Regional economy in spotlight amid plans for investment
A multi-billion pound investment in the Highlands and Islands is the subject of a summit bringing together key players in the region’s economy.
The Highlands and Islands Workforce Summit is being held to examine how the region can build a resilient and skilled workforce capable of capitalising on a range of investment opportunities across a number of key and growth sectors.
Hosted by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) alongside partners including Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), the summit will explore co-investment strategies for upskilling and retraining, attracting talent, bridging skills gaps, and strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Frank Mitchell, Chair of SDS, said: "The Highlands and Islands is on the cusp of a transformative opportunity due to record levels of industry investment in the next decade.
“However, to ensure this investment delivers lasting benefit for our communities and businesses, we need to significantly increase the availability of workers with the right skills in the region.
“This summit is bringing businesses together to agree actions to grow the workforce that will enhance the short and long-term prosperity, productivity and wellbeing of the region.”
Research from HIE and the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership is currently being finalised for publication in the coming weeks. Preliminary findings suggest that investment in sectors including offshore renewables, port infrastructure, pumped hydro storage and transmission upgrades could be worth tens of billions of pounds over the next 10 to 15 years.
To ensure this investment delivers lasting benefit for our communities and businesses, we need to significantly increase the availability of workers with the right skills in the region.
Frank Mitchell
Chair, Skills Development Scotland
More than 60 key figures from across the region will attend the summit and hear from speakers including Allie Walker, Director of HR at SSEN Transmission.
She said: “We’re investing £20billion to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland by 2030 to deliver an electricity grid that unlocks Scotland’s potential to be a clean energy powerhouse.
“A key element of that programme of work is investing in our people, ensuring we have the right skills within our teams to deliver an ambitious and transformative project for Scotland.
“This summit is a welcome opportunity to work with others in making sure the region and its people benefit from this in the years to come.”
The summit will examine how co-investment could help address challenges facing the regional economy by attracting new people to the region and upskilling the existing workforce.
Martin Johnson, director of strategy and regional economy with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) said: “Scotland‘s economy stands to benefit massively from an unprecedented wave of opportunity that is centred on new developments across the Highlands and Islands.
“Over the coming years, it will be more important than ever that government, public bodies and private investors work together effectively to maximise the region’s potential.
“By taking a collaborative approach, we aim to ensure positive impacts are delivered for all parts of the Highlands and Islands, and workforce skills will be vital to underpin success.”
Over the coming years, it will be more important than ever that government, public bodies and private investors work together effectively to maximise the region’s potential.
Martin Johnson
Director of strategy and regional economy with Highlands and Islands Enterprise
He added: "Highland Council is committed to building a workforce where everyone can make the most of their talents and has the opportunity to continue learning throughout their working lives.
"It is by doing this, alongside our partners, that we will be best-placed to capitalise on the investment expected across the region in the coming years. Today's summit is a welcome step in that journey."
Vicki Nairn, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at UHI said: “The Highlands and Islands is leading the way in Scotland’s transition to a net-zero economy, with unprecedented investment in renewable energy and a commitment to sustainable development from both the private and public sectors.
“As a tertiary institution offering both further and higher education, UHI is uniquely positioned to address workforce development needs in the region. Investing in skills and workforce development is not just about economic growth; it's about empowering communities to thrive and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
“The summit is a welcome opportunity to further strengthen relationships with employers and partners that will continue to benefit the current and future workforce.”
Partners involved in delivering the summit will be presenting proposals at the Spring 2025 meeting of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands.