Apprentices gain experience at windfarm schemes

TWO teenagers have gained vital work experience at multi-million-pound windfarm schemes in this region. As part of the Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK’s commitment to nurturing the future of the industry, Charlie Chambers and Oliver Evans were able to head out on site. Charlie spent a month at Sanquhar II, a 44-turbine scheme that will be the fourth largest wind farm in the UK, while Oliver headed to 20-turbine Windy Standard III. Eighteen-year-old Charlie said: “It’s a great project to be a part of. You never know when you are going to need renewable energy in the future, so it was good to get out on site. “I was working closely with the plant drivers, diggers and dumpers, helping survey the land and giving them levels. “We were also working with the cabling team, advising them on where to lay the cables, what watercourses might be in the way, and working out solutions, either temporary or permanent.” Sharing his experience, Oliver added: “It was fantastic to get stuck straight in to work on site, whether that was finding out the distance from compound to turbines via AutoCAD, uploading designs to GPS, or surveying along the roads to get an idea of the topography.” Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people. The company runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has produced nearly 40 per cent of its current workforce, with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. For more information, visit www.jones-bros.com