Hundreds of second-year school pupils are gathering at the Highland Conference Centre (Newton Hotel) in Nairn this week to take part in a fun-filled and informative workshop designed to encourage them to consider a career in Scottish manufacturing.

'Make it in Scotland' is a nationwide programme devised and funded by the Scottish Executive in partnership with the manufacturing industry and organised by Careers Scotland.  It aims to dispel some of the negative images which surround manufacturing and show pupils the diversity of career options available locally and across the country.

The Nairn event, which runs from Monday 3 to Friday 7 March, is the largest one to be held in the Highlands and Islands, drawing in pupils from a wide area, stretching from Sutherland to Speyside.
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Carefully designed to appeal to 12-14 year-olds, each day's programme features a range of exciting hands-on activities to give pupils a flavour of the range of 21st century manufacturing in Scotland.

The week-long event was opened by Dr Jim Hunter, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the guest speaker was Dr Peter Hughes, OBE, chief executive of Scottish Engineering.

Ian Carse, head of services for Careers Scotland in the Highlands and Islands, said Make it in Scotland offered pupils an insight into the range of businesses which make up the modern manufacturing sector - going far beyond the old 'oily rag' stereotype.

"For some years now, manufacturing has had a bit of an image problem with young people, many of whom prefer to set their sights on something they see as more glamorous," said Ian.

"The reality, however, is that the sector now covers a very wide and exciting range of jobs, from computer hardware and software to food and drink, medical diagnostics, renewable energy and other advanced technologies.

"Once pupils discover that opportunities in these kinds of cutting edge industries are available right here in the Highlands and Islands, they begin to see manufacturing in a whole new light.

"It's vital for Scotland's economic future that many of our best and brightest young people can be attracted to these jobs and see the huge potential there is to develop a rich and rewarding career in manufacturing.

"The events we've held so far, in Skye and Argyll, have been very successful and we're hoping all the pupils attending the Nairn event will be equally inspired by what they see and hear."

Future Make it in Scotland events are scheduled for Thurso (18 March); Wick (19 March); Kinlochbervie (20 March);  Kirkwall (25 March), and Lerwick (26 March).  Dates in Lochaber and the Western Isles will be confirmed shortly.

Further information is available online at www.makeitinscotland.co.uk