Education and Training Fund Supports Local Mountain Biking Entrepreneur
The Langhope Rig Wind Farm Education & Training Fund (Sub Fund A) awarded £1,476 to help create sustainable self-employment and turn a biking dream into reality for a keen entrepeneur.
Educational Funding Beyond Higher Education
Education and training (E&T) funds and bursaries are often thought of as primarily for young people finishing school and needing financial assistance with further education costs. However, these funds serve much more diverse and varied groups of people and activities, including:
- Mid-career professionals seeking to upskill or change career paths
- Adult learners returning to education after time in the workforce
- Apprentices in trades and vocational training programmes
- Part-time students balancing work, family, and educational commitments
- Individuals of all ages pursuing professional certifications and specialised credentials
The Langhope Rig Sub Fund A Education and Training Fund has been specifically designed to provide funding opportunities for non-traditional students, recognising that education and training can occur throughout one's lifetime and career journey.
The Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund
The Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund (E&T), provided by Greencoat UK Wind, provides bursaries to residents in Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem and Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water Community Council areas in the Scottish Borders.
These bursaries support local residents to access training and education opportunities that equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to gain or retain employment. Funding is awarded by the Langhope Rig Wind Farm Sub Fund A Community Panel, made up of members of the local community.
Gael’s story
Gael resides in the rural Scottish community of Ettrick and Yarrow within the Scottish Borders. Following a career break of over a year, she encountered challenges and barriers in trying to secure employment. This included factors such as her remote location and the limited opportunities available in the area.
Gael carefully thought about her long-term aspirations, alongside her interests and skillset. With a strong desire to remain within her rural community, she assessed how her existing abilities and career goals could align with potential employment opportunities in the region and maintain her connection to rural Scottish life.
Having always had a keen interest in mountain biking, Gael began to forge connections within the commercial mountain biking organisations throughout the Scottish Borders. Through networking, Gael identified an opportunity to establish her own business as a self-employed mountain bike coach and guide, building upon her existing skills and experience.
Fund Support
To turn this vision into her reality, Gael needed to complete professional training and obtain the necessary qualifications. There were several short course certifications she needed to acquire.
Gael reached out to the Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund to find out more information and check to see if she was eligible. Following discussions with the Fund Advisor, Gael decided to apply and submitted an application for £1,476 to cover a range of essential certifications which included:
- Outdoor First Aid
- British Cycling Introduction to Coaching
- Safeguarding & Protecting Children Online Classroom
- Navigation & Leadership Training with Ridelines
- Level 2 British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership Award Training with Ridelines
- Level 2 British Cycling Mountain Bike Leadership Award Assessment with Ridelines
- Mountain Bike Skills Coaching with Ridelines
Within her application, Gael highlighted the growing investment in mountain biking infrastructure in the Scottish Borders, including the Glentress Masterplan and the Borderlands MTB Project. These initiatives are set to create job opportunities for qualified professionals, which Gael is keen to support when opportunities arise. Gael wrote:
"The Scottish Borders is becoming a world-class mountain biking destination, but there's a clear gap in the market for qualified coaches who can cater to diverse riders. With these qualifications, I can establish a sustainable business while contributing to the local tourism economy and helping more people enjoy our incredible trails safely."
After reviewing the application, the Langhope Rig Panel awarded the full amount of £1,476 to enable Gael to complete all the required training and qualifications to achieve her goals.
Next Steps
In preparation for launching her business, Gael had been proactive in researching the market and meeting with industry contacts. She identified specific gaps that the proposed business could fill, particularly that local organisations like Ridelines are actively seeking self-employed coaches.
Gael plans to focus on underserved markets, including women, older riders, and individuals seeking confidence-building and skills improvement, alongside standard mountain biking courses.
Gael’s commitment to the field is evident through her volunteering with a project aimed at encouraging more women to take up mountain biking for several years.
While completing the training courses, Gael intends to pursue additional volunteering opportunities to gain as much experience as possible. Gael said:
"This funding is truly transformative for me. Without it, I would have had to pursue these qualifications one at a time over several years, delaying my ability to establish my business. The Langhope Rig Fund has essentially fast-tracked my career change and given me the confidence to pursue this path wholeheartedly."
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, Gael plans to launch their coaching and guiding services as soon as the qualifications are completed. With the Scottish Borders' mountain biking scene continuing to grow, the timing couldn't be better for a new business in this sector. Gaels says:
"Don't be afraid to pursue something you're passionate about. The Borders has so much untapped potential, especially in outdoor recreation and tourism. Sometimes the skills and interests you already have can be turned into a viable business with the right training and support."
Conclusion
The Langhope Rig Education and Training Fund was established to maximise opportunities for local residents in the rural fund area, ensuring widespread benefits throughout the community whilst encouraging people to remain in the area. The initiative simultaneously helps maintain the population of the rural community of Ettrick and Yarrow, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the area.
Gael's story is a great example of how this fund supports local residents to create sustainable opportunities for themselves and turn her dreams into her reality. This may start as a benefit to the individual but the ripple effect this type of funding can have through a community will continue for years to come.