For many island youngsters, securing a job that meets the requirements of your studies at home is often a fantasy.
However, for four young Shetlanders, that dream is actually a reality.
Thanks to an apprenticeship scheme on a major island windfarm project, four teenagers will be able to return home upon completion of their studies.
Aaron Regler, Edward Stanley, Owen Priest and Anna McDowall are all currently studying at Inverness College UHI to become wind turbine engineers.
The teenagers have all been successful in securing a place on a one-year apprenticeship course at the college aided by Vestas.
The Viking Wind Farm will consist of 103 wind turbines set around the central mainland of Shetland generating around 440mw of energy.
Up to 35 permanent jobs are proposed once the wind farm is operational with the local community to benefit from around £2.2 million of investment on an annual basis.
Danish turbine manufacturer Vestas is supporting the joint venture between SSE and the local community.
For the youngsters, the opportunity to work in their local community was a massive draw in signing up for the apprenticeship scheme.
Scheme provides transferrable skills and chance to remain at home
Seventeen-year-old Aaron from Sandwick said: “The apprenticeship scheme has lots of opportunities that can take you anywhere you want to go to.
“It is a growing industry too so it does give you opportunities and options.
“For me, I quite like being in Shetland. I have got my friends and family there.”
Owen, who is 19, added: “I definitely want to stay in Shetland.
“I have learnt new skills. It has been hard work but it is very balanced.”
Edward from Reawick said: “It is quite a long-term job and I can stay in it for a while.
“It has been a good experience and has enhanced my skills.”
Anna, who is 16 and from Voe, said her interest in wind energy sparked the decision to sign up for an apprenticeship.
She said: “I really wanted to get involved in the hands on side of work. Wind energy really interests me.
“Being in the workshop has probably been the most fun because you get to do the practical side of things and what we will actually be doing on the sites when we get there.
“I do really like Shetland so I am happy to go back there and be with family at the end of it all.”
Education provides pathway into working world
For lecturers at the college, training the next generation of wind farm engineers is just one of the programmes currently on offer.
Iain King, head of engineering technology at Inverness College UHI, said: “We have a multi range of skills required in the Highlands and islands.
“It is important to have a clear pathway for those studying to a job. It gives us a resilience within our economy, it supports a legacy for our society and of course, for young people as they leave school it is a transition into the employed world.”
Keith Wallace, service director of Vestas, praised the relationship developed with the college to bring youngsters through their apprenticeships.
Mr Wallace said: “We definitely see the importance of investing in the skills.
“One of the challenges of operating in the north of Scotland and Shetland is that it is so important to do that or else we won’t have the skills in the future.”
Mr Wallace added that the plan is to build on the success of current crop studying at Inverness College UHI by offering more opportunities in the future.
He added: “We want to be there for the long term and we want to be good citizens.
“It is important for us to invest for the future so we have the workforce for the future but also to be part of the community in Shetland.
“There is concern when bringing four young people out of Shetland and living here at a relatively young age but the feedback is that they are happy here and enjoying the learning experience.
“They are progressing really well and it is fantastic to see.”
Viking is SSE’s ‘most important onshore project’
The Viking wind farm is anticipated to last more than 25 years and has already provided some employment locally.
Derek Hastings, head of onshore projects with SSE, described Viking as SSE’s “most important onshore project currently running”.
He said: “Currently the project is employing about 100 people on the island who are local. So far the project has spent over £19m in Shetland.
“What we want to do is make as much of a contribution to the local community as we can.
“One way we feel we can help is by helping to provide jobs for young people who are leaving school.”
