STUC chief hails 'real determination' in Caithness to secure economic benefit
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
ECONOMIC development in Caithness was on the agenda when Grahame Smith, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), visited the county.
Mr Smith met with a number of organisations during the trip which was organised by Thurso and Wick Trades Union Council and is part of long-standing engagement between the STUC and unions and workers in the area.
The visit took in Dounreay, Wick John O'Groats Airport, the Nucleus archive centre, the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd control room in Wick and North Highland College UHI in Thurso.
Mr Smith said that there is a "real determination" locally to make the most of the opportunities for development.
"The STUC regularly visits the Caithness area and meets with unions, employers and workers to discuss developments in the local economy and the impact on workers and unions," he said.
It was of particular interest to hear from the Beatrice workforce about how they came to work in the renewables sector.
"The striking thing about these visits continues to be the commitment and dedication that workers across the region have to the economic development in the area, and the level of joint working between unions, employers, education providers and economic development agencies to support inclusive, sustainable growth based on high-quality and fair employment.
"While the economy undoubtedly faces a number of significant challenges, including with the decommissioning of Dounreay, the provision of public services and ensuring effective connectivity, there are also significant opportunities on the horizon and a real determination locally to ensure that everyone can benefit from them."
He continued: "It was of particular interest to hear from the workforce at the Beatrice offshore wind farm about their personal journeys and how they came to work in the renewables sector. It brought home to me the value of broad-based, high-quality, work-based training, which lays the foundation for the skills that workers will need throughout their careers.
"Good basic skills acquired through an apprenticeship have supported the transition made by these workers from sectors like oil and gas to renewables, and from onshore to offshore wind.
"The area is clearly at the forefront of low-carbon transition but with the involvement of unions there are real efforts being made to ensure that the jobs available offer a high quality of life for workers and positive benefits for the communities where they are based.
"The spread of these jobs across Scotland and the commitment to maintain and support communities like Wick and Thurso throughout the transition will be a key test."
