Working Together
Building partnerships across all spheres is integral to sustain communities, environment and industry.
Business & Organisations
Working with businesses and organisations is important to the work we do.
We partner with many businesses, ranging from traditional land-based to environmental and outdoor recreation.
Businesses and organisations act as future employers of the young people we work with. So it is imperetive that we support these employers with knowledge, understanding and access for their potential future workforce.
As important, we appreciate the crucial support that rural businesses and organisations give to us. We are always overwhelmed by the generousity the sector provides young people to experience and learn the ways of the countryside.
Supporting us
We value the variety of support that businesses offer which can progress routes into the rural work for young people. This support can include:
- Be a venue for events – for training courses and other events
- Host a project event – for example a farm open day or teacher training, giving input to delivery.
- Providing equipment and resources – sometimes we need to ask businesses for the kind use of equipment to aid with project delivery, for example tractors for training courses.
- Support project delivery, lead sessions, present – have direct input, share insight to people of your business experience. This can be in-person or online.
- Financial support – we are always grateful for donations, training cost subsidies etc
- Become a work placement provider – work experience placements are great opportunities for young people.
- Employ an apprentice – find out here how we can support you
- Spread the word – tell others about the work we do. There is nothing stronger than word of mouth. Follow and share us on social media too.
- Have a chat with us – get in touch with us anytime. If there is something you want to discuss with us, feedback, questions – we are here!
Supporting you
A partnership is about both parties having benefit. We take pride in forming strong partnerships and want to ensure businesses and organisations gain support too from working with us:
- Connect with young people – who are interested in rural careers and future opportunities
- Promote your industry and role –helping to raise awareness and understanding of the sector
- Develop your future workforce – building early relationships with potential employees
- Access flexible ways to get involved – from short online sessions to longer-term placements
- Receive support and guidance – from our team to plan and deliver your involvement. We deliver the Rural Mentor Qualification – a one day course for teams that want to gain knowledge and confidence in working with young people in the rural industry.
- Be part of a wider network – working collaboratively to support rural education and skills
Educators
We help bridge the gap between education and industry, giving young people a clearer understanding of rural careers and the skills they need to succeed.
We work with teachers, schools, college and careers education organisations – such as Developing the Young Workforce – to support the delivery of engaging, real-world learning linked to rural education and careers.
Our aim is to make it easier for educators to connect students with industry and inspire future pathways.
Get involved
The impact of partnerships between educators and us – and the work we do – is huge. There is a range of ways how educators can support young people’s pathways to rural work and to strengthen the rural and outdoor sector.
- Classroom learning sessions – This can be in-person awareness events. For example Live Chat A Rural Worker – bringing real workplaces into the classroom
- Careers events – We exhibit at career and job fairs every year with many pupils and school leavers eager to explore rural pathways.
- Field trips, experiences and events – Give young people the opportunity to gain hands-on experiences, skills and insight into our rural and outdoor industries and pathways. We coordinate these types of events across our regions – Work Taster Days, Lantra training courses, estate open days just to name a few!
- Connect with businesses and industry professionals – We have a vast network of business and industry contacts that we can link you with.
- Support students into work placements and apprenticeships
- Spread the word – tell others about the work we do. There is nothing stronger than word of mouth.
Supporting you
There are many ways how a partnership with us will benefit you, as an educator:
- Links you with industry partners – saving you time and effort sourcing contacts
- Provides structured, curriculum-relevant opportunities – aligned with learning outcomes
- Offers flexible ways to engage – whether online or in person
- Supports planning and delivery – making activities easy to organise.
- Teacher Training – we deliver Career Long Professional Learning (CLPL) training, in-person and online. This supports you as educators to know and understand the rural sector and what opportunities are out there to promote to young people.
- Enhances pupil engagement and attainment – by bringing learning to life through real-world context. The impact of our work is already known to improve attainment in schools.
- Grow ‘successful learners’ – the work we do will support young people with personal and career development, towards positive destinations.
Funders
We work with funding bodies and sponsors who share our commitment to supporting rural education, skills development and career pathways.
Through these partnerships, we are able to deliver meaningful opportunities that connect young people with the rural and outdoor landscapes and strengthen community resilience, the environment and the economy.
Funders enable us to sustain and expand the work we are doing. With funding, we can provide assistance in more areas of Scotland and also undertake more work. Our work is encouraging young people to engage with the different environments in Scotland and consider different work roles which they perhaps have not explored.
Funders can support a particular region or project, that align with their own goals. We are supported by a variety of different funders ranging from the National Lottery to private donations. Funding allows us to support and reach young people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
To support us or find out more about funding click here, or please get in touch.
Public and Volunteers
Our resources page is available for everyone to use, whether you’re considering a career change or supporting a young person who is interested in a rural career.
Please check out our volunteering page for more information on how you can contribue your time.
Fundraising Events
Fundraising is an integral part of our work at Countryside Learning Scotland. Working together with the public to raise funds to further our work is fundamental. Every year we hold the fantastic annual fundraiser, the Black Grouse Charity Clay Shoot and Auction.