Forth Valley College has been named a finalist at the Green Gown Awards, recognising the College's commitment to sustainability, inclusion and widening access to green career pathways.
The College has been shortlisted in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability category for its Work Start Rural Skills: Opening Green Career Pathways for Supported Learners initiative.
Forth Valley College is one of eight finalists in the category, alongside Kingston University, Trafford and Stockport College, Pembrokeshire College, Munster Technological University, the University of Glasgow, Technological University Dublin and Chesterfield College.
The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives undertaken by universities, colleges and other institutions across the post-16 education sector. Established in 2004, the awards celebrate innovation, impact and best practice in sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Workstart Rural Skills is an inclusive, practical and community-connected sustainability programme designed for young people with additional support needs and barriers to learning, participation and employment.
Using the outdoors as a classroom, the programme combines conservation, countryside skills, employability, construction, ICT and community volunteering, helping learners develop confidence, practical skills and awareness of career opportunities within the green economy.
The initiative was created in response to the need to make sustainability education more accessible while widening participation in practical green skills and rural employment opportunities. Through outdoor and experiential learning, students are supported to engage directly with sustainability through activities including tree planting, path maintenance, habitat improvement, seed collection, peatland restoration learning and community environmental projects.
The programme is delivered through partnerships with organisations including Scottish Land and Estates, The Conservation Volunteers, John Muir Trust, Scottish Canals, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Brucefield Estate, Hawkhill Community Centre, Sustrans and local community groups.
These partnerships provide learners with access to real-world environments, volunteering opportunities, employer engagement and progression routes into further training, employment and green careers.
The programme is now entering its third year and continues to support young people who may have experienced challenges within traditional educational environments by providing an alternative model of learning centred on participation, practical achievement and community engagement.
As well as benefiting learners, the initiative has encouraged collaboration across a range of curriculum and support areas within the College, including construction, core skills, ICT, cookery and estates-related activities.
Kenny MacInnes, Principal of Forth Valley College, said: "We are delighted to be recognised once again by the judges at the Green Gown Awards and to be named a finalist in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability category.
The programme continues to provide valuable opportunities for learners to develop practical skills, build confidence and gain experience through a range of sustainability-focused activities. We would also like to thank our partner organisations for their continued support in helping create these experiences for our students.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Workstart Rural Skills programme, particularly our students, staff and partner organisations, whose commitment has helped make the initiative such a success. We are proud of the positive impact the programme is having and are delighted to see this work recognised on a national stage."
The Green Gown Awards ceremony takes place on 16 November 2026 at the Royal Armouries Conference and Events venue in Leeds.
For more information about the Green Gown Awards visit: https://www.eauc.org.uk/green-gown-awards/uk-and-ireland/
For more information about Forth Valley College's Rural Skills courses visit: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/supported-learning/workstart-rural-skills
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