Sutherland apprentice's 'excellent progress' at north coast firm GMG Energy convinces bosses to take on another trainee
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The “excellent progress” made by the first Modern Apprentice to join a Sutherland-based renewables and timber-processing business in 2022 has convinced the company’s owners that another apprenticeship vacancy could be created.
GMG Energy, which operates on a farm in the picturesque Halladale strath, hired 18-year-old Finlay Mackay from Portskerra two years ago to undertake an apprenticeship in mechanical maintenance engineering.
And now, according to GMG Energy director and former Satander agricultural banker, Malcolm Morrison, Finlay’s progress and positive attitude to his work has been ‘excellent’.
He said: “Having an apprentice like Finlay in our company has proved to be a very pleasing experience. It’s great to have someone around who is always positive and happy as his attitude is infectious.
“We all enjoy seeing a young person seize an opportunity and develop and grow. We also try to make sure he understands that he is making a valuable contribution.
“We have just celebrated Scottish Apprenticeship Week (March 4-8) and I would say to all employers, take the time to appoint the right person and help them on their life journey because the rewards you get from them are very positive.
“And, yes, we will take on another apprentice when we find the right individual.”
Educated at Melvich Primary School and Farr High School in Bettyhill, Finlay studied fabrication and welding at the Thurso campus of UHI North Highland College, before landing the opportunity to undertake his apprenticeship with GMG Energy.
He said: “I feel my apprenticeship is going great so far. I am learning a lot and focusing on improving my skills on a wide variety of machines and vehicles on site. I am currently working on the refurbishment and repair of a woodchip fired biomass boiler.
“No two days are the same at GMG Energy. I love the variety of work that I get to do. It’s also a lovely place to work in the summer.”
When asked if other young people should consider becoming an apprentice, Finlay said: “Go for it. Getting paid to learn is brilliant. It’s a good way to develop your skills and knowledge.
“I am studying through Thurso College but I do all the work at home in the evenings. I have to build up a portfolio that covers the criteria of my apprenticeship which I will then submit online to the college.
“I will finish up with an SVQ Level 3 qualification in mechanical maintenance, but I hope to do an HNC after that.”
Established in 2016, GMG Energy operates a state-of-the-art sawmill on a farm in the Halladale Strath between Tongue and Thurso, producing kiln-dried logs, chips and sawdust for consumers and wholesalers.
It makes door-to-door deliveries throughout the northern Highlands and manufactures timber products for agricultural businesses, contractors, and consumers. It also supplies bark for garden centres, sawdust for livestock and dried chips for supply to local businesses and councils.
GMG Energy is committed to replacing every log of timber it uses, planting about 20,000 trees in 2021.
As a result, businesses across the North and the Islands can reduce their carbon footprint by sourcing locally.
The company recently won the best natural capital project at the Scottish Highland Renewable Energy Conference (SHREC) Awards 2022.
