Trainees head for the hills
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Trainees head for the hills |
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Mountain Bike Trail Build Training Project creates opportunities in a growth sectorThis morning, Monday October 10th, a group of trainee mountain bike trail builders are heading for a remote part of the Dyfi Forest to begin a 13 week training programme at the new Cli-machx mountain bike trail near Ceinws, Machynlleth - and there are still vacancies for enthusiastic trainees. Trainees will learn all aspects of trail building, surfacing and maintenance as well as developing a range of key skills, while actually carrying out maintenance and surfacing work on the existing trails. They will also be offered opportunities for specialist training, such as chainsaw work, during the programme period, plus a personal equipment allowance. For one day a week each the trainees will be based at Powys Training in Machynlleth, developing computer, administration, basic literacy or numeracy and other skills as required. It is hoped that all of these elements could help set the trainees up in new careers. The project arises out of discussions and partnership work between between community companies ecodyfi and Dyfi Mountain Biking, together with training agency Powys Training and training providers Environment Skills Training. The partners recognized the need for trails maintenance on the one hand - ensuring essential rider safety and much needed tourism income - and training opportunities in this growing industry on the other. The training programme is funded by the Social Risk Fund, a Wales Council for Voluntary Action administered grant scheme, aimed at economic regeneration, through raising skills levels and increasing access to training and employment. Supervisors on the project will include Tristan Merry-Howe from Ecotrails, the company who built the Cli-machx. Only 4 years ago Tristan was himself a trainee on a similar mountain bike trails building training project at Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth. Tristan says, "It was a great start for me, teaching me valuable skills in what is becoming a big industry, not just in Wales, but throughout the UK and in many other parts of the world. "Since my training I have set up my own business and worked on a number of trails including the Cli-machx." There are still vacancies on the programme for anyone who is currently unemployed and living in the area. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please contact Powys Training on 01654 703437. More informationAndy Rowland, ecodyfi Manager, tel. 01654 703965. |
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10/10/2005