Youth

Kelvin Valley & Falkirk LEADER are holding a series of drop-in sessions this spring.

These sessions are drop-in events at a local level across the Kelvin Valley & Falkirk area and LEADER will be joined by local funders at each event.

Attendees will be able to discuss project ideas with LEADER staff and LAG members and also with the other funding organisations. They will also be able to find out information on how to apply and our forthcoming deadlines.

The dates and venues for the drop-in sessions are:

The new West Lothian LEADER programme will officially launch on 17 March at SRUC Oatridge College Campus.

The West Lothian LEADER programme will see £2.17 million invested in community-led local development in rural West Lothian.

Talented trainees were recognised at the recent Lantra Scotland's Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year Awards ceremony.

These annual awards celebrate trainees, Modern Apprentices, students and pupils, teachers, tutors, training providers and schools involved in the rural sectors.

Nineteen Scottish Young Farmers will be travelling to New Zealand later this year to learn more about the country's farming operations.

The visit will give the young farmers an opportunity to find out how New Zealand farms without subsidies and continues to record the youngest age of farmer.

The trip has been organised by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs (SAYFC) Agri and Rural Affairs Committee and will focus on the theme of succession.  

Agri & Rural Chair Sarah Allison said:

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced that more opportunities for the next generation of farmers are to be created using public land.

Mr Lochhead last year set up an expert group to maximise the use of publically owned land to help farmers of the future to start their careers.

A new Modern Apprenticeship in Rural Skills, developed by the sector skills council Lantra, is now available.

A Modern Apprentice (MA) is an employee who is paid a wage and learns from the skills and experience of people around them whilst gaining skills and working towards a nationally recognised Scottish Vocational Qualification.

A free trade stand at this year's Scottish Game Fair is the prize in a new competition for young entrepreneurs.

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Game Fair's Young Innovator competition is offering a free trade stand at the July event and other business opportunities to one innovative business.  

They are looking for products and services that benefit or support game conservation or management.