History

Managing Director of GEMS Engineering Limited, Jim Hendry started his apprenticeship on a youth opportunity programme before moving abroad to work as a mechanical engineer in Australia.

When he returned to Scotland he found there were few jobs in engineering and turned to a career in sales. After managing to generate sales for another engineering company, Jim decided that he could provide a better service and decided to start up his own engineering business. Jim initially subcontracted the work before gaining enough capital to set up his own premises. He then reinvested all his profits to buy machinery and get good people on board. The company now has a machine shop and a fabrication shop and employs a variety of skilled operators and a full time driver as well as office staff.

Jim has worked hard and has now built up a good client base and is happy to visit customers personally to look at or discuss any requirements.

In 2010 GEMS Engineering Limited embarked on a training programme and received some funding from the Skills Development Scotland’s Flexible Training Opportunities programme. Our company was one of the first to be involved in the scheme and the then Education Minister for the Scottish Parliament, Keith Brown visited our premises to promote the training scheme.

In 2011 it was decided to take on two apprentices, a move which can help offer a route to harness fresh new talent. Apprenticeships ensure that our workforce has the practical skills and qualifications our organisation needs now and in the future. The mixture of on and off job learning ensures the apprentices learn the skills that work best for our business.