SkillCity Highland, the largest careers event ever held in the Highlands, was launched today (Tuesday 14 September 2004) at the Highland Football Academy and Ross County Football Club, Dingwall.

Organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Careers Scotland, the four-day event is centred around a vibrant city split into lively zones which cover everything from construction to forestry, from the armed forces to the hospitality industry.

Around 70 businesses and organisations from across the Highlands and Islands will take part, offering exciting career tasters to 4,000 students from high schools as far apart as Kinlochbervie and Keith.

Alex Paterson, HIE's director of developing skills, launched the event by awarding a symbolic 'key to the city' to a group of young visitors.

"SkillCity is all about unlocking potential, and getting the information and inspiration to make well-informed, realistic career decisions," said Mr Paterson.

"Challenging young people to have a go at a huge range of practical skills will, we believe, help them learn about their own strengths and abilities.

"Two successful SkillCity events have already been held in Manchester. These were targeted at 14-25 year olds and welcomed around 70,000 young people. We were keen to bring SkillCity to the Highlands to give our young people something different and worthwhile that would constitute a valuable careers primer.

"Self-awareness and self-belief are important parts of effective career planning.  By offering practical experience within a lively atmosphere, this event will generate real enthusiasm and inform and inspire its visitors with the will to succeed."
 
During the launch, the two key sponsors - Tulloch plc and Lifescan Scotland - were happy to try out their skills and 'give it a go' at several of the activities.

George Fraser, chief executive of Tulloch plc, picked up the SkillCity beat and played the drums in the Music Zone.

"Whatever you choose to do in life, you should do it well, and that's only possible when you enjoy and believe in what you are doing," said Mr Fraser. "Whether playing the drums or running an organisation, you need to take pride in the objectives you set and the goals you accomplish.

"SkillCity is a marvellous chance for young people to have a go, ask questions and then make sound, informed decisions about the career path they take."

Colin McAndrew, resourcing adviser at Lifescan Scotland, tried his hand at operating a mini crane and commented: "I'm sure anyone older can remember how difficult it was to take that first step in a career, and the doubts that sometimes crept in. SkillCity is a very good way of minimising that risk factor, enabling young people to try at first hand the skills required from a job, and then be confident in their choice.

"SkillCity is here to both confirm existing career dreams and open doors that take young people off in new directions they hadn't thought of."

Visitors to SkillCity Highland can climb into an RAF hawk fighter jet, become a BBC presenter, build walls, try their hand at shiatsu, test out their level of fitness and much more. During the four days there are plenty of practical displays to give young people the chance to have a go and see if the career they imagined lives up to the reality.

Alex Paterson believes SkillCity Highland's emphasis on interactivity and practical skills testing is going to set new standards for careers events in Scotland.

"It's wonderful to see such an innovative and large-scale event taking place in the Highlands," he said. "I am confident that the enthusiasm and drive that has gone into organising SkillCity will rub off on the young people that are visiting over the next four days and inspire them to build rewarding and successful careers."