17th December 2024
Trudy Morris, CEO, Caithness Chamber of Commerce: Find the Perfect Fit for your Firm.
As the year draws to a close, with Christmas fast approaching and the holidays in sight, it’s incredible to see the 2025 calendar already filling up fast. We’re delighted to kick off the new year with Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them—the county’s premier jobs, training, and recruitment event. Mark your calendars for Saturday, 8th February 2025, when this exciting event returns to UHI ETEC, Thurso.
People truly are a business’s greatest asset, and attracting top talent is crucial to building a resilient and dynamic workforce. This event provides a fantastic platform for employers to connect with potential candidates and highlight the breadth of opportunities available in our region. It also offers attendees valuable insights into the skills and qualifications businesses need now and in the future. Open to all, the event is ideal for school leavers, career changers, those returning to work, or anyone seeking inspiration to find their dream job.
As the hosts of DYW North Highland, Caithness Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping young people realise their full potential. The saying “You can’t be what you can’t see” highlights the importance of role models in expanding horizons and inspiring the next generation. Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them is the perfect platform for this, helping young people and job seekers connect with the opportunities that shape their futures.
Our region is on the brink of transformative opportunities, and we are entering an exciting new era of employment generation. Expanding the local pool of skilled workers remains a top priority for the Chamber and our partners at Focus North. One way we’re driving this forward is through the Caithness Business Fund apprenticeship grant scheme and the FutureSkills initiative – which launched in February with thanks to significant support from NRS Dounreay, the NDA, and the West of Orkney Windfarm. Since January 2024, the Fund has helped 11 local businesses create 12 new apprenticeship opportunities—an outstanding achievement that highlights the commitment of local employers to invest in their people and the region’s future.
Apprenticeships play a vital role in creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, equipping them with lifelong skills and supporting their career growth. Every apprenticeship opportunity available in the North Highlands represents a tangible and meaningful pathway for a young person to live, learn, and work in our region and stay part of their own community.
If your business is considering hiring an apprentice or looking to grow and invest in your workforce, the Chamber is here to help. Reach out to our team to explore how we can support your goals.
We wish all our members and the wider business community a blessed Christmas and look forward to welcoming everyone to Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them in the new year!
Ryan Pollard, Managing Director, RDI Renewables
Business Insight, Ryan Pollard, Managing Director, RDI Renewables
From utilising sustainable business practices to providing local employment opportunities, RDI Renewables is spearheading the growth of the green energy sector in North Scotland.
At RDI Renewables, we genuinely believe that innovation and teamwork are essential for creating a better future for generations to come. The UK must meet European targets to reduce our carbon footprint, and as a country, we have an international obligation to lead the way. Sustainable energy solutions and renewable technologies, such as heat pumps, play a significant role in this transition, but it requires skilled workers to bring these solutions to life.
Our business began ten years ago in Thurso with just a couple of vans and a small team. However, as the industry expanded and our business grew, we faced challenges in recruiting enough staff.
To address this issue, we decided to invest in apprentices who work alongside our more experienced employees. Our first apprentice, Ryan Simpson, has been with me for ten years and has become the strongest member of my team. We now employ 13 people, with each department comprising both seasoned professionals and capable trainees at various stages of their apprenticeships.
When we take on a young person—often fresh out of school—we train and mentor them, investing four years into their development. Ultimately, this results in a highly skilled tradesperson. Our hope is that by investing in youth and attracting established tradespeople, we will not only nurture local talent but also strengthen the community and pave the way for a brighter, greener future for the North of Scotland.
Our newest apprentice, 17-year-old Alex, is in his first year at UHI and started his apprenticeship in February. He alternates between classroom instruction and practical experience. This opportunity has allowed Alex to begin a career in the renewable energy sector and secure a meaningful, well-paying job in a community he loves.
We are incredibly grateful to the Caithness Business Fund for supporting our new apprentices through the FutureSkills initiative. This Fund provides business support and financial assistance, helping to improve access to apprenticeships for small and medium enterprises, ensuring that businesses of all sizes are equipped with the necessary skills for now and the future.
Supporting an apprenticeship represents a sustained investment in the future of our region. We have built a fantastic team at RDI Renewables, and we take enormous pride in offering these opportunities in our local area.
