Green Network Training Programme

The environmental and land-based sector offers great opportunities for rewarding and fulfilling careers. It encompasses a diverse range of roles involved in management and maintenance of rural environments and urban green spaces, and all the activities that are supported within them. 

Organisations and businesses look for new entrants to the workforce to be able to demonstrate an ability to learn on the job, and a willingness to enhance their skills through development of knowledge and understanding.

The diverse range of projects and activities delivered through Garnock Connections offered an amazing opportunity for everyone, particularly young people, to embrace opportunities for personal development.

This project provided paid work placements in a team environment for young people seeking to work in estate maintenance. Twelve trainees from Garnock Connections communities completed their placements, gaining accredited vocational certificates and essential on-the-job experience. This includes transferrable core skills crucial to all employers.  All trainees progressed on to paid employment at the end of their traineeships with local council or businesses.

The trainees perfectly summed up what Garnock Connections is all about, as they were able to devote their time and skills to other projects, such as planting trees as part of Community Habitat Restoration, and developing visitor facilities at RSPB Lochwinnoch.