Pupils from Auchinleck Academy have been seizing the chance to build a working future for themselves with the help of enterprising business Hope Homes, currently building the new sustainable community at Knockroon with the Prince’s Charities Foundation .

Directors Ian and Anne Hope, in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, have set up an ambitious education programme involving pupils from Auchinleck and Cumnock academies. In a series of training activities over the next year, young people will develop skills to prepare them for the world of work. They will train at Knockroon with skilled tradesmen in civil engineering, plumbing, joinery, planning, electrical work and marketing.

At the recent launch of the Knockroon Business Enterprise and Skills Centre (BESC), Ian Hope welcomed pupils, Council and education staff.

He said: “We would like to develop a strong bond between business and education and we see this enterprise at Knockroon as an additional bolt-on to support the excellent curriculum already being delivered in schools.

“In the immediate future, we need to get designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling Knockroon products – and the sky is the limit if we get it right. We need to build a student team to help deliver this.”

At the launch event, visitors saw six pupils from each school taking part in learning activities and toured the stunning showhomes – in a street named The Kirk’s Alarm – designed to reflect the rich architectural tradition of 17th century Ayrshire. Every detail is perfect, from the wrought iron railings to the sandstone garden walls.

Anne Hope said: “Our aim is to develop a community in which families walk to local amenities such as the village shop. Adam Square will be at the centre of the new neighbourhood, with a public building as its focal point. The mix of homes and workplaces ensures Knockroon will be a vibrant place to work, live and visit.

“Many of the ideas have come from Prince Charles himself, such as the tree-lined streets and our ‘green’ emphasis on sustainability”.