The inaugural Highland-wide virtual jobs fair has been hailed a resounding success by organisers, employers, and attendees alike.
Held over a week last month, the event was perfectly timed to coincide with Scottish Careers Week 2024, showcasing opportunities for job seekers across the Highlands.
The collaborative effort involved the Local Employability Partnership for the West, Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Department for Work and Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce, and UHI North West and Hebrides.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, praised everyone involved.
“We’re grateful to all participants and businesses who took part, with special thanks to the Developing the Young Workforce team for their work with employers,” he said.
He added that the flexible online format had been a standout feature, making it easy for people to join from home.
The event highlighted opportunities for upskilling, apprenticeships, and seasonal or year-round roles.
Over 200 people signed up in advance, leading to 246 attendances throughout the week, with many participants attending multiple sessions.
Seventeen employers participated, including Torbhaig Distillery, Dounreay, NHS Highland, and BEAR Scotland, offering a broad range of job opportunities.
Each session delivered valuable insights into career paths and available roles, leaving attendees and organisers keen for more.
Building on the success, plans are already underway for another virtual jobs fair in March 2025.
Employers and job seekers interested in taking part can stay updated via the Work.Life.Highland website or contact the employability team at employability@highland.gov.uk.
