Martin Birse Receives Employer Recognition Award for April

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray is excited to announce that Martin Birse has been named Employer of the Month for April 2025

Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray is excited to announce that Martin Birse has been named Employer of the Month for April 2025. This recognition is a nod to his outstanding commitment to supporting young people in Moray, helping them find pathways into meaningful careers.

Martin is a familiar face in Moray, known for his work in farming management, rural business consulting, and community leadership. For many years, Martin has been passionate about offering young people the chance to learn about the world of agriculture and rural industries. Through his work at Pitgaveny Farms and his own consultancy, Martin has made sure that young people have opportunities to gain real experience and understand the career possibilities in the rural sector.

As well as running his consultancy, Martin is an active member of the DYW Moray board, where he helps shape the programme’s direction. His involvement has been crucial in creating stronger links between schools, young people, and local businesses. Martin’s work has helped ensure that young people in Moray are exposed to a variety of career options and gain the skills they need to thrive in today’s job market.

Martin is also the treasurer of the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI), a charity that works with schools across the north of Scotland. In this role, Martin helps bring the countryside into the classroom, whether through farm visits, classroom activities, or seasonal projects. By engaging young people with farming and food production, he’s helping to connect them with careers they might not have considered before.

Beyond his work with DYW and RNCI, Martin has also worked with businesses like James Jones & Sons Ltd, supporting them in sustainable land use and timber products. His consultancy helps connect businesses with future leaders in rural enterprises, giving young people a chance to explore career opportunities in the sector.

As a former president of Rotary Elgin, Martin has also worked on numerous community projects, many focused on supporting youth initiatives in Moray.

“Martin has always been passionate about giving young people the tools they need to succeed, especially in the Land Based Sector,” says Sarah Barnes, Programme Manager for DYW Moray. “His dedication to providing opportunities, sharing his experience and helping young people find their place in the world of work is exactly what we aim to highlight through our Employer Recognition awards. He is so deserving of this achievement so thank you to Martin from the DYW Moray team.”

For more information about DYW Moray and its Employer Recognition initiative, visit dywmoray.co.uk.