Sector Spotlight: Sandy Linklater, Agricultural Engineer

In this edition of our Sector Spotlight on Engineering, we hear from Sandy Linklater of Linklater Engineering. LE are a local agricultural engineering company based in Stenness, who stock and maintain Massey Ferguson farming machinery.

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--Can you describe a typical day in your role as Engineer/Parts Person?
Supervising engineers in workshop and ensuring they are supplied with the correct parts and advice.
 
--How did you end up in this role?
After school I worked on a farm for a year before going to college. After college I did an apprenticeship at a Massey Ferguson dealer south. I was then a technician and lecturer in an agricultural college before coming back to Orkney to start my own business.
 
--What is the best thing about your job?
Job satisfaction in maintaining and repairing machinery, helping farmers to carry out their important job of providing food for us all.
 
--What is the worst thing about your job?
Paperwork or when things don’t go according to plan.
 
--What skills do you need to undertake your role?
Communication skills, diagnosis skills, working as a team, sharing of knowledge
 
--What qualifications do you have?
Four O levels, two Highers, City & Guilds 030 Technician, Parts 1,2,3 courses.
 
--Would you recommend this job to young people, if so why?
Yes – very rewarding, huge variety of work and therefore skills building, good career prospects. A good engineer is highly sought after.

Visit Linklater Engineering on:
 
Website:  https://www.linklaterengineering.co.uk/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/linklaterEngineeringLtd/