The Scottish Crannog Centre has launched a new apprenticeship scheme at its iconic home on the banks of Loch Tay.
Young apprentices are being given the chance to train at the replica Iron Age dwelling for a year, while working towards an SVQ in Customer Service.
They will undertake duties such as tour guiding, and will get an opportunity to learn skills including traditional fire making, woodworking, textiles and cooking.
The scheme is funded by SSE, Perth and Kinross Council, Museums Galleries Scotland, and the Gannochy Trust.
Director of the Crannog Centre Mike Benson said: “Everyone is really excited about the apprentices joining the Crannog community.
“They will bring fresh insight and ideas and will play a key role in how we tell our story and how we continue to develop as an organisation.”
Senior Skills Development Manager at Museums Galleries Scotland, John Campbell added: “We are delighted to support the Scottish Crannog Centre in training five apprentices for an SVQ in Customer Service.
“The experience of vocational training in such a lively and ambitious museum as the Scottish Crannog Centre will make for an exciting year for the apprentices.
“We wish the apprentices well with their training and look forward to seeing the important part they will play in continuing to tell the fascinating story of the Scottish Crannog Centre.”
Chief Executive of the Gannochy Trust, Joanna McCreadie spoke of the importance of the apprenticeships in allowing the participants to develop their future careers.
She said: “An apprenticeship is a great way to learn valuable skills that will help the apprentices secure jobs in the future and open up new opportunities.
“We wish the first five candidates the best of luck.”
The Skills and Employment Initiatives team at Perth and Kinross Council has worked alongside the Crannog Centre to extend the business.
This included the introduction of the apprenticeship scheme.
Funding for four apprenticeships came from the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind initiative and Perth and Kinross Council’s Rural Employment Incentive.
Head of Planning & Development at the authority, David Littlejohn said he “looks forward to working” with the centre and its new apprentices during the next year.
The Crannog Centre expressed its thanks to the organisations involved for developing the apprenticeship scheme.
