The Scottish Crannog Centre is developing a Craft Fellow programme designed to provide young adults with practical training and pathways into traditional skills. The project supports the development of specialist knowledge while contributing towards the creation of a national centre of excellence in traditional skills.
Young adults in Highland Perthshire face limited access to specialist training opportunities that support positive destinations after leaving school. The area faces challenges around access to skills development, particularly for those seeking practical pathways into employment.
Traditional craft skills require specialist knowledge and practical experience, but opportunities to learn these
skills can be difficult to access locally.
The Scottish Crannog Centre identified an opportunity to address this gap by creating a dedicated training pathway focused on traditional skills, heritage and practical learning.
Mathew Trust funding has supported the delivery of a Craft Fellow programme, providing a young adult with the opportunity to develop practical skills through a structured training programme. The funding is supporting:
- Craft Fellow salary costs
- Practical skills development
- Traditional craft training
- Progress towards recognised qualifications
The programme is being delivered in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland as part of wider ambitions to develop a national centre of excellence in traditional skills.
The Scottish Crannog Centre brings significant experience in delivering skills training alongside heritage and education partners, helping create a learning environment where traditional knowledge can be passed to a new generation.
This project is in it’s delivery phase, so impact is yet to be defined. Currently, the Craft Fellow has started their qualification and is currently progressing through the programme.
Early outcomes include:
- A young adult engaged in structured traditional skills training
- Development of specialist practical skills
- Progress towards recognised certification
- Increased access to heritage-based employment pathways
As the project develops, further outcomes will be captured including qualification completion, progression routes and longer-term employment impact.
The Craft Fellow programme forms part of The Scottish Crannog Centre’s wider ambition to establish a national centre of excellence for traditional skills.
The project aims to create a sustainable model for developing specialist skills, supporting young adults to remain in the area while building careers connected to heritage, tourism and craftsmanship.
Interested in applying?
If your organisation supports unemployed or re-skilling adults through education, vocational training or pathways into work, check your eligibility and find out how to apply.
