Obanite climbs to success
Kirsty Pallas is a fantastic example of how a young person in Oban can progress through their training and develop a career that they love, without having to leave the area. Kirsty did her work experience at Kilbowie Outdoor Centre, when she realised there could be a career opportunity in outdoor education, as well as being a hobby she was passionate about. “Starting with work experience locally with Kilbowie made me realise that not only was outdoor instructing a great job choice, but also how suited Oban was to developing my career. With mountains, rivers and sea all within less than an hour’s reach, it's the perfect location for me to work.”
She then completed a Modern Apprenticeship with Stramash and got her SVQ Level 3 in Outdoor Education through Glencoe Outdoor Centre. After working as a freelance instructor for a while, Kirsty got a full-time job with Hebridean Pursuits in Oban as an outdoor instructor. While there, she provided administrative support and had the enviable job of taking people out coasteering, canyoning, climbing, hill walking and on team activities. To top it off, Kirsty is now also a tutor for the Outdoor Adventure Sports course being delivered by Argyll College UHI in Oban, so she really has come full circle without ever having to leave Oban!
“Being employed by a local company has given me so many opportunities to develop in my different sports and work through my qualifications. From working with local kids in the summer to directing week long residentials for young people from across the UK to tutoring college students in a variety of activities to help them start on their journeys to becoming instructors.”
Kirsty’s career story thus far shows how a young person in Oban can undertake training, work with a local business and then end up delivering training to future generations of employees, something which we hope to see happening more and more in future!