Deadline looms for EDF Renewables Corriemoillie education and training fund bids from Ross-shire communities; People in Contin, Garve and District, Lochbroom, Marybank, Scatwell and Strathconon, and Strathpeffer eligible to pitch for wind farm fund cash
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A POWER company is encouraging individuals and organisations from small Ross-shire communities to tap into valuable funding.
EDF Renewables’ Corriemoillie education and training fund, named after its 17 turbine, 47.5 megawatt wind farm near Garve, is open to applications from individuals, small businesses, voluntary and third sector organisations.
With an application deadline of January 11, the community council areas where financial help can be sourced are: Contin, Garve and District, Lochbroom, Marybank, Scatwell and Strathconon, and Strathpeffer.
Support packages are designed to help firms cover the costs of training, apprenticeships or business mentoring, while individuals can receive financial assistance for education, training or apprenticeship opportunities.
Grants can also cover travel costs, fees, equipment, accommodation costs or childcare.
Fund co-ordinator Marion McDonald said: “Decisions will be made in mid-March after this January deadline.
“It is a great opportunity for people to think about their training needs and what might help them improve their employment prospects, particularly after this really difficult year.”
The Fund supports a wide range of training from short courses to degree level courses – and any others that helps people enrich their skills and employability.
Another aim is to retain jobs in the area.
Previous funding recipients include Strathpeffer Golf Club which received an award for essential staff training in manual handling and first aid.
The Fund has helped a wide range of individuals, including Garve resident Jemima Kirkwood who received a grant award which enabled her to learn the traditional skill of kilt-making.
She said: “I’m extremely grateful that the EDF Corriemoillie Education and Training fund enabled me to undertake a course in bespoke kilt-making - a skill I have wanted to learn for years.
“The pressures of life and work can often take over our passions, but the grant helped me re-visit what I love, and has hopefully opened doors to a future in keeping this heritage skill alive.
“I plan to continue my learning and master the art, which I’ve heard takes a great deal of work, but now I have learnt the basic skills I can only go forward from here.”
Merlin Planterose from Ullapool was supported with costs for an HNC qualification in childhood practice.
She said: “As a mother who has not been working for most of the past five years, it has been fantastic to have the support from the EDF Fund to follow a new career path.” She set up Kinder Croft outdoor nursery in Ullapool last year and the HNC will qualify her as a childcare practitioner.
Information on how to apply is available at: https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/corriemoille-education-and-training/ or from fund managers Foundation Scotland on 0131-5240300.
