Windfarm community benefit funds 20 apprentices at Cumnock firm

Emergency One, the UK’s leading manufacturer of specialist fire and rescue service appliances, has received a funding boost for 12 new trade apprentices.

The £72k cheque from The The 9CC Group is the latest phase of a pioneering four-year £1.5 million investment in young Cumnock and Doon Valley residents, taking the current total to 20.

The apprenticeships initiative has been seed funded by an advance payment of £120K community benefit following an agreement negotiated by The 9CC Group which co-ordinates windfarm benefit for nine East Ayrshire communities.

The investment generated almost £900K in match funding from Emergency One and significant support costs from East Ayrshire Council’s Economic Development Service, and has seen the group launch the apprenticeship programme in summer 2024.

Recruitment to join the Cumnock based firm was only open to local residents in the 9CCG area of:

• Auchinleck

• Cumnock

• Dalmellington

• Drongan, Rankinston and Stair

• Logan, Lugar and Cronberry

• New Cumnock

• Netherthird

• Ochiltree and Skares

• Patna

  
  

Nine apprentices have already completed their first year under the partnership:

Apprentice coachbuilders

• Alexander Blackwood

• Connor Miller

• Kai Martin

• Leighton Marshall

• Ryan Hamilton

  
  

Fitters

• Ben Holland

• Lewis Kennedy

  
  

Electricians

• Callum Kimmett

• David McGill

• Kelvin Mouzer

• Kieran Britton

• Lewis Owens