Training
The AJE extensive training programme continues with eight members of staff at different stages.
Hayden Windsor (16) has joined the fabrication/welder team at Waterford after leaving Forres Academy in June.
He is one of three to have recently undertaken a four-year course, modern apprenticeship in fabrication/welding and was inspired by his dad and grandad who also did apprenticeships.
“School wasn’t really for me,” said Hayden who lives in Kintessack, “I was keen to get out of school and saw the apprenticeship opportunity advertised on social media. I didn’t really know fully what it entailed, but I researched it and thought it could be something I would enjoy. Both my dad and grandad were apprentices and had talked positively about them, so I always knew this would be something that I might do.”
Hayden started with AJE at the end of August and is enjoying his work: “I thought when I first started that I might just end up doing small jobs, but on my first day I was welding. I am treated as one of the team and I am enjoying earning some money and the learning and working.”
Also embarking on an apprenticeship is 17-year-old Calum MacPherson. He is undertaking a graduate apprentice in design and manufacturing with Robert Gordon University.
From Fochabers, he learned about AJE’s apprenticeship opportunities at a careers’ open day at the Mansfield Hotel in Elgin where he met with office manager Fiona.
“It was interesting to find out more about AJE and realise that I could study, gain experience, get paid and work on real time projects. I have always been interested and liked maths and physics so engineering seems like a logical route.”
As well as training at AJE, the company also has a relationship with Nigg Skills Academy and three others have recently completed SVQ2 and National Certificate in fabrication/welding there after undertaking an intensive 16-week course. They will now continue their modern apprenticeship in the workplace.
Office manager, Fiona Anderson, “Training and apprenticeship opportunities are ongoing all the time at AJE and we have become renowned for our fantastic apprenticeship scheme. We attract people in different ways, from our website and social media channels to attending events in schools or that are run by partners such as DYW Moray. It’s great to meet with young people and educate them on the fantastic opportunities that are available right here in Forres.”
