Heriot-Watt University are now offering three Graduate Apprenticeships to the Orkney business community, starting in January 2021.
 
Fully funded by Skills Development Scotland, Graduate Apprenticeships are a work-based qualification that are suitable for existing or new employees.  Like a full-time degree, the Graduate Apprenticeship takes four years to complete, with employees spending approximately 80% of their time working, and 20% of their time studying.

​Young people in Orkney are being asked for their thoughts on how local employment support agencies can best help them move into employment, training or further education.
 
The Youth Employment Survey has been developed to better understand how COVID-19 has impacted young people and their options regarding education, training and employment, as well as better understand their knowledge of the support services that currently exist in Orkney.
 
The survey was developed in partnership by Job Centre Plus, Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce Orkney, the OIC’s Community Learning and Development and the Youth Forum.  It is open to all young people aged between 16-24 years, whether they are still in education, an apprenticeship, working or currently unemployed.
 
The Youth Employment Survey is now live and can be accessed here and will be open until Friday 23 October 2020.

Copies in word can be requested by emailing [email protected]

We are all aware of the economic impact of coronavirus and that some businesses have either made or are having to consider making redundancies. This is not an easy process for the employer or the employee, but help is at hand to provide support.

The local PACE partnership offers a free, confidential redundancy support service for businesses of any size.  The service is free and employers can use it to help them and their staff navigate redundancy.

It is managed by Skills Development Scotland, and Claire Sim from the Kirkwall team has made the below video explaining more about PACE and the support they can offer Orkney businesses.  You can also read more here.

If you would like to learn more about PACE, contact Claire on [email protected] or call (01856) 602 815.