'Careers Scotland' - the national, all age careers guidance service which will be officially launched next year has appointed a director for the Highlands and Islands.

Catriona Eagle from Dunoon in Argyll has been selected to head up the new organisation which is being managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in the north of Scotland. She is presently chief executive of Argyll and Bute Careers Partnership which manages the local careers and adult guidance services and adult guidance network.

The formation of 'Careers Scotland' was announced by the Scottish Executive earlier this year to make it easier for more people to access appropriate and high quality careers guidance. It will also bring the present careers service companies, adult guidance networks, education business partnerships (EBP) and lifelong learning partnerships into line with the country's two enterprise networks.

Formerly both a teacher and freelance photographer, Ms Eagle has been involved in careers guidance for nearly 20 years in a variety of posts around the UK. These range from careers advisor in Hampshire and assistant principal careers officer at Northamptonshire County Council, to director of guidance services in Wigan Borough Partnership where she worked with the EBP to make careers advice available to a much wider section of the community. She has lived and worked in Argyll since 1997.

Director of developing skills at HIE Alex Paterson said: "Catriona's appointment means the process of aligning 'Careers Scotland' with HIE can now confidently move forward - especially as she was part of the consultative committee whose recommendations led to its initial establishment.

"Providing easy access to information and guidance about education, careers and learning is an essential part of developing skills in the Highlands and Islands and it will contribute significantly to our other objectives of strengthening communities and growing businesses."

Catriona Eagle said: "My time so far in the Highlands and Islands has given me a taste of the challenges and rewards of working in this remarkable area. I have already had the good fortune to work with a range of people across the region from Shetland to Arran and I greatly look forward to building this exciting new organisation with all the talent and dedication of those who will be involved in it with me."

Ms Eagle will take up her new post on 1 August 2001 and 'Careers Scotland' will take effect from 1 April next year.