Finlay is first modern apprentice at Sutherland firm GMG Energy
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A student from Portskerra has become the first modern apprentice taken on by a renewables and timber-processing business based in north Sutherland.
Finlay Mackay (18) said he had jumped at the chance to undertake his apprenticeship in mechanical maintenance engineering with GMG Energy of Halladale. The company described the move as a milestone in its growth.
Educated at Melvich Primary School and Farr High, Finlay studied fabrication and welding at the Thurso campus of UHI North Highland.
He explained: “My tutor at college told me that this apprenticeship opportunity was about to come up and I jumped at the chance to apply. After a week’s trial I was offered the position.
“Together with my employer, I will be learning my trade over the next three years alongside UHI North Highland in Thurso. But because I have already done a year at college, I will not need to go into class so I can build a portfolio with evidence from my practical work that will be completed on site.
"So far, I am loving it and it’s great to feel part of a small and valued team.”
GMG Energy founder and owner Malcolm Morrison said: “I knew after his week’s trial that Finlay was the right person for us. Before his apprenticeship gets formally under way in September he has been working with us at our sawmill every day and occasionally helping out with some engineering tasks.
“We want him to enjoy himself while learning his trade and we have high hopes for his progress and ultimate success.
"Our most important assets are the people working in our business. They give us productivity, their time and commitment.
"Without them, this business would not be successful and profitable.”
Liam Sutherland of UHI North Highland said: “Malcolm enquired directly about finding an apprentice and, after a discussion to find out what he wanted, a placement was set up.
“Malcolm is great to deal with and is committed to investing in youth and the local area. I visited his operation and was not sure, initially, how an engineering apprentice would be required at a sawmill – but it all made it sense after visiting, since Finlay’s role will involve servicing all the machinery on site."
Established in 2016, GMG Energy operates a state-of-the-art sawmill on a farm in Strath Halladale, producing kiln-dried logs, chip and sawdust for consumers and wholesalers.
It makes door-to-door deliveries throughout the north Highlands and manufactures timber products for agricultural businesses, builders and consumers. It also supplies bark for garden centres, sawdust for livestock and dried chip for supply to local businesses and councils.
GMG Energy says it is committed to replacing every log of timber it uses, planting about 20,000 trees in 2021. As a result, it says, businesses across the north and the islands can reduce their carbon footprint by sourcing locally.
The business won the best natural capital project at the Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference (SHREC) Awards 2022.
