 The fourth Orkney Careers Fair was held earlier this month at the Pickaquoy Centre and was attended by almost 1,000 young people and adults from across the county.
As well as being attended by members of the general public, over 600 S4-S6 pupils from Stromness Academy and Kirkwall Grammar School, and S3-S4 pupils from Stronsay, Sanday and Westray Junior High Schools came along and accessed a wide variety of careers, education and training information, all geared to helping them understand the options available to them locally and further afield. Along with local school pupils, 18 senior pupils from Farr High School in Bettyhill, made the trip over the Firth to attend the event.  It’s Thursday which can only mean one thing, it is time for Jobs of the Week.
This week, there is the last chance to apply for a job as a Yard Operative/Driver with Cooke Scotland, while R S Merriman, Orkney Motors and James Wilson are all looking for Office Administrators to join their teams, while Orkney Crab are looking for Processing Staff. NHS Orkney are also looking for Domestic Assistants, offering a variety of contract options to suit individual circumstances. No previous experience is required, as full training will be given. If you'd like to find out more before applying, there is an informal drop-in information afternoon at The Balfour on Wednesday 7 October, 2pm-7pm. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. This week’s Jobs of the Week features opportunities with Cooke Scotland, Orkney Islands Council, NHS Orkney and Streamline, and what do they all have in common? They will all be exhibitors at next week’s Orkney Careers Fair! If you are looking to take the first step on your career journey, looking to return to work following a career break or considering a change of career, you should come along to the Orkney Careers Fair, which will be in the Arena of the Pickaquoy Centre on Thursday 1 October. Read more here.  The Orkney Careers Fair takes place on Thursday 1 October 2026 at the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall. The event has been organised by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). To help parents and carers learn more about the event, we have a pre-event information presentation available to help anyone who is supporting a young person or adult who will be, or is interested in, attending this event. The presentation will help you to learn more about the event, who will be exhibiting, timings for school attendance and when parents and carers can attend the event. There will also be a chance to get some advice and guidance on how to best support your young person or adult to get the most out of the event. All S4-S6 pupils in Orkney will be taken to the event, along with S3 pupils from the three Junior High Schools. Pupils will be supported by school Guidance Staff, SDS Careers Advisers and DYW School Co-ordinators to prepare for the event. The information presentation last 10 minutes, and you can view it below. You will also find lots of useful information on our website, here.  This week’s Jobs of the Week are now live to view.
This week, there is the last chance to apply for several jobs, including a part-time Auxiliary at Hope Primary School, an Early Years Support Worker role at Sanday Nursery, an Agricultural Technician with SAC Consulting, a Retail Assistant with the Orcadian Bookshop and, an Administrative Assistant with NHS Orkney. Applications close for all of these roles over the weekend or early next week. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. If you are looking to take the first step on your career journey, looking to return to work following a career break or considering a change of career, you should come along to the Orkney Careers Fair, which will be in the Arena of the Pickaquoy Centre on Thursday 1 October. Read more here.  Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) are joining forces to host the fourth Orkney Careers Fair this October in Kirkwall.
This free event will be held in the Arena of the Pickaquoy Centre on Thursday 1 October 2026, from 9.30am-6pm, and will be open to school pupils, parents and guardians, teachers and the general public. Almost 70 exhibitors, including employers, universities and colleges, training providers and employability support services, will be in attendance. They will be on hand to discuss career opportunities, vocational and academic pathways and the support that individuals can access to help them take the next step on their career journey.  This week’s Jobs of the Week are now live to view.
This week, there is the chance to join Northern Turbine Services as a Wind Turbine Technician. SAC Consulting are also looking for an Agricultural Technician to join their team in Kirkwall, while the Swannay Brewery is looking for a Delivery Driver/Brewery Assistant. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. If you are struggling to fill out a form, help is on hand. Visit My World of Work for hints and tips, here, or speak to a Careers Adviser at the Careers Centre in Kirkwall.  It’s Thursday, which means it is time for Jobs of the Week!
This week, we have a variety of roles including part-time and Relief roles, as well as full-time opportunities. The Kirkwall Hotel are looking for people to join their evening Front of House team, while The Orcadian Bookshop is looking for a new Retail Assistant. Heddle Construction are looking to recruit into a variety of roles which are open to experienced or trainee candidates, full details of the opportunities are on their website. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. Your experience doesn't need to come from a full-time, paid job. You can gain valuable transferrable skills from things like placements, internships, relief work, volunteering, clubs, sports, and hobbies.  It’s Thursday, which means it is time for Jobs of the Week!
This week, we have the last chance to apply for several jobs including as a Factory Processor with Cooke Scotland, and an Estates Administrative Assistant with NHS Orkney. The closing date for both positions is this Sunday (30 August 2026). We also have two positions which would suit a recent graduate, the first is a Graduate Environmental Consultant with Xodus Group in Stromness, and the second is with Highlands and Islands Enterprise as a Graduate Development Officer. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. When writing a personal statement, think of the job you're applying for as well as the values of the company. Let them know who you are, what you can offer to them, and your career progression goals if you do land the job.  Young people across Orkney will tomorrow (Tuesday 4 August) receive their Qualifications Scotland results. If your results are not what you expected, don’t panic you still have options – and there will be experts on hand to help you navigate the next part of your journey.
From 8am on Tuesday 4 August, a dedicated Results Helpline from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will run with Careers Advisers waiting to answer calls and offer advice, information and support to young people and their parents or carers.  Are you ready to move into employment but don’t know where to start, or need help to get ready to take the next step?
Support is available with a FREE six-day employability programme. Delivered by a Careers Adviser and Employability Keyworker, the six sessions will help you to identify and evidence your transferrable skills and develop your skills in job searching, CV writing, completing applications and preparing for an interview. The course is open to anyone aged 16-67 years who is not in education, employment or training, and will be held over six Tuesdays in August and September. The programme will be held on Tuesday 18 and 25 August and Tuesday 1, 8, 14 and 22 September 2026, 10am-2.30pm in The Hub, 2 Albert Street, Kirkwall. If you would like to take part, email [email protected] or phone (01856) 873 535, ext. 2212 to book your space.  It’s Thursday, which means it is time for Jobs of the Week!
This week, we have the last chance to apply to become a Customer Team Member at the Co-op on Pickaquoy Road, Kirkwall. We also have a Laboratory Technician role with NOV on Flotta, the Pickaquoy Centre are looking for someone to join their Front of House team in the Café, and there are two Administrative Assistant opportunities with Orkney Islands Council. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. Remember, your skills and strengths can always be developed. Some great ways of doing this might be to join an evening class, short course or club outwith school or work. Community Learning, Development and Employability list a great number of courses here, which you can register to from the age of 14. To enable our team to take a well-deserved summer break, Jobs of the Week will be taking a break for a few weeks. It will return on Thursday 27 August.  An event to help young people access experiential careers learning has recently been held in Orkney.
At the end of last term, second year pupils at Kirkwall Grammar School took part in ‘Island Legacy’, a choose your own adventure game, where pupils were stranded on a virtual island and, working in teams, had to try and escape, or remain, survive and thrive. Island Legacy is a partnership initiative between Kirkwall Grammar School, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). It was developed in 2025 as part of a Skills Challenge Pilot for SDS, as a way to offer experiential careers learning to pupils which is practical, work-related and skills focused.  The 'No Wrong Path' campaign will be returning to our social media feeds this August and we are inviting anyone from around Orkney – and Orcadians living further afield – to take part.
In its tenth year, the campaign will run throughout the week that the Scottish exam results are released and aims to educate and inspire young people about their options regardless of the results they have received, by highlighting that many people in interesting jobs didn't necessarily take a straight, obvious or traditional path to get there.  Thursday is here again, as are our nine Jobs of the Week!
This week, we have the last chance to apply for an Administrative Assistant at Smiddybrae House in Dounby, part-time opportunities with Tesco as a Tesco Colleague and the Pickaquoy Centre are looking for a Café Kitchen Assistant - plus lots of other opportunities. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. During a job interview your presentation matters, right down to what you wear on the day and the body language you use. My World of Work has a great guide on how to impress at a job interview, which can be found here.  It’s Thursday, time for Jobs of the Week!
This week, we have the last chance to apply to two Modern Apprenticeship in Social Care, one at the Sunnybrae Centre, while the other is with the All Age Learning Disabilities, Short Breaks and Supported Living Network. There are also part-time positions with Aurora Jewellery, Archive Coffee and the St Ola Hotel, while Sheila Fleet’s Kirk Gallery and Café are looking for a Chef, which could be a Trainee position. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. Having trouble thinking of what to write into a CV or personal statement? My World of Work have some great quiz-based resources to help you figure out strengths, skills and qualities you have - they will even suggest jobs or career paths based on what you enter! Check out their tools and quizzes here.  It’s Thursday, which must mean it is time for our Jobs of the Week post!
This week, we have some part-time roles available with The Orcadian Bookshop, Northlink Ferries and Orkney Ferries. R Clouston Ltd are looking for an Apprentice Joiner, while NOV on Flotta are looking for a Graduate Chemist to join their team – plus lots more opportunities. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. This week we have some temporary and part-time jobs available, which you might not apply for if you are looking for a permanent role, however relief, temporary and part-time jobs are a brilliant way of gaining experience and refining your skills, which can be put to use in jobs you work all through your life. They can also sometimes lead to full-time or permanent opportunities.  This week’s Jobs of the Week are now live to view.
If you are looking to earn while you learn, there are two apprenticeship opportunities, the first as an Apprentice Butcher with E Flett Butcher in Stromness, and the other is a Modern Apprenticeship in Social Care with Orkney Islands Council. There are also part-time opportunities with the Co-op, Pickaquoy Centre, NHS Orkney and, Archive Coffee are looking for a Dishwasher to work on Sundays. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. If you're struggling to fill out an application form, help is at hand. Check out the guide on our website here, or on My World of Work, here, for more information.  Jobs of the Week for this week are now live.
This week there are several opportunities that would suit someone who is looking for a job that provides on-the-job training and offers opportunities for development. There are apprenticeship opportunities with the Orkney Health and Social Care Partnership, R Clouston Ltd. and Sean Stanger Joinery and Building. There are also two Trainee Dental Nurse opportunities, one with NHS Orkney and the other with Orkney Dental. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. If you are looking for a job, but also keen to gain a qualification, an apprenticeship may be for you. Apprenticeships are a great way to get real-life industry experience alongside a recognised qualification. If you would like more information on apprenticeships, speak to a Careers Adviser or visit apprenticeships.scot.  A grant to help residents of St Andrews and Deerness in Orkney with further and higher education costs is now open.
The St Andrews and Deerness Community Council Ayrenergy Education Grant provides assistance to students with undertaking further education. Individuals can apply for a maximum grant of £500 which can be used towards course fees, books, accommodation, transport, electronic equipment and laptop or any other course related fees. You are eligible to apply if you are:
Applications for the 2026/27 academic year close on Sunday 23 August 2026. For further information and an application form, visit: St Andrews & Deerness Community Council | EDUCATION GRANT  It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for Jobs of the Week!
This week, we include your last chance to apply for a Finance and Administration Assistant post with the Pickaquoy Centre, and a Trainee Bookkeeper post with Scholes Chartered Accountants. There is also a seasonal opportunity with Argo’s Bakery as a Dispatch Worker, which would suit a school pupil or student on their summer holidays, and opportunities with Orkney Islands Council for Early Years Practitioner in Training. For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, click on the button below. Your experience doesn't need to come from a full-time, paid job. You can gain valuable transferrable skills from things like placements, internships, relief work, volunteering, clubs, sports, and hobbies.  Jobs of the Week are live!
This week, the Pier Arts Centre are looking for a Seasonal Assistant, NHS Orkney are advertising a relief post for a Maternity Support Worker, Kenny Foulis Gardening Services have vacancies for Labourers, and more! For full details on the jobs we've included this week, click on the button below. There are a great variety of apprenticeships you can undertake across many different industries - they're not just for the trades! Some different areas you can apprentice in include social services, IT, life sciences, business and administration, and many more. Check out apprenticeships.scot for more information.  Jobs of the Week are live!
This week, Scholes CA are recruiting a Trainee Accountant at their office in Kirkwall, Orkney Crab are looking for Processing Staff, and Argo's Bakery have a part-time opportunity in their shop in Kirkwall, perfect for student workers! For full details on the jobs we've included this week, click on the button below. During an interview, if you can, try to relate your skills and experience to the role. This could be something as simple as spending time using a home computer. Employers often look for computer literacy in potential candidates (even in industries you might not expect!), and they'll usually list this in the person specification.  It's Thursday! Jobs of the Week are live.
This week, Archive Coffee and The Ferry Inn are looking for seasonal kitchen staff, Jollys of Orkney have a vacancy for a Shop Assistant in Hatston, Orkney Dental are advertising a Trainee Dental Nurse opportunity, and more! For full details on the jobs we've included this week, click on the button below. Are you job hunting? Need a confidence boost with your CV or application? The Local Employability Partnership are launching Drop-In Job Hub Sessions starting Monday 1st June at The Hub, Albert Street. Whether you're writing a CV from scratch, perfecting an application, or preparing for an interview, the team is here to help every step of the way.  Jobs of the Week are live!
This week's features include a Seasonal Customer Services Assistant opening at NorthLink Ferries in Stromness, a vacancy for a General Youth Worker at the Westray Youth Club, an Apprenticeship opportunity with Casey Construction for any budding joiners, carpenters or brickworkers, and more! For full details on the jobs we've included this week, click on the button below. As a young or inexperienced worker, it can often be hard to give examples of why you have a certain strength or skill. Don't be afraid to write down something that sounds mundane, like planning a weekend away or joining a school committee, because it could very well be a valid example!  Jobs of the Week are live!
This week, the Scapa Distillery are looking for Hosts and Hospitality Assistants (18+) to work with them over the busy summer season, Orcades Marine are recruiting an Operations Assistant to help in the office and on-site, Lidl have a Customer Assistant vacancy, and more. For full details on the jobs we've included this week, click on the button below. We're not the only place that posts jobs! If you're not feeling any of the jobs we've curated this week, you can check out sites like orkney.com, My Job Scotland or The Orcadian for more postings. |
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