Windfarm community benefit funds 20 apprentices at Cumnock firm

The £72k cheque from The The 9CC Group is the latest phase of a pioneering four-year £1.5 million investment in young Cumnock and Doon Valley residents, taking the current total to 20.

The apprenticeships initiative has been seed funded by an advance payment of £120K community benefit following an agreement negotiated by The 9CC Group which co-ordinates windfarm benefit for nine East Ayrshire communities.

The investment generated almost £900K in match funding from Emergency One and significant support costs from East Ayrshire Council’s Economic Development Service, and has seen the group launch the apprenticeship programme in summer 2024.

Recruitment to join the Cumnock based firm was only open to local residents in the 9CCG area of:

• Auchinleck
• Cumnock
• Dalmellington
• Drongan, Rankinston and Stair
• Logan, Lugar and Cronberry
• New Cumnock
• Netherthird
• Ochiltree and Skares
• Patna

Nine apprentices have already completed their first year under the partnership:

Apprentice coachbuilders

• Alexander Blackwood
• Connor Miller
• Kai Martin
• Leighton Marshall
• Ryan Hamilton

Fitters

• Ben Holland
• Lewis Kennedy

Electricians

• Callum Kimmett
• David McGill
• Kelvin Mouzer
• Kieran Britton
• Lewis Owens

Derek King, the 9CCG representative for Cumnock, said:

“We are delighted to continue working with prestigious local employers E1 to help young people learn valuable skills and build rewarding careers. Our Strategic Area Fund Pilot is a powerful force for community good, and we wish the new cohort of apprentices every success.”

Kai Martin, from Auchinleck said:

“I’ve always wanted to work here, and I went to college for the last two years and that’s me set for a four-year apprenticeship.

“It’s been good getting to know people in the work and it’s easier knowing people.

“I’m not one of these people that hates coming to their work, it’s good having a laugh and chat with people and then get stuck into your work.

“That support for apprentices is vital, because a lot of people can maybe work with a family member, but I went to college to do a PEO and now I’m here, so it’s brilliant.”

Lewis Owens, from Cumnock said:

“I knew a few people who worked in here and then E1 staff came into the school to speak about it, and I thought it would be something I’d enjoy.

“This kind of work was something I wanted to do as a young age, and the people here have made things a lot easier for me.

“These opportunities are important because not a lot of young people can say they leave school and work in a factory with hundreds of people.

“It’s important for kids that leave school who maybe can’t drive, so they know they’ve got this opportunity on their doorstep.”

Ayrshire College is the training provider, working with E1 to offer qualifications covering engineering, coachbuilding, electrical, fitting, welding and spray painting.

Chloe Findlay, Financial Officer of the charitable organisation 9CCG said:

“Our communities share a collective strategic vision to deliver a lasting legacy that ensures our area is one where people want to live, work and play. A vital part of delivering that is creating career opportunities for our young people and funding local employment.

“The success of the first round of funding with Emergency One and East Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (EALEP) has given us renewed confidence to continue working closely with local employers to provide meaningful new careers for Cumnock and Doon Valley school pupils.

“Our commitment to all our communities goes beyond simply administering funds. It’s about leveraging our credibility and track record as the area’s leading organisation for community benefit to build constructive relationships with employers and developers. In this case it has resulted in wind farm money being paid voluntarily, and well before the first turbines became operational, to deliver much needed jobs now.”

The four-year course is the first Ayrshire employability partnership using windfarm community benefit to provide local apprenticeships through employability schemes. The investment also covers equipment, including PPE, and employment support for the duration of their apprenticeships.

Stephanie Carr, HR manager at Emergency One, said:

“We are delighted that the initial success of the initiative has led to another round of recruitment. We have a strong tradition of training trade apprentices from the local community and this is a brilliant opportunity for more young people to develop lifelong skills in traditional trades.

“The programme positively impacts on our business, helping strengthen our skills base and ensure we continue to produce the highest quality fire appliances in the world."

“Apprentices will not only learn trades like welding, spray painting, mechanical fitting, coachbuilding, and auto electrics but also low-carbon skills sector as we drive towards Net Zero.”

It has been supported by advance community benefit funding from Brockwell Energy.

Depute Leader of East Ayrshire Council, Jim McMahon said:

“I’m absolutely delighted that we’re delivering local jobs for local young people. It’s important for the whole community that these apprenticeships are created and expanded, helping to tackle the issue of depopulation.

“Seeing the apprentices with the smiles on their faces, says it all for me. I still remember when I went to take my place at work for the first time and how proud I was to be joining the workforce and working with people I knew and respected. Talking to these trainees it’s clear they feel that way too.

“So many have said how much they value being able to work locally and the confidence it gives them to be with people they already know. They fully appreciate the quality of training they’re receiving in an interesting and rewarding career path.

“This is a great example of how community benefits from green energy can be put to good use by council, college and an innovative private sector to build a confident and skilled workforce to help Cumnock and surrounding areas to thrive.

“Delivering community led regeneration and wealth building is vital if we are to learn the lessons of the past and shape a positive and sustainable future where every community benefits.”

David McDowall, Head of Economic Growth at East Ayrshire council said:

“Partnerships like these help create the foundations for our economy and local prosperity by enhancing the future prospects for individuals and supporting those schools and businesses anchored in our communities.

“Historically Cumnock and Doon Valley provided the coal which drove the industrial revolution in our nation, and came through some hard times when that came to an end.

“Now that same landscape is becoming a green energy powerhouse. It’s fantastic to see us learn the legacy lessons of our coal mining past by ensuring we are strategically positioned to maximise long term benefits for our communities and our people.”

“Only by working together – developers, communities, businesses and schools - can we grow our local economy and support our young people and provide the collective economic platform for future prosperity.”

Find out more: 

• 9CCG group website
• Emergency One website