We are proud to share that we are a Scottish Apprenticeship Awards Finalist 2026.
We have been named a finalist in the SME Employer of the Year category at this year’s awards. Even more special, our own Kiera Wright, has also been named a finalist in the Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year category.
Kiera will be heading to Glasgow on Thursday the 26th of February alongside Claire, Matthew and Jamie to represent the company. While the event promises to be a fantastic night, this recognition goes beyond a single evening of celebration. It represents over a decade of apprenticeships at aes renewables and our commitment to inspiring the next generation of renewable energy heroes.
In this blog post we’ll shine a light on our apprenticeship awards finalist 2026 journey and highlight some of Kiera’s award worthy apprenticeship achievements!
Our Apprenticeship Awards Finalist 2026 Journey
We first became an apprenticeship employer in 2015. Since then, we have supported 19 apprenticeship programmes across a wide range of disciplines, from Plumbing and Electrical to Engineering, Digital Applications, Business Management and Marketing. Today, more than 20% of our team is either undertaking or has completed an apprenticeship.
Operating in the North of Scotland, we understand the challenge of youth migration in our local communities. Many young people feel they have to leave the area to pursue higher education or career opportunities. By offering high-quality, fairly paid apprenticeships locally, we are helping talented individuals build meaningful careers without leaving the region they call home.
The results speak for themselves. Every apprentice who has completed their programme with us has remained with the company, progressing into qualified roles and taking on increased responsibility. Former apprentices now lead installation teams, mentor new recruits and contribute to the business’ overall growth.
Scotland’s Green Skills
Scotland has set ambitious solar targets, yet industry research highlights significant green skills shortages that could slow this progress. We see apprenticeships as one of the most practical and effective ways to address this challenge.
Over the years, our investment in apprenticeships has allowed us to build fully developed in-house installation teams. Where we once relied heavily on subcontractors, we now have electricians, plumbers, roofers, installers and heat pump specialists trained within our own team. This strengthens quality, increases capacity, and ensures we can deliver renewable energy projects reliably across Scotland.
Put simply, apprenticeships are helping us power more than homes and businesses. They are helping to power Scotland’s transition to net zero. We are delighted to have this effort acknowledged and be named a Scottish Apprenticeship Awards Finalist 2026.
Solar Spotlight: Kiera Wright
Few stories capture the purpose of apprenticeships quite like that of 23 year-old Kiera, finalist for Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year. Growing up in Buckie, Kiera believed pursuing her dream job in engineering without leaving her hometown was unattainable. That all changed when a Graduate Apprenticeship opportunity came up with aes renewables in 2021.
Four years on, Kiera has become a valued part of our in-house design team. Her technical skills, particularly in grid compliance and the G99 process, have made her the trusted point of contact with distribution network operators across Scotland. She heads up our maintenance team offering technical support, creates detailed PV designs, and plays a crucial role in safely connecting renewable systems to the grid.
Alongside her professional achievements, Kiera has excelled academically, recently graduating with a first class honours degree in Engineering: Instrumentation, Measurement and Control at Robert Gordon University.
Breaking Barriers in STEM
However, what truly sets Kiera apart is her passion for inspiring others. As our STEM Champion, Kiera regularly leads outreach with local schools and colleges, encouraging and mentoring young people, particularly girls, to explore careers in engineering and renewable energy. This summer, she also mentored a local sixth-year student on work experience, offering invaluable hands-on experience and insights.
Through her apprenticeship, Kiera has developed into a confident, skilled, and ambitious engineer. Her journey highlights not only the strength of graduate apprenticeship schemes but also the value of nurturing local talent to meet Net Zero targets.
This is not the first time Kiera’s dedication has been recognised. In December 2025, she won Graduate Apprentice of the Year at the Highlands and Islands Apprenticeship Awards. Securing national recognition would be a truly special way to round off her already outstanding apprenticeship journey.
We are incredibly proud to support her continued growth as she steps into her new role as Graduate Design Engineer and takes on leadership of our newly formed Servicing Department.
Looking Ahead
Following our rebrand at the end of 2025, our commitment to people and sustainability remains unchanged. Apprenticeships will continue to be central to our strategy, across our technical trades and professional services alike.
Being a Scottish Apprenticeship Awards Finalist 2026 is an incredible honour. It celebrates the hard work of our apprentices, mentors and leadership team. It also reinforces our belief that investing in people is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate Scotland’s net zero transition.
Whatever the outcome, we’re honoured to be recognised alongside so many inspiring organisations and individuals who share our belief in the power of apprenticeships.
