Discover Helix
Discover Helix
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A new place to enjoy the outdoors

Something fantastic is happening in central Scotland, which just can't be ignored! An underused stretch of land between Grangemouth and Falkirk is being transformed into the Helix, a place where local people and visitors can come and revel in the outdoors.
Things to do
Walking
Other activities
Things to do

The Helix is promoting health! Spend time in the fresh air and you will feel the benefit. The new paths at Helix South are the ideal place to start. They have great surfaces and are well lit, creating a great environment for getting active, summer or winter, rain or shine.
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Plan your visit
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Community involvement
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Schools and Young People
- Schools and Young People
Allotments

Could be for you! Demand for allotments is growing throughout Scotland and the Falkirk area is no exception. Our new project will create allotments in the Helix South area, which will be managed with the support of the Falkirk Allotment Society.
Business
Opportunities
Environment
Enterprise at the Helix

The Helix is a place to relax and enjoy, a place to explore, but it also represents a significant and distinctive opportunity for local businesses to develop their leisure offer and grow as the site becomes busier over the coming years.

Email for business development-related enquiries:

helixbusiness@falkirk.gov.uk
News & Events
About Us

Project welcomes new apprentices

1 November 2011

The latest group of trainees to join the Helix Apprenticeship Programme are starting work in the Helix North area of the site.

The Helix apprenticeship programme is a joint venture between The Helix Trust, Falkirk Council's Employment & Training Unit (ETU), CSFT and Oatridge Training College.

The 12 youngsters, all aged between 16 and 19, have been employed on a one-year contract by Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT), one of the Helix project partners.

The apprentices will be taking an SVQ Level 2 in Landscaping and will continue to attend Oatridge College on a day release basis.

A team leader and assistant team leader have also been recruited to work with the apprentices. Both were previously unemployed.

The youngsters, all of whom live locally, will be employed on two Helix work programmes: path works and woodland clearance in the Abbotshaugh woodland in Helix North, as well as formation of a new path and woodland management in Helix South.

Earlier this year, the Helix teamed up with Falkirk Council's ETU to create the project's first apprentice opportunities. Three local youngsters were employed on six-month contracts as ground workers with contractor Land Engineering in Helix South.

Referring to the latest batch of 12 apprentices, Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the convener of Falkirk Council's economic strategy and development committee, said: "The Helix is a major project to create a new parkland between Falkirk and Grangemouth. A key part of the development work has been to provide good quality training opportunities for local people. I'm delighted to see the latest group of trainees start work on site. I hope the new trainees enjoy their time working on the project and gain valuable skills that will help them secure full-time jobs in the long-term."

Mike King, programme director for the Helix Trust, said: "We're delighted to offer the 12 apprentices a real opportunity to acquire new personal skills and experience through their work on the Helix site. By the end of their one-year programme, we're sure the apprentices will be armed with the knowledge and confidence to seek out good, well paid, permanent positions."

Simon Rennie, Chief Executive of Central Scotland Forest Trust, said: "CSFT are very pleased to help make this important piece of work happen. There is a huge need for this kind of training across central Scotland."

The 12 apprentices are: Jonathan Allan (16), Shieldhill; James Thomson (16), Falkirk; Dylan Murray (17), Bo'ness; Keir Carr (17), Denny; Ryan McLuckie (16), Denny; Shaun Nicholson (17), Falkirk; Brendan Sweeney (17), Falkirk; Callum Graham (17), Falkirk; Scott Barrie (19), Falkirk; Callum Smith (16,) Larbert; Dillon Wilson (17), Falkirk; and Andrew Frew (16), Grangemouth.