Tain project delivers- before it’s built

A £1.8m Campus designed to equip youngsters with opportunities to remain in the North Highlands has delivered already, with kids helping to construct the building itself.

The Gro For You Community Innovation Campus is predicted to transform Tain, delivering much needed Community and visitor facilities whilst providing living learning environments for local young people.

A sustainable, modern building with geodesic learning domes, Phase One of the facility is not due to open until 2026.

However, the concept is already delivering on one key objective, with learners actually getting involved in the construction of the very fabric itself.

In association with Community Trade Hub Ltd, campus partner For You Training has been involving young people in tailored learning camps on the construction site next to the A9.

During the 5-day sessions students have helped to landscape and undertake construction projects within the Campus playparks and growing areas.

Furthermore, after being given an overview of the design plan, they have also built and painted fencing and created raised beds and planters for food growing whilst learning the essentials of Health and Safety and Safe Tool Use.

Giving young people the essential skills and opportunities to remain in the North Highlands, thereby slowing youth migration, is one of the drivers for the new Campus.

The Community Trade Hub learning camps at the construction site build upon that goal.

They also cement the progress already being made by partner, For You Training, which has revealed its latest results for the provision of Foundation Apprenticeships in the local area.

The award-winning social enterprise has enrolled 782 young people on a Foundation Apprenticeship within Hospitality and Business Skills.

In 2024, they had a 95% retention rate with an 89% attainment rate.

The success now means their programmes are over-subscribed by approximately 84%, proving the impact they are having in attracting young people who may see their future outside of the traditional path.

“The students have been involved in construction projects and they have also had the opportunity to participate in the design of follow-up programmes, coming up with ideas for things that they could make using the materials available on-site,” said Gro For You Co-Founder and CEO, Sarah MacKenzie.

“More experienced groups will have the opportunity to support trained supervisors to refurbish our community workshop and welfare space.

“We also have an October Holiday Camp coming up where existing and new students will be able to take part in all aspects of learning, on-site,” added Gro For You Co-Founder Richard Jones.

When complete, the Gro For You Community Innovation Campus is predicted to attract 26 000 visitors per year, also providing much needed facilities for campervans travelling the NC500.

It will specialise in training of Food Technologies, Hospitality, Business and Employability, with living learning environments including Net Zero and Renewables.

The campus will also include a Training Centre with office space, training kitchen and café, with all areas, including the domes, becoming environments for learning.