural Engineering
• Agri-Food
• Animal Science
• Diversification Projects
• IT and innovative projects
• Countryside Management
• Land Management
• Rural Environment
• Training Courses for Spraying Ticket; Forklift Ticket; Trailer Ticket; Vertebrate Control
Please note that the above list is not exhaustive. If you think that your particular course, award or training will fit in with either Vocational or Educational please apply.
Previous awards have been for trailer tests; Veterinary Science Studies; Forklift Training; Potato Roguing Courses etc.
CONDITIONS OF AWARDS
The Society reserve the right to pay any award in installments, and should this be deemed appropriate they will advise successful applicants as necessary.
Awards should be used by the end of March 2024, and the Society will monitor this. Any extension to this period is solely at the discretion of the society.
The society reserve the right to recall all or part of the funding awarded if the conditions of the award are not met.
Find out more here.
