Opportunities for Learning
The development of Knockroon is intended to maximise opportunities
for employment for local firms and local people.
Young people are being encouraged to try their hand at traditional skills such as slating, stonemasonry, joinery, rendering and bricklaying through links with schools and colleges. Developers, Hope Homes, in conjunction with other bodies including the Prince’s Charities and East Ayrshire Council, want to attract people into the construction industry, with a bias towards traditional skills aided by new technology.
Existing craftsmen will also have the opportunity to learn more about traditional skills helping them to access a wider range of contracts.
The work at Knockroon complements the recently completed conversion of the old saw mill by Hope Homes into a centre for traditional skills in the grounds of Dumfries House.
Pupils from Auchinleck and Cumnock Academies work with experienced tradesmen at Knockroon from Monday to Friday each week. Previous projects include the manufacturing of compost bins, log stores and invertebrate hotels. The pupils are now building a complete house by themselves.
As well as gaining other construction experience, boys and girls in 5th year get the chance to try their hand at construction trades. They also gain valuable work experience and add to their CVs. Some of the goods they manufacture are for sale. Please click the image opposite to download the leaflet.
Pupils of all ages use Knockroon as a useful resource. French and Spanish pupils are writing about Knockroon in these languages, home economic pupils have served visitors at special events and local nursery and primary classes have visited to explore particular topics. To find out more about the many varied ways in which young people get involved at Knockroon, please call into our visitor centre and view out noticeboard displays.