Supporting employers
We are committed to helping employers meet their needs for a skilled workforce
Across the North and West Highlands, Skye and Outer Hebrides, the opportunities are vast across onshore and offshore wind, hydro, and hydrogen, while the just transition from oil and gas, as well as nuclear decommissioning, will continue to be important energy sectors for our communities for the foreseeable future.
Our region faces significant opportunities for economic growth, high-value job creation, and innovation in future-facing sustainable technologies. To turn this opportunity into reality, we need to work in strategic partnership with industry and employers to retain more people in our region, attract new talent, and urgently address skills shortages in the energy sector.
Industry-focused skills
Industry-focused skills
Industry-focused skills and training to your employees – practical, transferrable skills, delivered to employees through Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships and work-based Scottish Vocational Qualifications. We build knowledge, understanding, and technical skills, working closely with employers.
As well as delivering Modern Apprenticeship training to SSE plc, we have created a bespoke training programme, enabling trainee engineers to earn an HNC in Engineering Systems and progress to the 2nd year of a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
"UHI North, West and Hebrides’ commitment to service and understanding our needs and requirements ensures our transmission trainee engineers are well-prepared for the challenges of the industry.”Kayleigh Bell
Apprenticeship Programme Manager
Advanced learning opportunities to upskill or reskill employees
Advanced learning opportunities to upskill or reskill employees
Advanced learning opportunities to help upskill or reskill employees - we can help your employees take their learning further, through short continuous professional development, or undergraduate and postgraduate level qualifications, building advanced knowledge, critical thinking and personal growth.
"Apprenticeships allow us to rebuild the workforce and maximise the opportunities presented by the energy transition. UHI North, West and Hebrides equips our apprentices with the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills, allowing them to integrate into the yard environment while earning qualifications alongside their on-the-job training.”
Albert Allan
General Manager, Arnish Yard, Navantia UK
Access to a talent pipeline
Access to a talent pipeline
With a wide range of senior phase courses for secondary school pupils, further education skill-based vocational programmes, and higher education programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, we can provide access to college leavers and graduates looking for jobs.
We are committed to helping employers meet their needs for a skilled workforce, but we want to do this by working in
partnership. Get in touch with us and tell us about your skills gaps so we can help – we can advise on our courses and qualifications, explore a more customised offer to meet your needs, or direct you to colleagues across the UHI partnership. Contact our team, enterprise.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.
- Nurture the talent pipeline in our rural and island communities and help our learners reach their true potential by enhancing their academic and personal experience.
- Employers could do this in a variety of ways, including: Offering student/graduate internships, work experience, or placement opportunities.
- Talking to our learners about career opportunities and advertising vacancies in your sector.
- Delivering guest lecturers, hosting site visits, or supporting employer-led projects or work simulation activities.
- Participating as a mentor.
- Co-creating courses with us – this could range from working with us to deliver senior phase courses for
secondary school pupils or developing pioneering initiatives like the CECA Scotland Academy, which provides a college-to-work pathway for civil engineering operatives and a guaranteed job interview. - Working with our STEM outreach coordinators.
- Donations and sponsorship.
- Corporate scholarships, bursaries or prizes.
- Supporting research and knowledge exchange.
- Customised training and education for funded student placement projects.
Statkraft supports students across the UHI partnership through the Statkraft STEM Entrance Scholarship Fund. Two students are selected ever year, each receiving £3000 per year for the duration of their course, as well access to professional development opportunities and experiences.
