Jones Bros support apprentices at Clyde wind farm extension17th Mar 2016

Apprentices from civil engineering company Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK are putting their training into practice at a major wind farm development in Scotland.

Trainee plant operatives Kevin Kiecher, Dylan Morrison and Adam Masterton, who were taken on as apprentices by Jones Bros in 2015, began work at the 54-turbine Clyde Wind Farm extension at the end of January.

The trio will be based at Clyde until the end of the summer, learning how to drive and use heavy construction machinery, such as forward tipping dump trucks and excavators.

They will be joined by further intakes of apprentices in spring 2016.

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK is delivering balance of plant as part of a joint venture with the project’s civil contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of SSE, one of the UK’s biggest power generators.

The wind farm extension is located to the north east of the operational Clyde wind farm site situated between Biggar, Abington and Moffat. Currently, work is under way to construct its turbine bases.

In May, Jones Bros will be recruiting 12 new apprentices for its plant operator and general construction operatives courses. The intake will include apprentices who will be based at the Clyde Wind Farm Extension.

Plant operative apprentice Kevin, 25, from Ballingry in Fife, said: “I’ve been an apprentice with Jones Bros for almost a year now, and spent last summer working on a wind farm expansion and hydropower project near Argyll.

“The time we spend on site really helps us develop our skills, and gives us a chance to learn from our more experienced mentors.

“The Clyde wind farm is a fantastic project with a lot of challenges, and we’re all looking forward to spending more time here.”

Garod Evans, project manager for Jones Bros, said: “We really value the contribution apprentices make to our projects across the UK.

“Kevin, Dylan and Adam have settled in well and shown great potential for a bright future with us.

“We will soon be recruiting more young people who are looking to start their career in construction in 2016. We’ll release more information on how to apply for these positions in March.”

Founded in the 1950s and employing 350 people, Jones Bros has grown significantly in the last decade. It is currently working on contracts including the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence and renewable energy projects around the UK.

For further information on Jones Bros apprenticeship scheme please visit our careers page.