The stay-at-home mum, who decided to return to work after 23 years, was taken on by Reive and Grossart, a Logistics company based in Abington.

The small family owned and operated business which was established in 1965 and prides itself on quality driven rather than volume, put training in place for Heather and she has now passed her HGV licence. A great achievement that will secure her job with the company going forward.

Heather said: “It has been a great opportunity for me. I love working with Reive and Grossart. I was delighted to get my full HGV licence. If I can do it anyone can.”

Reive and Grossart’s manager, Iain Blackstock, said: “The funding from Connect2 Renewables was a great help and allowed us to invest in training to help Heather back into the workplace.

“It really was a very simple process and we were helped right from the funding application process? A big thank you for all the support from the council. We would recommend that any company looking to employ new staff to help expand their own business gets in touch with their specialist support team.”

Danny Sneddon, the council’s Vocational Development Officer, said: “The council is always delighted to be able to assist anyone wanting to get back to work. Providing a wage subsidy to support Heather’s employment for her first year back at work made it possible for Reive and Grossart to be able to put Heather through her HGV test and get out on the road delivering for her new employers.”

The Connect2 Renewables Employability initiative is funded from some of the community benefit funds from Middlemuir Windfarm in Crawfordjohn and Kypemuir Windfarm in Strathaven.

Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager at Banks Renewables said: "To learn a new skill and make such a positive career move is a testament to Heather's determination and drive. We are very pleased that our wind farm funding was able to play a part in supporting that.

"It's very rewarding to watch the Connect 2 Renewables initiative in action, seeing first-hand how it has helped people like Heather to flourish."

The initiative has been set up to help people, who live within 10km of the windfarms, back into employment.

Councillor Lesley McDonald, the chair of the council’s Finance and Corporate Resources Committee, is delighted that the Vocational Development team was able to help Heather back into employment.

Cllr McDonald said: “I am delighted that the council team has been able to assist Heather get back into work.

“And the funding was also an ideal way to help Reive and Grossart take on a new employee. It really is a win-win situation benefiting everyone concerned.

“Being able to tap into vital funding has proved once more that a little specialist support at the right time can make all the difference to ensuring continued success for so many companies in our area.”

The employability initiative:

• gives employability support to local people
• links with employers to provide tailored solutions that allow business growth and provide employment opportunities to local people

If you think Connect2 Renewables could help you with employment opportunities or you are a local business that is willing to support the programme, please get in touch. 

To find out more and to arrange a meeting with the team please email  connect2renewables@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or Freephone 0800 9520 070.