With the title “Head of Wind Construction”, David Finnon should be a man of immense talent. He’d at the very least be entitled to a cameo in a Monty Python sketch.
Maybe he does indeed have a factory that creates all the hot air used at Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Perhaps he builds warm siroccos to blow over Europe – then again, it might be the wild storms that are shaping our Scottish autumn.
With this in mind, we are wearing a sou’wester and mac when we pop along to meet the man himself in the Edinburgh offices of Infinis Energy.
We needn’t have bothered. It turns out David’s a ray of sunshine and his talents for Infinis are actually in the wind energy sector: turbines and the like.
Renewable Energy is a burgeoning jobs market in Scotland and one that promises to provide many opportunities for workers in search of fresh careers.
These careers extend beyond wind farms: a carbon-free future also needs the efforts of construction workers in building sites, factories and offices.
This means the nation can also do with the skills of Project Managers and Construction Engineers (Civil, Mechanical, Systems and Electrical).
So back to David, the man whose enthusiasm for his work is as bright and breezy as his job title suggests.
We asked him to tell us a little about himself and wind construction.
Is it possible to describe a typical working day?
I don’t think I have a typical working day . . . other than I know at some point I have to address the 200-plus emails that have landed in my inbox.
I know it’s a cliché to say every day is different but it generally is.
For example, this week I will be on site in the Highlands, meeting a local authority in the north of England then meeting with banks and their advisors in London.
How blows the wind in the Construction industry?
I think we are still in very challenging times. My personal view, however, is that times like these bring opportunity: first to change our old ways and clear out our dead wood and second to be innovative.
After all, being innovative is what we Scots are good at and have excelled at in construction projects throughout the world.
What are the main challenges?
These must be the long-term prospects and career planning for both graduates and people entering our profession direct from school.
Too many times I have heard of great talent being gathered up by other industries.
As a Construction and Project Management profession we lose out on some great people to other sectors.
I’d say this to anyone coming to s1jobs for a new role in Construction: “Our industry is so diverse that there are many different aspects to it. Try to explore them all: there will be a perfect fit for you somewhere!”
If you’re already on the career ladder, is it easy to move up the rungs?
It can be . . . but in the construction industry there are loads of ladders to the top so don’t be afraid to change the one you are on, if it’s not working out for you.
Don’t be afraid to question those things you don’t understand or challenge those you see as being wrong.
In other words, don’t fall into the trap of thinking: “Ah well, that’s just the way it’s always been done!”
Diversify and pick up qualifications on the job as you go and you’ll soon be climbing the ladder into new roles.
Finally, what’s the forecast?
In the wind energy sector of construction there is a massive change under way, due to the UK Government introducing changes to subsidies and pricing.
The good news is that we are a strong and resilient bunch.
And, of course, most of the successful construction managers and technicians, such as Construction Project Managers, Construction Engineers – Mechanical, Civil and Electrical, but which has expanded to include Systems Engineers – have little problem in finding jobs in other Construction sectors and Renewable sectors.
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