Education and Learning Event hailed a great success
The Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT) hosted an Education and Learning event in the Glenkens last week (July 11th), on behalf of the Glenkens and district Community Action Plan Steering Group. The event was set in the context of the Community Action Plan goal that the Glenkens will be a connected, resilient and carbon neutral place, where people will want to live, work and bring up their families.
The event was designed to inform and inspire, and welcomed 6 excellent speakers who gave up their time to move this important subject forward. On the ‘Industry’ panel, Richard Nash of Natural Power, Matthew Bacon of Vattenfall Wind Power and Abi Mordin of Propagate gave fascinating insights into the pipeline of skilled jobs that will be needed in the land and energy industries in the Glenkens over the next 20 years. Matthew highlighted the increase in operational positions needed on wind farms, which is predicted to rise by 250% by 2030 in Dumfries and Galloway, from 112 to 395 positions. These are long-term, well-paid roles. Similarly, Abi highlighted that the changing agricultural subsidy regime will require new skilled roles in a variety of areas including nature restoration and enhancement. Richard drew on his non-exec role at Dumfries & Galloway College to highlight how joint working between the College and Natural Power had led to a permanent new course in Wind Turbine Maintenance that was training technicians in the relevant skills, ready to enter the industry directly.
The ’Education’ Panel comprised Anne Paterson, previous Head of the Argyll & Bute Education Department and now researcher into rural small schools, and Andrew Pyle, Head of the Kilquhanity Children’s Village near Kirkpatrick Durham. Suzie Dick of Queen Margaret University was due to attend but was unfortunately ill with Covid.
Anne highlighted previous research into the issues and possible solutions associated with small rural schools, and reflected on the importance of such schools both to the communities they are embedded in and to a Local Authority’s vision for rural sustainability. Her own research highlighted the need for due consideration of context and place when implementing national policy, the need for mutual understanding between Local Authorities and communities and the need for innovative thinking to find new solutions. Andrew gave an insight into an entirely different model of education, as embodied by Kilquhanity Free School until 1997 – one that prioritised learning over education and embraced radical democracy for and by the children.
Finally, Theona Morrison, a founder director of CoDeL, a community development organization based on Uist, and Chair of Scottish Rural Action, gave some inspiring examples of the Uist communities working in partnership with their Local Authority to design new courses that gave their young people the skills they would need to stay on the island – including entrepreneurship and leadership – instead of educating them to leave. As a result of this and other efforts, the depopulation of Uist has been significantly mitigated. She also highlighted the research work that they have been commissioned to do by the Glenkens & District Trust. They plan to publish a final report on the Glenkens Hub by the Autumn and will be engaging with Glenkens community members as well as other rural communities word-wide during the summer.
The event was extremely well attended, with more than 60 people coming along including children and young people. Representatives from local businesses, the Dalry School Parent Council, and the D&G Council Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing department were all in attendance. Representatives of Carsphairn Community Woodland, Scottish Childminding Association and the now-completed Galloway Glens internship scheme also had stands to set out how they are supporting this topic within the wider Glenkens area.
Caroline Reeves, a member of the CAP Steering Group and Crossmichael resident, chaired the evening. She said “As ever in the Glenkens, the level of engagement, creative thinking and knowledge in the audience was inspiring in itself. Added to the fantastic presentations and insights, it all made for a most interesting and thought-provoking evening that we hoped helped everyone look at Education and Learning in the Glenkens, and other rural areas, in a new way. Many thanks are due to GCAT, who hosted the event and delivered an excellent event for us all.” Helen Keron, Executive Manager of GCAT, said “Many thanks to all the speakers, manned stands, Caroline, GCAT staff and all the volunteers who made this event such a success. It’s always inspiring to see the communities of the Glenkens come together about issues that mean a lot to them, and I am optimistic that we can continue to keep working in partnership with all members of the community, local businesses and the Council to find a great solution to Education and Learning in the Glenkens, one that is fit for modern rural living” As a result of the event, Dumfries & Galloway Council representatives have reached out for further meetings with the communities and businesses and have offered to share relevant data, which is very welcome.
A written output from the event will shortly be available here: https://glenkens.scot/education-and-learning
