Tea Break: Kate Langley

In our fortnightly feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This week, we welcome Kate Langley, a double bass player (in her free time) whose day job is all about helping others get into work.

Please introduce yourself...

I've recently taken up a dual post as the DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) Co-ordinator for Harris and an Employability Training Officer.

What’s your story so far?

My family moved to Harris in 2009 when my daughter Fiona was one, and my son Ally was three.

My husband Tim and I stayed at The Schoolhouse in Reinigeadal on honeymoon in 1998 and actually did fall in love with the place. We made a ten year plan to buy a plot and build a house, and we've been here ever since. When The Schoolhouse came up for sale a few years back we managed to buy that and now run it as a self-catering cottage.

I've had several jobs here, most recently in the Volunteer Centre and as an SfLA (Support for Learning Assistant) in Sir E Scott school. My kids have now gone on to study elsewhere (Ally at Edinburgh University, Fiona at the Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton) and this year I turned 50, so decided it was time for a change.

Tell us about your current role?

My role is to help the young people of Harris to find out about opportunities available to them during and after they leave school. Sometimes the amount of information out there is overwhelming, so I'm here to help with career path-ways, job applications, apprenticeships and post-school study options.

A big part of my role in school is organising work experience placements for pupils in S3 and S6. I can help with CV and application preparation, benefits, employability skills and work placements.

How can you help people in Harris?

I can help by listening to their story and helping them to find the right path, whether that’s an extended work placement, an apprenticeship, further study or an online course. For Employability, I can help anyone seeking to find work, whether they are recently or long-term unemployed, thinking about returning after their circumstances change, new to the area, or seeking a new challenge.

How can local employers help you?

Our young people need to have work experience placements that are appropriate and beneficial. For S3 pupils their work experience is Harris-based, so I'm always looking for employers who can offer a week-long placement locally. Other ways they can help are by offering site visits, or by coming into school to talk with or demonstrate to specific groups of pupils. There are several national focus weeks throughout the year where I will ask employers to help by supplying a fact-sheet or a career profile - so if you are a local employer don't be alarmed if you get an email from me at some point!

What are your favourite Harris places?

I love to walk on a beach. I don't get to do it very often but when I do it's always a joy. My favourite is Scarista closely followed by Hushinish. There's something so calming about a walk in the sand, barefoot, with no-one else around. Of course for sea swimming and messing about in boats (or kay-aks) I would say Rhenigidale, every time. It has easy access and no sand, plus it's only about 100 yards from my front door.

What do you do when not working?

There's always something to do outside work. I'm involved as an Adult Volunteer with the local Cadet Detachment - both my kids were Cadets and it's good to be able to give some-thing back. It's such an awesome opportunity for young peo-ple and I would love to see more joining from Harris, both Cadets and adult volunteers.

I recently joined the Western Isles Trad Orchestra (double bass) and it's been great to get back playing in a group again after a long gap. When the weather permits I love to get out in the garden or on the croft, I've planted a lot of trees and have to keep checking up on them as the wind and the occa-sional deer play havoc with my careful planning! I like to swim and play badminton and I also spend a lot of time read-ing - my favourite author is Terry Pratchett, and am currently binge-watching Dr Who.

Tea break time. What are you having?

I've never liked tea at all - I'm a confirmed coffee addict. I'll take a cappuccino and a plateful of ginger nuts please!

Contact Kate via www.dywouterhebrides.com or info@dywouterhebrides.com