The Highlands and Islands is fast becoming one of the most exciting places in the UK to live and work.
Major investment in the region is expected to create up to 16,000 new jobs per year, with opportunities across a wide range of sectors.
Over the next 10 to 15 years, the Highlands and Islands is set to benefit from more than £100 billion of investment, transforming local communities and economies through renewable energy generation and transmission.
To help maximise these opportunities, Workforce North has been launched with a mission to unlock the full potential of the Highlands and Islands.
Workforce North is a partnership between the public and private sectors, connecting people and employers with the jobs and opportunities emerging from the investment and creating clear pathways into employment, apprenticeships and training.
Partners include Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, University of the Highlands and Islands, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, HI-REP, Department for Work & Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce, Highland Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Orkney Islands Council, Moray Council, North Ayrshire Council, Shetland Islands Council, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Workforce North aims to help people build lasting careers in the region, support employers to access the talent they need, and enable partners and policymakers to take a coordinated approach to long-term economic growth.
By supporting and investing in talent development, attraction and retention, Workforce North aims to grow the working-age population and ensure communities and businesses can benefit from the opportunities ahead.
This significant investment is expected to drive growth across a number of key industries, including renewables and low-carbon technologies, engineering, construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
As a result, a wide range of roles will be available, from entry-level positions and apprenticeships to highly skilled technical and professional careers.
Alongside these new opportunities, there will also be a demand for replacement and top-up roles across many established sectors.
Industries such as tourism and hospitality, healthcare and transport will continue to offer accessible and rewarding employment opportunities, particularly for young people taking their first steps into the world of work.
To support young people as they consider their future careers, Workforce North has recently launched a school magazine within the Highland Council region, designed to help pupils explore their options after leaving school.
The magazine provides insight into a variety of industries and career pathways across the Highlands and Islands, helping young people understand the opportunities available close to home.
Former Charleston Academy pupil Cosima, Kramer-Lomax who always knew she wanted a practical, hands-on career.
During her apprenticeship with RI Cruden, she has worked on a diverse range of projects, from the redevelopment of Inverness Castle to domestic heating installations.
Keen to broaden her skills, she has also volunteered alongside RI Cruden electricians, installing solar panels to gain valuable experience in renewable technologies.
Cosima said:
“I do something different every day in my apprenticeship.
“It’s never the same installation or the same job.”
Callum Cruden, Director of RI Cruden, highlighted the importance of developing local talent, saying:
“With development and investment growing across the North, the demand for a highly skilled, dedicated local workforce has never been more critical.”
Another inspiring example is Kiera Wright, a Solar Panel Designer who is helping to power Scotland’s journey to net zero by delivering complex renewable energy projects, accelerating carbon savings, and inspiring future engineers.
Kiera chose an apprenticeship route into engineering, beginning her career through a Graduate Apprenticeship at renewables company AES Renewables, where she became the firm’s first female engineer.
Starting in a technical admin role, Kiera upskilled through her apprenticeship and progressed to designing solar PV systems for homes, businesses, and landmark sites including Edinburgh Castle.
Her achievements were recognised when she won the Supporting Net Zero Apprentice of the Year award at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards 2026.
Passionate about encouraging more girls to pursue careers in engineering, Kiera is a strong advocate for apprenticeships as a route into the industry.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Kiera said:
“I liked the idea of learning on the job and earning at the same time.”
As the Highlands and Islands enter a period of substantial economic growth, stories like Cosima’s and Kiera’s demonstrate the exciting opportunities available to young people across the region.
Whether through apprenticeships, further study or direct entry into employment, there are more pathways than ever into rewarding careers.
