The SSE Kyle of Sutherland Apprenticeship Scheme, wholly funded from the community benefit generated by SSE’s 38MW Achany wind farm, was launched in 2010 after the local advisory panel sought to support economic regeneration in the area and tackle the problem of youth migration.
Supported by SSE and Foundation Scotland and using a six-figure sum from the Achany wind farm community fund, the panel set up an innovative apprenticeship scheme to enable small businesses to employ and train apprentices from within the Ardgay & District, Creich and Lairg communities.
The scheme matches a local business that has the potential for growth with a young person looking for a career in that area and provides financial help with costs involved in business support, travel, accommodation and training. The amount of financial support to any business can be anything up to £12,000 although is often matched with support provided by industry governing bodies such as SECTT, SNIPEF or Construction Skills.
So far, seven apprentices have been supported by the scheme, including budding joiners, plumbers, plant fitters and even an equine manager, gaining valuable work experience whilst also training for a recognised qualification.
Steps have been taken to make sure any funding leads to a sustainable benefit. As part of the assessment process, the scheme administrator works with the business owner to decide if taking on an apprentice, even with external funding, makes financial sense and that any recruitment will last for the long term.
Chair of the Ardgay and District Community Council and Achany panel member, David Hannah, said: “The primary focus of the Achany Community Fund is to stimulate economic regeneration in the Kyle of Sutherland. During the first year of the fund it was therefore important to identify strategic projects which would support business development in the community. The idea of a local apprenticeship scheme was proposed, which would have the added benefit of boosting youth employment in the area.
“A lot of young people that wanted to stay in the area and find work, but local business, although willing, were often unable to make the financial commitment needed to hire an apprentice. The apprenticeship scheme has bridged that gap are we are really pleased with the results.
“We’re looking to build on this success and are currently looking at ways of how the scheme can continue to support local businesses and young people in the future, either through more local funding or by widening the scope and reach of the scheme.”
Speaking at the launch of SSE’s new £1m Highland Sustainable Development Fund, which has skills development and employment as one of its three priority areas, SSE Managing Director, Corporate Affairs, Alan Young said:
“We want the funds generated by our wind farms to have a long-lasting effect on the communities they support. The Kyle of Sutherland apprenticeship scheme is a practical illustration of this and shows what can happen when intelligent communities work together to tackle a problem.
“The scheme is a win-win for the community as it offers both an opportunity to support the economic growth of a important local business and also provides an employment opportunity for a young person who may otherwise leave the area.
“We’ve identified skills development as a key area for the Highland-wide SSE Sustainable Development Fund and I’d be happy if we had applications of this calibre come forward as part of that process.”