Apprentice Anna scores a first for winch firm

FORMER Banff Academy pupil Anna Duncan has become the first female apprentice to join Turriff-based oilfield engineering company ACE Winches, a company which is regarded as one of the top contributors to Scotland’s Modern Apprentice programme.

Anna (17) is one of a record ­intake of 17 young skill seekers who will be joining the capstan, winch and lifting gear manufacturer’s 180-strong workforce at its Towie Barclay Works head­quarters this summer, taking ACE’s apprentice count up to nearly 50 and underlining company founder and chief executive Alfie Cheyne’s commitment to developing home-grown talent rather than recruiting staff from outside the area.

“I understand the importance of apprenticeships both to the business and to young people,” said Mr Cheyne.

“My own career began as a ­marine engineering apprentice.

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