 As part of EMEC's takeover of our social media, we hear from John Skuse who tells us about his job as Operations and Maintenance Manager and the journey he took to get there.
John started his career with a summer job in a maintenance department, that turned into a permanent role when he left school. By his own admission, he didn’t do well in school as he was more interested in taking things apart and putting them back together. However, he has gained qualifications alongside working through day release and night school. Experience has also helped him to develop some key employability skills such as team work, communication and management skills.  Continuing EMEC's takeover of our social media, we now hear from Danielle Moodie a Project Manager with EMEC.
While studying French, Italian and EU Studies at University, Danielle worked for a building society in Orkney and Edinburgh, taking on a full-time job position after graduation. She then worked in South Africa on a funded work placement in local government. During a trip back home, she saw a temporary Admin Assistant role with EMEC advertised and was successful in getting the job. She has since worked in various roles within the company, developing new skills and knowledge.  Now we hear from James Ferguson, who is a Research and Development Engineer with EMEC.
James studied Chemical Engineering in an integrated Honours-Masters programme at the University of Edinburgh. After taking some time out to travel, he then began his Doctorate, working with EMEC on their hydrogen project. After he completed his Thesis, he was offered a job with EMEC.  The first Staff Focus from EMEC is Elaine Buck, Technical Manager, who tells us about her career journey.
Elaine started by studying Radio, Television and Film, before changing to Marine Sciences, planning to become a Marine Biologist. She then spent 20 years in the Oil and Gas industry, before the environmental impact of fossil fuels saw her consider a switch to renewable energy. After completing her MSc in her mid-40s, she started working with EMEC. Elaine reminds us that there is no wrong path into a career, and we will all experience many twists and turns on our career journey, constantly learning new skills. The European and Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is based in Stromness and provides open-sea testing facilities to developers of wave and tidal energy converters. They are also involved in hydrogen production, consultancy and research. This Business Focus will provide you with more information about what EMEC do, the careers they have available and the sorts of skills or qualifications you may need to work with them. For more information visit emec.org.uk    As part of Employment Support’s takeover of our social media pages, we now hear from Danny Oliver and Employability Co-ordinator.
Danny left school with no interest in further education so, having left his part-time job in a supermarket, he signed on at the Jobcentre and started doing casual voluntary work for a voluntary sector organisation supporting people with learning disabilities. This led to full-time work and the opportunity to complete a social care qualification with the support of his employers. He stayed with the organisation for 14 years, before a move to Orkney saw him take on his current role with Orkney Health and Care. The Employment Support Service are based within Orkney Health and Care (OHAC), which is a partnership between OIC and NHS Orkney. The team support people with learning disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorders to gain employment/work. There are currently two staff members in the team who work as Employment Co-ordinators. To learn more about how they can support individuals and how to access their support, read their Support Focus.  
Northvet are a mixed veterinary practice, meaning they look after small animals (such as domestic pets) and large animals on farms. They have three surgeries in Kirkwall, Stromness and Harray.
In this film you will hear more about the variety of careers available with Northvet, some of the different pathways into these career and learn about some of the skills you might need to work in a Veterinary career. For more information visit www.northvet.co.uk
Job CentrePlus is a government-funded employment agency overseen by the Department of Work and Pensions. Its purpose is to help people find work through services such as job-hunting programmes and external job vacancies, while it also provides financial support to eligible job hunters.
In a film from earlier this year, you can get an overview of their services, information on Universal Credit and how they can help individuals into work. For more information, contact the Kirkwall Job Centre on Tankerness Lane.
Pentland Ferries operates the short sea ferry crossing from St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay to Gills Bay in Caithness. It is a family business, which has been operating since 2001.
There are career opportunities available shoreside as Shore Staff, in Customer Services and Booking Agents. On their ferry the MV Alfred, there are careers such as Masters, Engineers and Stewards. For more information visit www.pentlandferries.co.uk  As part of our Social Media Takeover, we now hear from Claire Mullins, an Administrative Assistant with Heriot-Watt University at their Orkney Campus.
After studying Music at University, Claire qualified as a Music Teacher and taught for seven years. After deciding she was wanted to change direction, she took time out and worked in Starbucks, before picking up some work as a supply Teacher. She then became an Exam Invigilator before moving into the role of Exams Officer which was a more administrative role, managing exams in schools and colleges. A move to Orkney prompted her next career move, and she initially managed a café before applying for her current role at Heriot-Watt University.  The final Staff Focus from OHAL’s takeover of our social media pages is from Leanne Omand, Customer Service Assistant.
After leaving school at the end of sixth year, Leanne initially struggled to find a permanent job, before starting work as a Shop Assistant. After a couple of years, she saw a Modern Apprenticeship opportunity with OHAL’s administrative team and was successful in applying for the job. During her time with OHAL she completed her SVQ Level 2 and Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship before being offered a permanent role with the organisation. Leanne believes that a Modern Apprenticeship is a great way to get the skills and experience you need to start your career.  Our next Staff Focus from Orkney Housing Association Ltd. (OHAL) is from Richard Flett, Development and Properties Manager.
After school, Richard went to Edinburgh University to study Civil and Structural Engineering, during summer holidays he undertook work experience with Orkney Islands Council (OIC). After his graduation he worked for the OIC in the Roads Department for a year before moving onto to work with a local Consulting Civil and Structural Engineer. After 11 years, he joined OHAL as Development Co-ordinator, before being promoted to Technical Services Manager in 2016.  Next in our Social Media Takeover, we hear from Mhairi Hughes from Orkney Housing Association Ltd (OHAL) who tells us about her role with the organisation.
Mhairi joined OHAL 24 years ago, moving from another local firm where she worked in accounts. She originally joined as Office Manager, but over the years the job has evolved, and she is now the Head of Corporate Governance.  As part of our Social Media Takeover, we now hear from Suzy Boardman, Communications and Engagement Officer with Orkney Housing Association Ltd.
Initially, Suzy’s role with OHAC focused on tenant participation but she spotted an opportunity to develop the role and her duties expanded to include writing for the newsletter and the annual report, updating the website and organising events. Suzy continues to explore different says to develop the role and help OHAL stay connected with their customers and staff.  In our next Staff Focus from Orkney Housing Association Ltd., we hear from Fraser Devine, Manager for Orkney Care and Repair.
When he left school, Fraser initially wanted to work in hospitality so studied for a BA in Hospitality, Business Management and Tourism at Napier University. After University, he took on a temporary role in a music store, which became permanent and eventually saw him promoted to Team Leader then Assistant Manager. A move to Woolworths as a Team Leader followed, and he worked for the company for 17 years in stores across Scotland, finishing up as Manager of the Woolworths in Kirkwall for 11 years, until the business went into administration. Fraser then moved into the Third Sector working for VAO for nine years, before becoming Manager at Skaill House. In 2019, he started with Care and Repair in his current role.  As part of our Social Media Takeover, we hear from Catherine Browne from Orkney Housing Association Ltd (OHAL) who tells us about the journey she took to her current role as Finance and Asset Management Advisor.
Shortly after leaving school, Catherine started working in an out of school care facility in her native Shetland. She also picked up part-time work in a variety of different roles while she worked towards her degree in Cultural Studies. She then undertook a postgraduate diploma in Archaeology, which included a two-month placement in Iceland. Following graduation, she worked as an Office Administrator with an Insurance Broker before being offered the chance to move to Orkney to work at Santander. Three years later, she moved to OHAL to work in the Finance Department. Orkney Housing Association Ltd. (OHAL) provide good quality affordable homes and services for the benefit of the people and community of Orkney. There are five departments within OHAL, offering a variety of career opportunities and roles to suit different interests and skill sets. These departments include Finance, Development and Properties, Housing and Customer Services, Corporate Governance and Care and Repair. To learn more about some of the careers with OHAL, as well as some of the opportunities to develop and gain qualifications while working, read their Business Focus.  
Have you ever considered volunteering?
A good way to develop the skills and experience that employers look for in their employees is to volunteer. In a film they made for us earlier this year, Brian and Kirsty from Voluntary Action Orkney give some advice on how you can access volunteering opportunities in Orkney. Find out more at www.vaorkney.org.uk/volunteering  As part of our Social Media Takeover, Rebecca Shanks from Aquatera tells us about her job as an Environmental Consultant and the journey she took to get there.
Rebecca is originally from Sweden and decided that she wanted to study Biology. She went to Australia where she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology and Zoology. She then went onto work as a substitute teacher back in Sweden before moving to Orkney to start her Masters Degree in Marine Resource Management at Heriot-Watt’s Orkney Campus. Once she finished her Masters she worked for Xodus as a Graduate Environment Consultant before moving to Aquatera to take on her current role. You can read more about Rebecca’s job role below.
Aquatera have made a short film for us that gives an overview of the business, the role of a Consultant and some of the skills and subjects needed for that role.
Learn more at www.aquatera.co.uk Aquatera specialise in environmental and operational support for marine, costal and land-based activity. Based in Stromness, they offer opportunities to work in countries around the world, with a variety of businesses and sectors including oil and gas, renewables and tourism and recreation. This Business Focus gives you more information about Aquatera, the careers available with them, the skills and qualifications they look for in their staff and some of the opportunities that are available to young people.    Next week, we are handing over our social media sites to local businesses, organisations and support agencies to help you learn more about careers, training and educational opportunities here in Orkney.
Running from Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 September, our Careers Week Social Media Takeover will give you the chance to learn more about some of the businesses based here in Orkney and the jobs and opportunities they provide their staff. We will also hear from some of the support agencies that are on hand to support you into employment, whatever your need. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to view the posts, and follow the hashtag #OrkneyCareers too.  For Jobs of the Week this week we have a variety of jobs including: Trainee Ambulance Care Assistants with NHS Orkney, an Administrator for Psychological Therapies with NHS Orkney, a Members Representative with Nationwide and many others.
If you need any help with completing your application for any of the job here you can find resources on our website to help you write a CV, complete an application form and prepare for an interview. Click here to find out more. For full details of the jobs, including where to apply, click on the purple button below.  For Jobs of the Week this week we have a variety of jobs including a Immunisation Clinic Administrator with NHS Orkney, a Part-time Café Assistant at Sheila Fleet Café, an Electrician with Robertson and many more.
If you are successful in securing an interview for any of these jobs, it is worth remembering that more interviews are being conducted online or over the phone at the moment. While this may seem more nerve wracking than a face-to-face interview, it is important to remember that the principles of preparing for an interview are the same, regardless of the format. For advice on preparing for an interview, and tips for an online interview, check out the Interviews section of our ‘Planning for the Future’ programme, here. For full details of the jobs, including where to apply, click on the purple button below. |
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