New Caithness and north Sutherland scheme to help boost graduate jobs
A new pilot scheme aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises across the far north attract and retain graduate talent has launched.
Caithness Business Fund announced the launch of the Graduate Placement Scheme this week, which it hopes will help keep young people in Caithness and north Sutherland.
Backed by NRS Dounreay and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the scheme will provide eligible businesses with grant funding covering up to 70 per cent of salary costs for a two-year period to employ a graduate in a newly created role.
The initiative is designed to support businesses working in key regional growth sectors – including energy, food and drink, space, and tourism – as well as those operating in areas with recognised skills shortages.
Applications are now open. As this is a pilot scheme, funding is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested businesses are strongly encouraged to contact Caithness Business Fund before submitting an application.
This announcement follows Caithness Business Fund’s celebration last month of a £250,000 investment from Focus North partners NRS Dounreay and the NDA. This funding not only enableds the launch of the pilot graduate scheme but also strengthened the fund’s two existing apprenticeship grant programmes.
Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce and director of Caithness Business Fund, said: “Developing local talent, opening up meaningful career opportunities, and addressing outward migration of skills from the region are essential to securing a prosperous future for the north Highlands. We’re delighted to launch this innovative new scheme.
“The substantial backing from NRS Dounreay and the NDA reflects the fund’s strong track record – supporting the creation of 13 new apprenticeships over the past year alone.
“The fund is already helping to build a stronger, more resilient workforce, and this latest investment enables us to support even more businesses and reinforce a message of opportunity and growth across the region.”
She added: “This targeted support will allow local companies to directly access grant funding to attract graduate talent into their business, nurturing a vibrant and diverse business landscape and helping to create a future-ready workforce.”
