Thanks to continued growth and exciting developments within the industry, AES Solar are delighted to welcome twelve new members of staff to their Forres based team.
Over the past 18-months, we have seen growth and recruitment when others have scaled back their recruitment opportunities. We have more than doubled in size over the past five years. Currently employing 30 members of staff, we already have additional plans for recruitment in the near future.
Our proud 40+ year history has led to an excellent reputation within the market. We focus on quality, expertise and high levels of customer service. We also understand the benefit of putting people over profit. As a result, we continue to flourish even during times of uncertainty.
Solar Pioneers
Ceasing nonessential operations in April 2020, we were fully operational by August of the same year. No employees have been made redundant during this time. This is in line with our commitment to our workforce and the local economy. We have since continued to grow from strength to strength.
Joined by four full-time staff in 2020, we welcomed Jordan MacDonald in the role of Operation Coordinator. Connor Sneddon also took up our Graduate Electrical Engineer position. We also formed an in-house installation team with Kevin Walker as Solar Installer and David Roszak as Solar Electrician.
We fully utilised government schemes during this time to turn the covid-19 pandemic into a positive. This included our full support of the Kickstart Scheme. The Kickstart Scheme allows companies, such as AES Solar to access a large pool of young people with potential, ready for an opportunity as we come out of the pandemic. We used the scheme to fill two positions within our factory and office in Forres.
Kickstart Employment
Lee MacDonald joined the company as a Kickstarter in April taking up the role of Manufacturing and Warehouse Assistant. Following this positive experience, we hired Rebecca Robson as a Sales and Administration Assistant, another welcome addition to the team. We are also firm supporters of modern apprenticeships. As a result of this, we hired Dylan Strachan as a Manufacturing and Warehouse Apprentice in 2021.
In August of this year, we were happy to fill a Maintenance Coordinator position. Duncan Kelly is a valuable addition to the team, working directly with our maintenance and servicing customers.
We also have our first female engineer, Keira Wright, who joins us as a graduate apprentice. Keira will have the opportunity to work as part of the technical team while gaining her degree through Robert Gordon University.
In September we welcomed an additional solar installer, Jamie Thow, joining our in-house installation team in the north of Scotland.
Lastly, as recently as the week commencing 15/11 we hired not one but two new starts! We welcomed Jonathan Pearce back, a familiar face to the AES Solar workforce who will be joining our sales team. And our final recruit to date, Craig Hepburn has joined our in-house installation team as Solar Installer forming part of a now four-man strong team.
Bright Future
All new staff will play a valuable part in increasing operational capacity. This recruitment is creating good opportunities in an exciting sector, all within Moray. With five potential new job openings on the horizon and additional growth for AES Solar, these exciting developments will continue into 2022.
Managing Director George Goudsmit said, “There is no denying these past 18-months have been hard. I am so delighted to welcome these ten new members of staff to the team. Their fresh perspective and ideas will benefit staff, customers and the local community alike.
The renewables industry is an exciting sector to work in and it’s here to stay. Its resilience to the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that. This is part of a larger picture and a growing acceptance to tackle the climate crisis. I cannot wait to work alongside these new recruits and continue to grow the team both in the foreseeable future and for many years to come. Watch this space!”
