Jobs project is now green for go
Wind farm scheme boosts employability prospects
A project aimed at supporting hundreds of people in Strathaven and the surrounding areas into training, education or employment has been launched.
The Connect2Renewables (C2R) employability initiative is a partnership between Banks Renewables, South Lanarkshire Council and the communities surrounding Middle Muir and Kype Muir wind farms to transform prospects for those unemployed or facing job uncertainties living within 10 kilometres of the wind farms.
It represents the largest fund of its type resulting from a wind farm in the region – and will see £637,500 ring-fenced for local organisations for the first five years, creating jobs and apprenticeships as well as training and grants.
The fund was launched by Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina McKelvie, who said: “Connect2Renewables will help build stronger communities, create clean green energy and create jobs for local people.
“Today we are announcing that the employability fund generated by Middle Muir is now live.
“The employability fund generated by Kype Muir will become available in early 2019 and will be available to people in Strathaven, Stonehouse, Sandford, Lesmahagow and Blackwood/Kirkmuirhill. This fund will make a real difference to people seeking better prospects in these areas.
“Connect2Renewables will generate a £1.74 million jobs and training fund that will support more than 400 local unemployed people into work, provide further education or workplace training – by breaking down the financial barriers that may be holding people back.”
South Lanarkshire Council leader, Councillor John Ross, welcomed the announcement.
He said: “This initiative is ground-breaking and demonstrates the power and potential of public and private sectors working together.
“I’m delighted that South Lanarkshire Council is playing such a hands-on role in distributing the funding linked to the employability initiative.”
Colin Anderson, development director with Banks Renewables, added: “South Lanarkshire is a fantastic region and it is where our business is based. But it has felt the brunt of declining industries and there is so much to be done to improve employment outlooks.
“Our C2R partnership with South Lanarkshire Council and the local communities has been incredibly positive. It shows that the local authority is striving to improve the local economy – and we’re delighted to be a key part of that.”