A group of unemployed people in rural Lochaber are being given the chance to learn a variety of new skills and improve the environment they live in through an innovative project under the New Deal for Young People programme.

Through the Environment Task Force option of New Deal, jobseekers have been placed with local firm ILM (Highland) to participate in significant projects for the community. Hands-on training in a variety of skills including forestry, land management and construction techniques as well as traditional skills such as carpentry and cairn building will improve the employability of the 8 people who have been selected for the project. It will also result in a new look for the village of Mallaig with the creation of foot and cycle paths, seating areas and shrub planting, which will all be carried out by the group under the instruction of local tradespeople.

Through New Deal, jobseekers start a series of practical steps to prepare them for the workplace, and can enter one of four options to assist them in finding a job - subsidised employment; Environment Task Force; voluntary sector or education and training. The Environment Task Force option, as chosen by 8 of the project members, provides up to six months work and training with an organisation or project working to improve the community's environment.

Mallaig is an unemployment blackspot and an innovative approach is needed to solve the problem of long-term unemployment according to Morven Cameron, head of skills development at Lochaber Limited: "The Mallaig area is predominantly dependent on the fishing industry and seasonal employment opportunities are limited so people living in rural areas require a certain level of multi-skilling to improve their employability. This approach, via the New Deal initiative, will provide training in a variety of skills that will help these people to help themselves.

"The project will also help strengthen links with local employers through the work placements which will result in community as well as individual development."

Lochaber Limited and the Employment Service are working in partnership to tackle unemployment in rural Lochaber and in the case of this particular project, there is also assistance from the Mallaig Community Council and local landowner and West End impresario, Sir Cameron MacKintosh. The management and delivery of the project however, will be the responsibility of training firm, ILM Highland.

The timing of the project has been carefully considered by the partners. Development projects being brought forward by the Knoydart Foundation such as the Knoydart Forestry project and the development of the electricity supply and housing requirements on the Island of Eigg will mean an increase in demand for skilled workers in rural parts of Lochaber.

John Dennison, Employment Service District manager for the Highlands and Western Isles, commented: "We are delighted to be part of this project for New Deal 18-24 as it is a valuable opportunity for the jobseekers involved to further develop and enhance their skills. This experience will be a real - and much needed - opportunity to improve the quality of life for the whole community and we are pleased that these jobseekers are working on such an important task."

Supporter of the project, Sir Cameron MacKintosh said: "I am delighted to see how successful the village enhancement scheme has already been. All over the village areas that one used to hurry by are now delightful places to sit and enjoy the beautiful views. The craftsmanship has been first class."

The majority of the funding for the £87,000 project has come from the European Social Fund with a grant worth £43,500. Lochaber Limited have awarded the programme £29,500 with £9,000 from New Deal and £5,000 from Sir Cameron MacKintosh.