Midlothian Council Electrician Shortlisted for Inspirational Colleague of the Year

Midlothian Council electrician Kieran Docherty, 28, has been shortlisted for the Inspirational Colleague of the Year Award at the 2026 Aico Community Awards, which celebrate outstanding people and projects in the social housing sector across the UK.

Dedication to helping others

Kieran, who joined the council straight from school as an apprentice, was nominated by his Team Leader Michael Kyle for his exceptional commitment to tenants, his calm actions in emergencies, and his dedication to helping others learn and succeed.

Proud to help his community

Now a highly skilled electrician and a mentor to new apprentices, Kieran plays a key role in installing environmental sensors and ensuring more than 7,000 council homes across Midlothian are safe and well maintained. A young dad and long‑time Midlothian resident, he takes great pride in helping his community.

Medical emergencies

But it is his compassion and quick thinking in two separate medical emergencies that truly set him apart.

Quick thinking

Around a year ago, while attending a late‑evening callout for a power fault, Kieran noticed the tenant he had been helping suddenly became unresponsive. Although shocked, he stayed calm and immediately called 999. With guidance from the call handler, he checked the woman’s breathing, monitored her condition, and spoke reassuringly to her until the ambulance arrived. He also contacted her family to make sure she was recovering well. Her son personally thanked Kieran and shared the story on social media saying without Kieran’s help, “it could have been much worse”.

Remained calm

In an earlier incident, Kieran was working in a family home when a teenage boy suffered a seizure. Kieran stepped in to help the boy’s mother, placing the teen in the recovery position, making sure he was not choking, clearing the area to keep him safe, and phoning an ambulance.

Daunting

Kieran, who lives with his wife Lauren and their one-year-old daughter Millie, says his apprenticeship first‑aid training prepared him, but the situations were still frightening. “You do sit in the van afterwards to catch your breath,” he said.

27 apprentices

Over the last decade, the council’s Building Maintenance Service has supported 27 apprentices, with all completing their training and 24, including Kieran, still working for the council.

Honoured

Kieran says he was “shocked and honoured” to be put forward for the award by Michael.

Very proud

Michael said: “We’re incredibly proud of all our electrical staff who, like Kieran, take real pride in their work and always put tenants at the heart of what they do. Kieran is especially deserving of this recognition. His actions went far beyond his duties, providing calm, decisive and potentially lifesaving support when it was needed most.”

The Aico Community Awards will take place on 16 April 2026 in Birmingham.

In the picture

Kieran is pictured on the right with his Team Leader Michael Kyle, who nominated him for the award.