Windfarm Cash Funds 10 new Apprenticeships

Recruitment will shortly begin for a further 10 East Ayrshire residents to join the firm as part of community funded apprenticeships.

The news was announced as the partnership between the 9CC Group, the charitable organisation co-ordinating windfarm benefit across nine East Ayrshire communities, East Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership and Emergency One celebrated Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

The initiative provides more than £1.5 million funding over four years for 20 trade apprentices, with the initial recruits, all from East Ayrshire schools, set to complete their first year in summer.

Stephen McCarron, chief operating officer of the 9CC Group said: “Funding local employment and creating career opportunities for our young people is just one part of our strategic vision to deliver a lasting legacy for our communities and ensure that our area is one where people want to live, work and play.

“The partnership with Emergency One and East Ayrshire Council has already launched the careers of the first group of apprentices, and we are delighted that we can now announce the next round of recruitment.”

Community benefit fund investment of £120,000 from Brockwell Energy, has allowed the Strategic Area Fund Pilot to support the £1.4m investment in local school leavers by Emergency One and East Ayrshire Council. Successful candidates must live in the Cumnock and Doon Valley area of East Ayrshire.

The four-year course is the first Ayrshire partnership using windfarm community benefit to provide local jobs through employability schemes. The investment also covers equipment, including PPE, and employment support for the duration of their apprenticeships. Ayrshire College is working with Emergency One as the training provider, to offer qualifications.

Stephanie Carr, HR manager at Emergency One, said: “We have a strong tradition of training trade apprentices from the local community, and are delighted that the initial success of this initiative has led to another round of recruitment. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop lifelong skills in traditional trades like mechanical fitting, coachbuilding, welding, spray painting and auto electrical, as well as being trained for work in the low-carbon sector.”

“As producers of the world’s first fully electric pumping appliance, we see the apprentice programme as having a positive impact on our business, helping to strengthen our skills base and ensure we continue to produce the highest quality fire appliances in the world."

David McDowall, Head of Economic Growth at East Ayrshire council said: “Working with local businesses and education to create positive opportunities is the best way to make positive lasting change for our communities.

“It is testament to all of the partners that the success of the first intake has given us the confidence to continue to invest in the scheme and our young people. Initiatives like these enhance the future prospects for individuals, and help create the foundations for our economy and local prosperity.

“Historically the coal mines of the Cumnock and Doon Valley served the whole country as an energy powerhouse. We are now delivering green energy through wind powered electricity and it is great to see local people and our communities benefit though local funding and employment.”

Ian Burgoyne, Joint Chair of the East Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (EALEP) said: “Scottish Apprenticeship Week is an important reminder of the positive benefits of creating opportunities for our young people and providing them with the skillset to build lifelong careers.

“Communities and businesses can all benefit from investing in our young people and giving them a solid foundation for life and we welcome the ongoing success of this pioneering partnership.”

Iain Cockburn, CFO of Brockwell Energy which provided upfront community funding of £600k for the 9CC Group including £120k for the local apprenticeship schem, said: “This is a great example of how windfarm funding can make a difference to communities and we applaud the 9CC Group for working with EAC and Emergency One to help coordinate this initiative to obtain a multiple of that investment through match funding.”

Scottish Apprenticeship Week runs from March 3 to 7 to highlight how apprentices are critical to help grow and expand the nation’s workforce, as well as showcasing the positive impact it has on the individuals, local businesses and communities.

Useful information

• 9CC webpages
• Emergency One webpages
• Jobs and Careers in East Ayrshire 
• Employability help for employers, East Ayrshire Council