A new drive to increase apprenticeships and support people into jobs took to the road across the Highlands last month.
Employers, jobseekers and residents in Golspie and Tain could explore apprenticeships, skills development and career pathways as Workforce North partners brought support aboard DWP’s Employability Van.
The initiative aimed to connect local people and employers with advice, support and opportunities to help build the workforce of the future by bringing services directly into communities.
The roadshow comes as the Workforce North partnership works to support 500 new apprenticeship starts across the Highlands and Islands.
Anthony Standing from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) said:
“Employers have a vital role to play in achieving this goal, with apprenticeships offering a practical way to recruit new talent, upskill existing employees and develop the skills businesses need to grow and thrive.
“By considering apprenticeships when recruiting or investing in staff development, employers can help build a stronger pipeline of local talent while creating valuable opportunities for people to develop their skills and careers close to home.
“However, accessing the right advice and support can be challenging for businesses and individuals in rural areas, where distance, travel costs and the geography of the Highlands can create barriers to engagement.”
The WFN500 initiative was developed to help address these challenges, bringing partners together in local communities to make it easier for people to find out what support is available and take their next steps.
Using the DWP E-Van as a mobile advice hub, the roadshow brought together organisations working across employment, skills, careers, apprenticeships and workforce development.
Employers learned how apprenticeships could benefit their business, including opportunities to recruit new talent, develop existing staff and access relevant advice and support.
For those considering their next career move, WFN500 was also an opportunity to explore apprenticeships, skills development, careers advice and other pathways into employment.
Collaboration is central to the initiative, with Workforce North, Skills Development Scotland, the Department for Work and Pensions, The Highland Council and other local partners working together to create a more joined-up experience.
Cllr Ken Gowans, Economy and Infrastructure Committee Chair at The Highland Council, said:
“Bringing organisations together in one place means employers and individuals can start conversations, access information and identify potential next steps without having to navigate different services separately.
“These visits helped to demonstrate how integrated outreach can improve access to support in rural and remote communities, with the potential to inform similar initiatives in the future.
“Ultimately, the focus was on making opportunity more accessible: helping employers invest in people, supporting individuals to develop their skills and ensuring local communities are better connected to the jobs and careers emerging across the region.”
Emma Hendry, Senior Operations Leader for DWP’s North Scotland District, said:
“The roadshow reflected Workforce North’s wider ambition to connect people, employers and partners with opportunities emerging from significant investment across the Highlands and Islands.
“By strengthening links between local talent and employers, the partnership aims to help communities benefit from future growth while supporting businesses to develop the workforce they need.”
Funding to support workforce growth
Looking to recruit, retain or develop your workforce?
The Workforce North Co-Investment Fund is a new pilot fund that supports employer-led activity to help businesses recruit, retain and develop the people they need.
The Fund supports activity linked to skills development, apprenticeships, workforce pipelines and new approaches to shared workforce challenges.
Join a free 30-minute employer webinar to learn more about the Fund, the funding opportunities available, examples of activity that could be supported and how to access support.
The session will also help employers prepare for the next application window, expected to open on 30 November 2026.
Choose from two sessions:
● Tuesday 10 November, 1pm–1.30pm
● Thursday 26 November, 12pm–12.30pm
Visit the Workforce North Events page to book your place: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/wfnevents
