German apprentice visits Moray for work link
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A GERMAN apprentice has arrived in Moray to work with a local firm in what is likely to be the last trip of its kind.
This morning, Pascal Sawkins (17) entered the workshop of Elgin-based electrical contractors Campbell and McHardy for the start of a three-week placement.
The exchange has been backed by the EU Erasmus initiative, which covers Pascal's insurances while he is here. But with Brexit looming, this looks likely to be the last year of the unique partnership.
Pascal, who will turn 18 during his stay, said: "I hope to get so much experience from the Scottish electricians because in Germany it is very different.
"We have different equipment and the homes are different, we have mostly concrete houses and here in Scotland it is mostly timber frame. I have never seen this before so it will be an interesting and valuable experience.
"It is an honour to be here and when I was offered the chance to come it was a very quick decision."
Paul McHardy said the team at Campbell and McHardy was delighted to welcome Pascal, who will be taken on a variety of commercial and industrial jobs over the coming weeks.
It is the second time Mr McHardy has welcomed an apprentice from the Heinsberg firm Elektro Schroeder after being approached by Elgin publican George McPhee.
Mr McPhee met Johannes Schroeder, the owner of Elektro Schroeder, while they were holidaying with their families in Lanzarote and struck up a friendship.
That led to the idea of an apprentice exchange and Mr Schroeder sought out funding, while Mr McPhee approached Campbell and McHardy to ask if they would take part.
Mr Shroeder, who drove Pascal to Scotland from the North Rhine-Westphalia region, likened the link to those of olden days, when journeymen travelled across Europe to work – learning from others and sharing their skills.
"This is a great opportunity for him," he said.
Pascal was expecting to make the visit this summer, but the January 31 date for Britain’s exit from the EU meant it was a race against time.
Mr McPhee said: "Politicians are telling us that we are nearing Brexit on January 31 and nothing is going to change over the next year, but already come midnight on January 31 things are going to change.
"This EU funding will cease. How many other things are going to be like that?"
Pascal is a voluntary firefighter – following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him – and will visit Elgin fire station during his stay, where local crews have offered to show him around.
