Skye channels her passion for sustainability into a Modern Apprenticeship
Dedicated Skye McInally’s passion for renewable energy and supporting net zero was sparked when she worked in a sustainable shop while still at school.
Keen to gain hands-on experience and achieve financial independence the 20 year old applied for a Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance (Multi-skilled) with energy company SSE plc at 16 – instead of going to university.
Skye said: “The Modern Apprenticeship was a better pathway for me than going to university because you are doing the job already, so you get that hands-on experience and you’re not getting into debt while studying.
“I love the fact that no two days are the same and my team are really supportive - that’s what makes it such a great environment to be in. There are lots of exciting opportunities in engineering and I think its important to encourage more girls to consider a career in it.”
Skye’s current role focuses on maintenance at Loch Sloy Hydro-Electric Power Scheme at the top of Loch Lomond. By supporting the monitoring and maintenance of the turbines there and rapidly responding to outages, she is directly supporting the transition to cleaner forms of energy.
She has also been involved in ongoing projects focused on improving machine efficiency and power output, essential to achieving our net zero goals.
Skye was a finalist in the ‘Power Industry Apprentice of the Year’ category at this year’s Energy & Utility Skills Conference and Awards and has actively contributed to wider initiatives within SSE to promote sustainability and recruit new talent – including events at Scottish Apprenticeship Week aimed at inspiring young people, especially women, to pursue careers in engineering and renewables.
Skye is now a finalist in the Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year category of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
Skye, of Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, said: “Being able to be financially independent at a young age and earn while I learn throughout the Modern Apprenticeship role was really important to me.
“Reducing the amount of waste we produce is vital, and working on renewable energy schemes is a great way to help achieve this.”
Skye heard about Modern Apprenticeships through her careers adviser at Vale of Leven Academy, Erin Bartley.
Erin said: “From second year, Skye had a goal to do an apprenticeship in engineering and came to speak to me about how to achieve that goal. We looked at different apprenticeship options and looked into engineering in more depth, to see what type she was interested in. Skye went through all this through lockdown but was always really focused about her future.”
Skye spent the first 18 months of her apprenticeship at Fife College and feels that made the transition to the workplace easier.
Modern Apprenticeships and apprentices are made for business, developed with employers to provide skills in demand. They are jobs open to anyone aged 16 and over who wants to work, learn and earn.
Modern Apprentices spend most of their time learning in the workplace while being supported by a learning provider, like a college, to gain an industry recognised qualification.
Marta Rys-Paslawska, SSE Renewables Hydro Pipelines Programme Manager said: “Skye has done brilliantly – she achieved very high scores on all her assessments at college and quickly became a very valued member of her team at SSE.
“Apprenticeships are an amazing opportunity for us to attract and develop young talent, to teach them our beliefs, values and ways of working as well as having the benefits of the fresh perspectives they bring to our business.”
Iain Hawker, Assistant Principal: Enterprise & Partnerships at Fife College, said: “Skye has demonstrated remarkable growth and development through her apprenticeship.
“Her dedication to continuous learning and advancement highlight her potential as a future leader in the sector.”
The winner of the Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year category will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which takes place 27 February in the run up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 to 7 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot.