GMG Energy hires its second Modern Apprentice – Lee Chapman from Thurso begins as an apprentice joiner
A second Modern Apprentice has joined Sutherland renewable business GMG Energy following the success of its first apprentice, Finlay Mackay – now a time-served mechanical maintenance engineer. The Halladale-based business has recruited Thurso teenager Lee Chapman as an apprentice joiner.
Over the course of his four yearlong apprenticeship Lee will report to GMG Energy’s sawmill manager, Vasile Damian, 32, a joiner to trade and originally from Romania who has lived in Thurso for the last 17 years and oversees the six full-time employees and production of more than 2,000 tonnes of timber a year.
Vasile said: “We have high hopes for Lee, who we were introduced to by Alistair Bremner at UHI Thurso College. We had been searching for a second apprentice to learn how we do things here while getting a first-class training.
“I have mentored a number of joinery apprentices over the years and believe that his site-based training will stand him in good stead as a time-served joiner. He had a few weeks’ work experience with us, which was also a trial period, last year and enjoyed the work.
“His initial focus will be on our processes and procedures such as health and safety before moving onto projects. Lee will get a great grounding in bench joinery, mostly by hand as well as machinery work.
“It will be interesting and exciting for everyone to see how he progresses and helps the business, which has expanded significantly over the last couple of years. GMG is in a good place to offer apprenticeships and it will be useful to have an extra pair of hands on site.”
GMG Energy Director, Malcolm Morrison, said: “We are grateful to the Caithness Business Fund which is supporting GMG Energy’s apprenticeship through the FutureSkills apprenticeship scheme which is managed by Caithness Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Fund.
“Lee started with us officially on Monday 3 March, which was also the start of the annual Scottish Apprentice Week, so we see that as a happy coincidence. Our experience with our former apprentice, Finlay, was very positive and I’m confident that in Lee we have a young person who will work hard, learn on the job and be a credit to himself and his family.”
Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “February 2025 marked the first anniversary of the FutureSkills scheme, launched with the support of NRS Dounreay, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), and West of Orkney Wind Farm. Over the past year, the scheme has provided grants of up to £24,500 to SMEs across the North Highlands, helping to cover employment and training costs for apprentices.
“Caithness Business Fund is a private sector fund established to distribute grants to small businesses within the Caithness and North Sutherland area. The Fund's mission is to promote the economic growth of Caithness and North Sutherland by supporting new and existing businesses and developing the skill base to meet new challenges.
“And, of course, we also want to express our congratulations to Lee, Malcolm, Vasile and all the team at GMG Energy. We wish them great success and steady growth over the coming year and beyond.”
Written by comms@caithnesschamber.com
Caithness Business Fund
Naver Business Centre, Naver House, Naver Road, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7QA
Registered in Scotland: SC450693
