This weekend’s Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them event was an uplifting reminder of the opportunity, ambition and collaboration that defines our region.
What a day! It was a pleasure to showcase our region at the Caithness Jobs event and so uplifting to see the breadth of rewarding careers in the North Highlands – both right now and on the horizon.
With a strong turnout of employers and job seekers, the atmosphere throughout the day was positive and purposeful. We received feedback from exhibitors and more than 80 members of the public – and we’re delighted to report that responses were overwhelmingly encouraging.
From school pupils considering their first career steps to adults exploring new directions, the event clearly met a real need.
Showcasing the breadth of opportunity in Caithness
What stood out most was the diversity of career pathways on offer – a powerful reflection of the strength of the North Highland economy.
Public services and emergency response were represented by Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Scotland, The Highland Council and the British Army.
Energy, engineering and construction – sectors driving significant investment across the North Highlands – featured organisations including NRS Dounreay (who also provided CV-building support on the day), SSEN, Murphy, John Gunn & Son, Blargoans, Macdonald Landscaping and Groundcare, Norscot and LionVolt.
Education, environment and community services were also well represented, with UHI North, West and Hebrides, RSPB, Flow Country Partnership, Befriending Caithness and High Life Highland engaging directly with attendees.
Meanwhile, hospitality, legal and business services added further variety, including Caithness Collection Hotels, BBM Solicitors and Gow Group.
Together, they painted a clear picture: meaningful, skilled and rewarding careers exist right here in Caithness.
Mark your bingo card!
We were glad to snag a great spot next to the entrance, giving us a great opportunity to speak with young people about their aspirations as they approach the end of school or further education. It was inspiring to hear their ambitions, and equally rewarding to direct them toward exhibitors aligned with their interests.
The interactive ‘bingo’ card proved particularly effective in encouraging engagement. Designed to build confidence and spark conversations, it challenged attendees to complete simple but purposeful tasks, such as introducing themselves to employers or gathering information from stands. Two £50 vouchers will be awarded to participants who completed the challenge – a small incentive that delivered big impact.
From inspiration to action: Live North
While events like this spark conversations, sustaining momentum is crucial. That’s where Live North plays a vital role.
Live North was established through the Focus North partnership in response to a clear need: a co-ordinated, proactive approach to attracting and retaining talent in the North Highlands. Delivered by the North Highland Chamber of Commerce, the platform connects local employers with skilled individuals both within the region and beyond. It not only brings opportunities together in one place, but also showcases what we already know to be true – that ours is an exceptional place to live.
Live North’s specialist recruitment consultant Lindsay Matthews was on hand throughout the Caithness Jobs event, highlighting more than 40 live vacancies currently available in the region. From engineering and renewables to healthcare, hospitality and professional services, the platform demonstrates the depth of opportunity here.
Live North is more than a jobs board. It is part of a wider ambition to:
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Retain local talent
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Attract skilled professionals
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Support employers in accessing the workforce they need
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Strengthen the case for the North Highlands as a place to live, work and study
If you have a vacancy at your business or want to help make our region sustainable, please support Live North and help spread the word.
The energy at this year’s event was a reminder that Caithness is not standing still. We are building a confident economic future – and ensuring the talent to deliver it is right here at home.