A Highland renewables firm is celebrating a double success after two of its apprentices were recognised at the 2025 Highlands and Islands Apprenticeship Awards in Inverness.
AES Solar saw both of its finalists take home top honours, underlining the company’s long term commitment to developing skilled careers across Moray and the wider Highlands.
Kiera Wright, from Buckie, was named Graduate Apprentice of the Year, while Dylan Strachan, from Nairn, won Energy and Utilities Apprentice of the Year.
The awards recognise outstanding achievement, progression and impact within apprenticeship pathways across the region.
Kiera Wright is now working as a Graduate Design Engineer with AES Solar, where she plays a central role in system design and grid compliance for renewable energy projects.
Alongside her technical work, she also leads STEM outreach with local schools, helping to encourage young people to consider careers in engineering and renewables.
Matthew Milne, Head of Project Delivery at AES Solar, said:
“Kiera has become a confident, highly capable engineer whose positivity lifts the whole team.
“She leads by example and shows what can be achieved when talent is properly supported.”
Dylan Strachan has progressed from the company’s workshop into a third year plumbing apprenticeship, working on the installation and servicing of heat pumps and solar thermal systems across Scotland.
His role places him on the frontline of the transition to low carbon heating, supporting households and businesses as they move away from fossil fuels.
Stuart Engelmann, Head of Operations at AES Solar, said:
“Dylan’s growth has been exceptional.
“He brings maturity, enthusiasm and professionalism to every job, and we’re incredibly proud of the tradesperson he’s becoming.”
AES Solar is based in Forres, with an additional site in Dingwall, and works closely with communities throughout the Highlands and Islands.
Since 2015, the company has supported 18 apprentices, with more than 20 percent of its current workforce having started their careers through apprenticeship routes.
The firm says the double win reflects not just individual achievement but a wider investment in people as part of the region’s renewable future.
AES Solar has been operating for more than four decades and has expanded its expertise beyond solar to include heat pumps, electric vehicle charging and battery storage.
The company says apprenticeships remain central to its growth strategy, ensuring local skills are developed alongside the rapid expansion of renewable energy across the Highlands.
For AES Solar, the recognition at this year’s awards highlights the value of creating clear, supported pathways into skilled work within rural and island communities.
The company says it plans to continue investing in apprenticeships as it prepares for its next phase of growth, with a refreshed brand identity due to be introduced early next year.
