The Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has approved funding that will build on the success of both the Land Based Business Training Project (LBBTP) and the Cairngorms Awareness and Pride (CAP) project.

Since it was set up in 2004, the LBBTP has offered 4,800 training places and invested over £1m on training for primarily land based businesses in or adjacent to the Cairngorms National Park.

As a result, many of those working in the land based sector have improved skills and the businesses have been supported to grow and operate more sustainably.

Over the next 3 years, £80,000 per year will be used to deliver a new training project focusing on:

• Developing young people whilst in employment in land based businesses
• Responsive support for the training of land based businesses
• Pro-active delivery of training events

Andy Rockall, CNPA LBBTP Manager said: “Many land based businesses in the Park have already taken advantage of the training that’s been available. By evolving the current project to focus on helping young people working in the Park to gain additional skills, we hope to continue to support those businesses committed to land management in the Park. While we at the CNPA are providing £80,000 a year for the next 3 years, we hope to be able to gain match funding to boost the project.”

CNPA Board Member Jaci Douglas added: “I  fully support investment in this training project which will continue to build on the very successful work that has already been done in the National Park reaching a wide section of the population. I’m especially delighted that our young people are to be given support to develop their skills so they can continue to work and build careers within in the Park, ensuring we continue to have a well trained work force to help sustain strong and vibrant communities.”

Keith Ballam, Managing Director of Craggan Outdoors activities centre said: “As a small business we find the support from the Land Based Business Training Project invaluable. It enables us to provide greater training and skills development to our staff than would otherwise be the case. We are looking to grow the business in the next few years and this extension of the training project will help massively with that.”