Youth entrepreneurship and the Abriachan Forest Trust
Youth Skills and Entrepreneurship Development in Community Woodland Settings
The Abriachan Forest Trust (AFT) youth programme is designed to develop employability and entrepreneurial skills in young individuals through practical experiences in community woodland settings. Over the past 25 years, AFT has provided outdoor education and skill-building opportunities to children, students, and young adults.
The programme aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by supporting marginalised and local youth, offering them the chance to progress in land-based industries. Participants gain essential life skills, including teamwork, communication, and practical abilities like woodworking, safety procedures, and ecological awareness. Feedback from students reveals increased confidence and independence, with many expressing pride in their newly acquired skills and accomplishments, such as earning the Forest and Outdoor Learning and John Muir Awards.
The programme has had a significant impact on participants' well-being, boosting their self-esteem, health, and social abilities. Some students even transitioned into employment, with one notable success being a student with autism who secured a job after participating. Abriachan's initiative not only fosters entrepreneurial thinking, as seen with a student planning to start a photography business, but it also addresses the skills gap in the land-based sector. The programme is set to expand, with plans to refine its model and extend its reach across the Highlands.
Researchers: Dr Lalith Welamedage and Professor Vicky Johnson
Partner organsiation: Abriachan Forest Trust, Abriachan, Inverness
Funder: Interface Innovation Vouchers
