Orkney could need 2,500 people to fill job openings between 2028 and 2035 as employers and public bodies work together on plans to meet the islands’ future workforce needs.
Around 60 delegates gathered at UHI Orkney in Kirkwall for the Orkney Workforce Summit 2026, bringing together employers, educators, public sector organisations and community representatives.
Forecasts presented at the summit suggest around 1,300 people will be required to fill job openings across Orkney between 2025 and 2028.
That requirement is forecast to rise to 2,500 between 2028 and 2035 as the islands contend with demographic change, an ageing population and the need to replace people leaving the workforce.
The summit forms part of Workforce North, a regional partnership established to help the Highlands and Islands prepare for future workforce demands linked to more than £100 billion of potential investment opportunities over the next decade.
Coordinated by Skills Development Scotland, the initiative brings together employers, local authorities, education providers, economic development organisations and other public sector partners.
Discussions in Kirkwall concentrated on school and community engagement, expanding apprenticeships, developing existing workers’ skills, attracting and retaining talent, and increasing awareness of career opportunities across Orkney.
Delegates considered what is already working and where organisations could achieve more by working together.
Claire Sim, Regional Skills Planning Lead at SDS, said:
“No single organisation can solve workforce challenges alone.
“The summit has provided an opportunity for partners to share insights, learn from each other and begin shaping a roadmap that reflects Orkney’s specific needs and ambitions.
“Orkney has many strengths, including strong partnership working, engaged employers and high levels of participation among young people.
“By building on those strengths and working together, we can help ensure local people and businesses benefit from future investment and growth opportunities.”
Orkney Builders Managing Director Stephen Kemp was among the employers taking part and joined a panel during the event.
Stephen said:
“The future of Orkney’s economy depends on the availability of learning, training and employment opportunities across a whole range of sectors.
“A great deal of good work is already being done in this respect, but we need to develop that infrastructure further so we are more able to attract, retain and develop the people and skills we need to capitalise on the opportunities that exist across Orkney.”
Delegates were also shown examples of work already taking place to develop local talent, strengthen relationships between education and industry and create routes into sectors where workers will be needed.
Attention will now turn to developing an Orkney workforce roadmap based on the priorities and practical actions identified during the summit.
The aim will be to give employers and partner organisations a coordinated plan for tackling the workforce challenge while ensuring people living in Orkney can benefit from the investment and opportunities expected across the islands in the years ahead.
