Jake Menday – #TeamRenewables

As RES’ Asset Management team continues to grow, we now have the ability to onboard early careers employees to join and support the established team. The Graduate Apprenticeship programme has been hugely successful for both RES and Jake, a Civil Operations Engineer, who joined RES in 2019 as a Graduate Civil Engineer Apprentice, whilst studying for a bachelor’s degree.

Previously employed by the Royal Navy as an Aircraft Engineer, Jake has always aspired to work in the renewable energy industry. He currently works with our Support Services teams to advise and assist with civil engineering practices across our onshore wind portfolio.

RES is now supporting Jake through his master’s degree as he progresses towards becoming a Chartered Engineer. Jake is hopefully the first of many Graduate Apprentices in the Asset Management Team.

Read more about his story in the latest #teamrenewables:

Career journey

​​​​​​​I joined RES in August 2019 as a Civil Engineering Graduate Apprentice, but before that, I was in the Royal Navy as an Aircraft Engineer. I enjoyed my time in the Navy, however I aspired to study at university with the goal of working within the renewable energy sector. Fortunately my role at RES enabled me to do both at the same time and I am now studying online part-time for a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.  

A day in the life

My role at RES offers a good mixture of being on-site and in the office. I enjoy the challenge of no two weeks being the same; I can find myself from one-week on-site managing contractors during a major component exchange on a turbine, to supporting the construction of new civil infrastructure, crane hardstandings or new access tracks.

Why did you want to work in renewables?

It’s the future; it is an industry which appealed to me as it allowed for the flexibility to explore new ideas and the potential to unlock new technologies. Individual Social Responsibility was also a key driver to joining the industry, especially considering my previous experience. I now feel that I am part of an organisation striving to do good in the world.

Job Highlights

My final submission to University was an applied research project on the design and construction of crane hardstandings, using an operational wind farm as a case study. The project required the upgrade of five crane hardstandings, with the involvement of multiple contractors and stakeholders and required a culmination of theoretical knowledge, project management skills, commercial awareness and academic writing I had learned in the previous three years.

What have you enjoyed most about the Graduate Apprenticeship programme?

Learning the theoretical side of Civil Engineering at University and having the opportunity to apply my newly found knowledge in the workplace was incredibly rewarding. I hope the Graduate Apprenticeship is a route to obtaining a degree that will be continued to support and invest in. It has been a fantastic opportunity and displays RES’ commitment to investing in its people.

What is next for you?

Becoming a Chartered Engineer is one of my objectives in the future. But, for now, I look forward to developing further in my current role and working with our teams across Support Services. RES continues to invest in my career development and is funding me through a part-time online master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.

Being part of #TeamRenewables

Jake says:

“The Graduate apprenticeship has been a fantastic opportunity and displays RES’ commitment to investing in its people. Everyone I’ve worked with at RES has been supportive and provided guidance and mentoring throughout my studies.

“Engaging with professional Civil Engineers daily allowed me to learn from them and grow into the role of a more confident and competent Engineer.” 

Caption: Jake trekking in Nepal