Former wind technician and AIS Training delegate Grant MacNeill has launched a new company to help tackle skills shortages in the wind sector.
22-year-old Grant from Glasgow set up Techwind UK after identifying an opportunity to help the fast-growing wind industry recruit experienced and skilled personnel. Now the company has already scooped its first contract to supply seven experienced wind technicians to carry out maintenance work on a wind farm in Scotland through a major wind client.
Grant, who originally trained as a car mechanic, successfully transferred his skills with industrial training specialist AIS at its state-of-the-art industrial training village in North Tyneside, to become a fully qualified wind technician. Very quickly Grant secured his first job inspecting wind turbines in Cornwall but after working in the wind industry for several months recognized the difficulties wind companies had finding skilled and qualified personnel to deliver contracts.
Grant used his expertise and network of contacts – many of which were made during his time at AIS Training – to form Techwind and provide a solution to the problem.
Grant said: “There are huge opportunities within the renewables sector with many wind farms currently being constructed around the UK and throughout the world - these all need to be built and maintained. However, despite these opportunities, there is a lack of experienced personnel to fill the positions and many wind companies struggle to find the right people.
“I knew I could help. As well as having an in-depth knowledge of the sector and experience of the skills required to deliver the day-to-day tasks, I have built up a large network of contacts who either work in the wind sector or have transferable skills. This means I can quickly identify the best person with the right skills and competencies for the job and get them mobilized swiftly to deliver a contract. Techwind has already had a lot of interest from the sector and I’m delighted to have secured my first contract. The next stage is to look for office premises in North Ayrshire to help the business grow further. I’m so pleased I retrained with AIS Training – it was definitely the right decision and the skills and contacts I made there have helped me to go on and set up my own company. I can’t recommend them highly enough.”
Operations manager for training at AIS, Sean Green said: “We’re delighted to hear of Grant’s success. His experience shows that with the right attitude and the correct competency training, people can upskill or transfer existing skills and go on to achieve highly rewarding careers.”
To find out more about Techwind visit www.techwindukltd.co.uk or for more information on AIS Training visit training.aisgroup.co.uk
