Firms urged to create new apprentice jobs
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Thurso councillor John Rosie argued now is the time for action – for councillors to speak to companies in Caithness to find out what their intentions are regarding creating apprentice jobs.
He said members should look at what has already been created and what can be done to help reduce local unemployment rates.
Mr Rosie plans to air his views at the next Caithness and Sutherland area committee meeting in June to discuss progress so far and what needs to be done.
He wants councillors to be more active in making sure residents get the most benefits from the opportunities available, coinciding with the rundown at Dounreay.
“We have a duty as councillors to get as many apprentices as possible from this renewable boom,” he said.
“The companies moving to the county have to be looked at – what they are investing in and the training opportunities they have to enable young people to train to qualify to carry out these renewable developments.
“As a committee, we now have to encourage these companies to work with schools and create work placements and apprenticeships to make the engineering industry an exciting prospect and reduce the level of unemployment in Caithness and Sutherland.
“The situation is at the stage where the talking is done and the jobs are appearing so action needs to be taken and arrangements made with education chiefs.
“If we sit back and do nothing, we are letting young people down.”
Mr Rosie wants to see the number of young people serving apprenticeships in the renewable industry account for a significant percentage of the jobs created.
He hopes to see companies arrange workshops and discussions with pupils at secondary schools in Thurso and Wick and discuss what opportunities are available for future careers.
But he said this will only happen if councillors develop close relationships with engineering firms and highlight the importance of creating employment opportunities.
Miller Construction, the company awarded the tender to build the new Wick High School and two primary schools, has announced, as part of its commitment to the local economy, it will be creating over 400 jobs, with the majority of these workers already based in the county.
Tenant liaison officer Heather Sharkey said previously the company is committed to delivering community benefit from the project, which includes creating apprentice jobs and working with schools.
“We plan to do education work and talk about construction as a potential career with pupils as well as offer work experience opportunities,” she said.
“It is also planned to create apprenticeship jobs as well as raise money for community events.”
