Renewables company set to create 30 far north jobs
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THIRTY jobs are set to be created in Caithness by a supply chain company which claims the area has one of the most important roles to play in the future of the Scottish economy.
The Renewables Directory Limited (RDL) is in the final stages of agreeing a deal with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to relocate part of its operation from Bearsden to the far north to cash in on the marine renewables industry sector.
The company has announced its commitment to investing in the region and hopes to start employing staff as soon as April.
Over the next two years, it aims to hire 30 staff as it gears up to service an expected fast build-up of work in the renewables sector.
Commercial director Tim Sandford said that the Pentland Firth’s role in supplying the country’s future energy demands along with the calibre of workers which already exist in the area attracted his company north.
“This is the start of something that is quite exciting and the next stage is building that up,” he said.
“We will require people who may already be coming out of Dounreay but we will be looking to train up staff as well.
“We can’t confirm as yet what type of jobs will be created up there but we are absolutely intent on relocating to Caithness.
“There are lots of very good people up there already and we want to be able to make use of those people and for them to benefit out of this as well – we see this as a win win situation.”
Mr Sandford said that his company has not identified a site to base itself in the county at present but are in the final stages of discussions with HIE, which is assisting them with the relocation.
The focus of RDL’s operation will be to make the supply chain between buyer and vendor become more structured and organised.
“The offshore wind industry is retro-fitting standards and playing catch up with itself most of the time, resulting in cost overruns and things are not exactly where people wanted this industry to be at this point in time,” said Mr Sandford.
“To get a head start in wave and tidal, we will be working with a whole raft of people and to help establish the best way of doing things before the industry gets into full swing,” he said.
“That means making things more efficient, safer and taking the lessons from offshore wind and applying them much earlier in the offshore cycle.”
The move by the firm to Caithness shows its faith in the importance of the renewable sector to the national economy, according to Mr Sandford. He said that Scotland has proven to be one of the leading lights in water, oil and gas and was confident it could lead the way in offshore renewables.
The news will come as another major boost to the Caithness economy after it was announced last week that Aon Hewitt purchased Babcock International Group pensions administrations office, which has plans to expand the current 33 strong workforce at Forss.
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership manager Eann Sinclair said that the news was a sign that new businesses intent on moving to the far north are acting now, which can only breathe confidence into the viability of a successful renewable industry.
“The renewable industry in Caithness is not just about local businesses gearing up – it is about new businesses coming to the area too,” he said.
“We should be encouraging more businesses from across the country to consider relocating and the fact that businesses such as the Renewables Directory Limited are acting now shows that there is a feeling the industry is now at a stage which can support that level of investment.”
