Pathways into Rural Skills
Pathways into Rural Skills
Adult Achievement Award Optional
Join a free programme at Newbattle Abbey College where your interests and ideas help shape what we explore together. Try practical activities, meet people working in rural industries and discover opportunities that could suit you.
From the start, you’ll help choose activities and visits, share what makes it difficult to access learning or work, and suggest what could make a difference. Your experiences will help inform recommendations for future rural skills opportunities locally for you and for others.
You don’t need previous experience or a clear career plan. Bring your curiosity, your ideas and a willingness to get involved. A simple lunch will be provided during each session.
You will have the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised Adult Achievement Award based on your learning during the course. The planned course dates are:
- 16, 23 and 30 November 2026.
- 7 and 14 December 2026.
- 11 January 2027.
The first session will be held Monday 16 November, 11am-3pm. The timings of further sessions will be provided as the course progresses. Please note there will be no sessions on 21 December, 28 December or 4 January during the Christmas break.
Lessons will be held at Newbattle Abbey College, with visits and activities at other locations in East Lothian and Midlothian. Applicants should tell us about any transport or accessibility issues that could affect their participation so that we can discuss what arrangements may be possible.
This opportunity is funded by Scottish Ministers in conjunction with the Tyne & Esk Local Action Group.
Register your interest by emailing studentadmin@nac.ac.uk.
I have really enjoyed the learning and the faculty have been amazing.
Who is this course for?
Pathways into Rural Skills is for people who:
- Are aged 16 or over.
- Live in East Lothian or Midlothian council areas.
- Have a genuine interest in rural, land-based or green industries.
- Would like to explore possible routes into learning, training, volunteering or employment.
- Are willing to share their experiences and ideas to help improve future opportunities
- You do not need any previous qualifications or experience in rural skills.
Priority will be given to young people looking to explore their next steps towards a career in the rural industries, adults returning to work after a break, and people considering a change of career, particularly where they are not currently in employment, education or training, are underemployed, or face barriers to accessing existing opportunities.
What does the course involve?
The programme will take place on Mondays at Newbattle Abbey College and at a small number of other locations across East Lothian and Midlothian.
Sessions will be practical, informal and supportive. You will take part in group discussions, hands-on activities and visits to employers, land managers and learning providers. You will also have time to investigate opportunities that interest you and consider your own possible next steps.
Participants will help to co-create the programme. This means that the group’s interests, experiences and ideas will help determine some of the activities and visits.
Sessions will take place at Newbattle and at other locations across East Lothian and Midlothian.
The programme will include practical activities connected to rural and land-based industries. Participants should be willing to take part and should expect some outdoor activity, including walking short distances over uneven ground.
If you have a disability, health condition or support need that may affect your participation, please contact the College. We will be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and how you can be supported to take part.
The first session on Monday 16 November will begin at 11am at Newbattle Abbey College, with the timing and location of further session agreed as the course progresses.
Exploratory learning at Newbattle Abbey College
During the programme, you will have opportunities to:
- Discover the range of jobs and careers available in rural, land-based and green industries.
- Take part in practical activities and workplace visits.
- Meet employers, learning providers and people working in the sector.
- Find out about further education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities.
- Explore the skills, qualifications and experience needed for different roles.
- Build confidence and identify possible next steps.
- Investigate opportunities that match your interests.
- Identify barriers that can make it difficult to enter the sector
- Suggest practical ways to make rural skills pathways clearer and more accessible.
This is an exploratory programme rather than a technical training course. It will help you discover what interests you, understand the opportunities available and consider where you might go next.
Help shape future opportunities
Participants will be co-creators of both the course and the wider project.
We want to understand what attracts people to rural and land-based industries, what prevents them from progressing and what employers, colleges and other organisations could do differently.
Your experiences and ideas will help us identify:
- Gaps in current learning and employment pathways.
- Barriers such as transport, confidence, accessibility or lack of information.
- Opportunities for new courses, partnerships or practical experiences.
- Ways to make rural and land-based careers more visible and accessible.
- Recommendations for future rural skills activity in East Lothian and Midlothian.
Course outcomes
By the end of the programme, you should have a clearer idea of the types of rural careers that might suit you, the routes available to get there and the people and organisations that can help you take your next step.
How will I study?
The programme will take place on Mondays at Newbattle Abbey College and at a small number of other locations across East Lothian and Midlothian.
Sessions will be practical, informal and supportive. You will take part in group discussions, hands-on activities and visits to employers, land managers and learning providers. You will also have time to investigate opportunities that interest you and consider your own possible next steps.
Participants will help to co-create the programme. This means that the group’s interests, experiences and ideas will help determine some of the activities and visits.
Sessions will take place at Newbattle and at other locations across East Lothian and Midlothian.
The programme will include practical activities connected to rural and land-based industries. Participants should be willing to take part and should expect some outdoor activity, including walking short distances over uneven ground.
If you have a disability, health condition or support need that may affect your participation, please contact the College. We will be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and how you can be supported to take part.
The first session on Monday 16 November will begin at 11am at Newbattle Abbey College, with the timing and location of further session agreed as the course progresses. Participants should be available across the day on each of the following Mondays.
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