A new initiative will tackle the critical skills shortage in Highlands and Islands as it anticipates a boom in jobs from the green economy.
Highlands and Islands Skills, which will be branded Hi-skills, will be set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC).
The multi-million-pound investment will remove long-standing barriers to apprenticeships, placing nearly 300 apprentices immediately and unlocking the opportunity for 300 additional apprentice starts annually.
It will support the delivery of more than 250 planned infrastructure projects between 2025 and 2040 valued at over £100bn.
These projects were identified in a report by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) earlier this year and underpin the region’s transition to the green economy.
Significant developments are planned in pumped storage hydro, wind power and green hydrogen, and the opportunities presented by the Cromarty Firth Green Freeport status.
It is estimated that, at its peak, the region will require 16,000 workers a year. The Highland Council has also committed to build 24,000 homes in the region, which will also require skilled workers.
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are committed to working in partnership on the initiative.
Callum Mackintosh, director of Hi-skills, said: “It makes sense to create a national Centre of Excellence for Skills, Safety and Innovation in Inverness, where we have great road, rail and air links.
“Inverness is already a hub for renewables and construction, and many high-profile infrastructure projects are due to start on our doorstep.”
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