Young jobless get chance to learn traditional rural skills

By Mark Branagan

JOBLESS young people to get opportunities to learn traditional skills under a scheme to persuade those on benefits to head for the great outdoors.

And, unemployed young people aged between 16 and 25 will be able to gain some practical experience of working on the North York Moors as well as the chance of places on an apprenticeship programme.

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The National Park Authority has teamed up with the Prince’s Trust and Askham Bryan College to offer 10 young people three-week placements from March 29 until April 16.

Under the guidance of park and college staff, the programme will include group and individual work, covering basic construction skills and other talents helpful in finding rural or outdoor jobs.

Those taking part will also have the opportunity of interviews for sought-after places on the next modern apprenticeship scheme being run by the park.

The programme is being funded by The Prince’s Trust as part of its “Get Into” programme which offers short vocational courses that develop young people’s skills in specific sectors.

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Among the skills the Trust has been encouraging in Yorkshire include tractor driving, fencing and using chain saws.

Trust programme manager Alison Curnow said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people who are interested in outdoor and rural work to gain useful practical skills and general employability skills as well as potentially opening a door into apprenticeship, further training or employment.”

Park recreation director Richard Gunton said: “Our apprenticeship scheme was set up six years ago in response to a dwindling number of people with countryside management skills and experience.

“Since then it has gone from strength to strength providing young people with an opportunity to live and work locally while ensuring that the North York Moors has a new generation of people with the skills to care for it.”

A “taster day” will be held at the Thirsk Clock on Thursday March 25.