Local technician Keiron Chisholm is now qualified to deliver lighting for events and festivals, thanks to support from the Galloway Glens Scheme, reducing the need and cost for this expertise to be sought from outside the region.
Keiron Chisholm is one of the Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities volunteers and has been heavily involved with the organisation’s sound and lighting at events. Keiron identified a course that allows him to provide signed-off event electrics for organisations such as the Festivities and many others in the wider area.
In order to have event electrics signed off by professionals who have been certified, organisations must normally get a company from Glasgow or Edinburgh to sign off. This can be very expensive, especially for charities and local organisations who are looking to put on community events. Keiron identified a need for this training in the local area, and with the support of Galloway Glens, Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities were able to support Keiron through this training.
Keiron will now work as a contractor for Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities, as well as continuing to volunteer his time and can also build a business in the local area, offering his services to other organisations and events.
Avive Asbridge from Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities said:
“The Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities are delighted to be able to support this talented young man in building a local business and grateful that due to this training, Keiron will be able to stay in the area and work with the Festivities in the future. Having an affordable way to sign off major events allows the budgets of these events to go further and allows the Festivities to keep putting on these valuable community events for all to enjoy. The Festivities are grateful to Galloway Glens for their continued support in a number of ways including training Keiron.”
McNabb Laurie, Galloway Glens Team Leader, added:
“One of the key aims of the Galloway Glens Scheme is to encourage young people to plan their working future here in Dumfries & Galloway. Our input into this training has supported that aim perfectly, while also reducing ongoing costs for our partners at Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities group. This nimble and targeted use of our funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund must surely be classed as a ‘win-win’.
We have some exciting plans afoot for further job training and intern opportunities in our remaining nine months, please keep an eye on our channels if you are looking for work experience right here in Galloway.”
The Galloway Glens is a 5-year suite of projects aimed at connecting people with their heritage, boosting the local economy and supporting sustainable, thriving communities. It is an initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team funded by a range of partners including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Drax, the owner of the Galloway Hydro Scheme. More info: www.gallowayglens.org.
