The first graduate to come through the Fort William-based subsea training facility, The Underwater Centre, as a result of a Caithness Chamber of Commerce-led funding initiative has already secured a job in the industry.

Kevin Macleod (30), of Caithness, who was working as an instrument technician with Johnson Controls at Dounreay until recently, has been taken on as an apprentice ROV pilot technician with Fugro, one of the world’s largest ROV operators.

He completed the three week ROV Pilot Technician course at The Underwater Centre after receiving funding as part of the ‘Make the Right Connections’ project, which aims to help find jobs for those affected by the decommissioning of the Dounreay nuclear facility.

The scheme is being led by Caithness Chamber of Commerce and is jointly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS), to help assist local individuals and businesses to make the transition into new and emerging jobs and markets, boosting skills and retaining jobs in the local area.

Tags: Underwater Centre