Nominee Summary
Led by Andy and Bridgit Findlay, Findlay Training Scotland is a Lantra-accredited training provider with its roots in rural Aberdeenshire. Raised on the family farm, Andy brings 30 years’ experience in land-based training, while Bridgit adds a strong foundation in marketing gained both in the UK and overseas.. Together, we deliver high-quality, practical training solutions tailored to estates, agriculture, aquaculture and wider land-based industries. Known for our personal service, we work with a team of skilled local instructors to support learners and operators at all stages. Our passion lies in strengthening rural communities and helping future generations thrive.
The preservation of skills
At Findlay Training Scotland Ltd, we deliver Lantra courses that develop and preserve vital rural skills across a wide range of disciplines including tractor driving, ATV handling, chainsaws, plant and machinery operation, first aid, and more. Our delivery approach is rooted in practical experience, ensuring training is relevant, safe, and tailored to each learner’s environment. Our unique selling point is that we deliver training on the customer’s site, allowing trainees to feel comfortable in their own surroundings with the machinery they operate daily. This helps preserve not only skills but also the knowledge of how they are applied in real-life rural settings. We support the early development of rural competencies by offering tractor driving training to 13–15-year-olds, ensuring a pipeline of confident, safety-conscious future operators. Our inclusive approach means learners of all abilities — including those with additional learning needs — receive support through one-to-one tuition when required. We work closely with parents of younger trainees to tailor sessions that build skills, confidence, and safety awareness in a way that suits the individual. Our course delivery also extends to crofting communities, where we provide essential training in areas such as pesticides and sheep dip. These practical skills are vital for maintaining high standards of animal welfare and land management, helping to preserve traditional crofting knowledge while ensuring modern safety and compliance. By collaborating with farms, estates, schools, and employers, we stay attuned to the skills required, integrating traditional rural practices with the latest industry standards and techniques.
Increasing awareness
Findlay Training Scotland Ltd actively promotes awareness of rural skills and education across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, and beyond. Supporting learners of all ages—from school leavers to experienced professionals—Andy and our team deliver accessible, hands-on training that builds confidence and employability. Andy brings extensive experience from his seven years as a lecturer at SRUC, where he taught mechanisation to both further and higher education students. He also taught into the curriculum by delivering hands on rural skills sessions to school pupils across Aberdeenshire, helping young people connect with land-based opportunities early on. We work closely with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and rural schools to engage young people with the sector. In Moray, we support the Future in the Field Land-Based Sector Day, inspiring pupils to explore rural career pathways. In Aberdeenshire, we deliver the Lantra 13–15 Years Tractor Driving course, promoting safety and early skills development on farms. We also attend careers fairs at target schools. Our tailored on-site approach has supported hundreds of trainees, often delivering courses in remote and rural areas to reduce access barriers. Using our website, social media, word-of-mouth, and community outreach, we effectively raise awareness of both the need for and value of rural skills training. We also build strong partnerships with land-based businesses to support long-term engagement. By matching learners with instructors who share relevant experience, we help foster peer learning and mentoring—ensuring trainees gain not only qualifications but also the confidence to take the next step in rural employment.
Ethical/environmental standards
Findlay Training is committed to delivering training solutions that are deeply rooted in the communities we serve. By employing local instructors, assessors, and administrative staff, we help create meaningful opportunities within the rural economy. Our training model focuses on delivering courses directly at the customer’s site, reducing the need for multiple people to travel to a central training centre. This approach not only cuts down on unnecessary travel and fuel consumption but also ensures that learning takes place in a relevant, real-world environment. Environmental responsibility and safety are embedded in every course we offer. We promote sustainable machinery use, safe handling techniques, and land-conscious working practices. In sectors such as forestry, aquaculture, and agriculture, these principles make a tangible difference on the ground. We work collaboratively with schools, estates, crofters, and rural employers to build strong relationships and deliver meaningful outcomes. Our team is dedicated to providing inclusive and respectful training experiences that are accessible to people from all backgrounds. By training young people to work in the rural sector, we hope to contribute to long-term economic development by encouraging more people to live and work in remote rural areas—helping to sustain communities and protect local knowledge.
Noteworthy improvements
Since becoming a fully accredited Lantra provider,, Findlay Training Scotland has grown from a single-instructor operation into a trusted training business, supported by a strong team of experienced instructors.. Andy’s reputation for quality, safety, and professionalism has been complemented by Bridgit’s strategic leadership in branding, marketing, and client communications. Over the past 24 months, Findlay Training has experienced high growth. This success is rooted in Andy Findlay’s standing as a knowledgeable, professional, and highly trusted training instructor. His credibility in the land-based sector has helped to establish long-term client relationships, with many customers returning for refresher training or recommending our services to others. Earlier this year, we welcomed Sue Crerar as Training Manager — a key appointment that supports our ongoing expansion and commitment to high-quality service delivery. In line with this growth, we moved into dedicated office space in Banchory providing a central base to support operations meeting the needs of our growing team and client base. Technology has been introduced to streamline course scheduling, enhance communication, and improve learner follow-up — making the process more efficient and user-friendly for both trainees and instructors. The result is a more responsive and accessible customer experience. The true measure of our impact lies in the learners themselves. We receive consistently excellent feedback, highlighting increased confidence and improved prospects. For younger participants, our training often represents a vital first step into rural employment. For more experienced workers, it provides a valuable opportunity to stay compliant while continuing to build on existing skills.
Overcoming Challenges
Findlay Training has overcome a number of challenges on the road to becoming a training provider. Starting as a small, family-run business, we have grown steadily by building a strong reputation for high standards, personal service, and practical, land-based training tailored to real working environments. Operating in remote and rural areas brings logistical challenges — from unpredictable weather to distance-related travel constraints. By offering on site training, Andy and our team have managed to meet learner needs while remaining efficient and responsive. The pandemic disrupted traditional training pathways and connections, requiring us to build trust and visibility. Bridgit’s marketing expertise was instrumental in creating a strong brand that reflects our team’s values and commitment to quality & trust. This included launching a website, building a meaningful presence on social media, and actively promoting rural skills and safety. A key ongoing challenge is the ageing population of instructors across the sector. To address this, we are actively widening our trusted network of skilled instructors — ensuring continuity, high-quality delivery, and knowledge transfer for the next generation. In parallel, we’ve worked to widen access to training — bridging geographic, social, and educational gaps. Offering one-to-one tuition for young people with individual learning needs, and working closely with parents, has been vital to ensuring no learner is left behind. Andy holds Scottish Disclosure certification, adding to our team’s credibility and trustworthiness in supporting young and vulnerable learners. Our work in crofting communities further reflects our ability to meet Scotland’s most remote training needs.
