The Galloway Glens Scheme, in line with its aim of supporting sustainable communities and encouraging our young people to see their future in the region, has been working with a range of partners to design and provide work experience opportunities. The third intern, Amber Wright, is now in post, working as a field technician with Natural Power Consultants.
Amber joins Abbie Nye at Galloway Fisheries Trust and Calypso Coulton at Castle Douglas Development Forum/Better Lives Partnership to make up the first tranche of intern positions supported through the Galloway Glens Scheme.
Speaking about the Intern opportunity, Amber said:
I think a lot of young people believe that there are limited options for them in their local area. In high school, myself and many of my peers thought that we had to move to the larger cities to go to university or follow a career path, but this does not have to be the case. Internships like mine are a fantastic way to start a career, and a great way for Dumfries and Galloway to keep young innovative minds in the area, which is essential for progression and development.
Looking at her role with Natural Power Consultants, Amber added:
Though I am only just over two weeks into my internship, I have already learned a lot at Natural Power. I’ve been working on a site investigation with the geotechnical team, which is just getting started, so I’ve been lucky enough to get to see a lot of the processes involved with starting a project like this. So far, I’ve done over 700 peat probes, checking the depth of the peat across the site.
I’ve also been lucky enough to receive a lot of training on top of this, including driving 4×4’s, using different IT programs, and most importantly Health and Safety at work.
I can’t wait to keep learning and hope to continue having as much fun on the job as I have been the past two weeks. I hope that my work helps Natural Power towards its goal of a world powered by renewable energy, and that I can do my bit to create a better world for generations to come.
Leading on the Intern positions project, the Galloway Glens Education & Community Engagement Officer, Helen Keron, said:
“With 3 of our Galloway Glens-supported interns in post now, it’s really exciting to see them all settling in and really contributing to the organisations that they’re part of. As well as gaining valuable work experience and technical skills in their chosen fields, Abbie, Calypso and now Amber are all making a big difference with the work that they are doing. The very definition of a win-win!”
The Galloway Glens Scheme hopes to support further positions in coming years. Follow Galloway Glens Social media channels for information.
McNabb Laurie, Galloway Glens Team leader, added:
“Many thanks to lottery players across the country for the grant we received to allow these positions to be provided, and the hosts of each intern position for their support. With Covid-19 impacting our next generation in so many ways, we will be squeezing every penny and partnership opportunity to support as many of these positions as we can, right here in Galloway.”
The Galloway Glens Scheme is a suite of projects taking place up and down the Ken/Dee valley in Dumfries & Galloway. Primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, support is received from a variety of partners including Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team.
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