Livingston firm John Heaney Electrical (JHE), the electrical, mechanical and HVAC specialist, has broken new ground with the appointment of Andy Guthrie as its first mechanical apprentice.

The 24-year-old has been working as a labourer at the firm and will now join the mechanical division, with the seven-strong team focused on industrial equipment repairs, pump and gearbox overhauls, fabrication and pipework.

"Andy is someone we believe has great potential and is fully committed to the task ahead," said Euan Fisher, JHE's mechanical engineering manager.

"I have been here for 21 years and Andy is our first mechanical apprentice. It's a notable addition to our team, he deserves the opportunity and I'm looking forward to seeing his progress.

"He is beginning an exciting new chapter in his career and we're proud to support his development as he gains the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to succeed.

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"We look forward to watching him grow and achieve his full potential as part of the JHE family."

While hands-on at the Livingston base, Andy will also undertake an HNC course at Fife College on a day-release basis.

Glenrothes-based Andrew becomes the latest apprentice on JHE's books, with David Wilson (17) and Lee Jack (20) having been brought into the electrical side of the business in recent weeks. Aidan Heaney became JHE's first employee to do a building services apprenticeship when joining the Facilities Management division earlier this year, in the process becoming the third generation of the family to join the business.

Andrew said: "I am very grateful for this opportunity. It is an area of the industry I am really interested in and I can't wait to get started.

"There are so many people here who have been with JHE for years having first joined as a young person and that speaks volumes for the kind of company it is."

Managing Director Mark Heaney said JHE will continue to strive to help develop the next generation of industry talent.

"We are committed to investing in people," he said. "It has always been our ethos, since the earliest days of JHE, to encourage young talent into the business.

"We have a strong belief in the Apprenticeship Scheme, and we pride ourselves on developing the future of our industry."