Highland charity DAY1 is exploring opportunities for an ambitious new centre of learning, capitalising on the green energy revolution and expanding its services to support more disengaged youths across the Highlands

Since 2005, the Inverness-based charity has been providing an award-winning youth and child mentoring programme to local vulnerable children and young people who are struggling to thrive, helping them cope with the pressures of modern life.

To date, it has supported over 1,400 children and young people aged 14-17 who struggle with or are not suited to traditional classroom learning styles in accessing the opportunities they need to progress into further education, employment, or training.

Highlighting its success, 94% of young people matched to a DAY1 mentor have achieved a positive outcome, such as employment, further education, or training.

The charity is now seeking to capitalise on the once-in-a-generation employment opportunities presented by the long-term growth in renewable energy and construction in the Highlands, through exploring options to establish a new centre of learning.

It is also seeking opportunities for outdoor learning, including enhancing rural skills and landscaping training, as well as urban growing.

This initiative aims to create a building that will inspire young people, and will house both existing and new staff, building on the existing relationships with Highland Council Education, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Developing the Young Workforce, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Skills Development Scotland (SDS), and the broader business community.

DAY1 operates several children and youth projects, all aimed at helping the next generation to realise their potential. Its main offer is community mentoring, where a volunteer mentor is assigned to a youngster and provides them with support and encouragement.

Volunteers come from all walks of life, and their year-long mentoring programme helps disengaged youngsters to build resilience and to achieve their potential.

Several projects offer opportunities to acquire technical skills and qualifications, such as the ‘Automotive Skills at Work Foundation Apprenticeship’. This course, conducted at the DAY1-owned social enterprise business, Inverness Kart Raceway, provides youngsters with the opportunity to learn and practice mechanical skills using road-legal cars.

Recent research commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) indicated that the Highlands and Islands could secure a £100 billion windfall and create over 18,000 jobs through the expansion of renewable energy.

Additional opportunities will also be provided by the Inverness Cromarty Freeport, and the expansion of the construction sector.

Corrin Henderson, CEO of DAY1, said: “As we mark our twentieth anniversary in training and mentoring young people, it is vital that we look to the future and capitalise on the employment opportunities delivered through the projected growth in the renewables and construction sectors in the Highlands.

Through exploring opportunities for a new centre of learning and outdoor learning, we will be able to provide the support and training that young people need to connect them to future opportunities in these sectors, which are key engines of growth for the Scottish economy.”

He added: “Our ambitious plans present a once-in-a-generation opportunity for employment in the Highlands, and as an organisation, we are excellently placed, given our track record, to deliver the skilled employees these sectors need.”