SkillCity Highland takes shape

SkillCity Highland, the interactive careers event organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Careers Scotland, will again be staged at the Highland Football Academy and Ross County Football Club from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th September.

The key to the enormous success of SkillCity Highland 2004 was its interactive emphasis. It gave 4,000 14–17 year old visitors the chance to have a go at a huge range of practical career-based skills offered by the 74 exhibitors.

For businesses, SkillCity is a great opportunity to meet the workforce of the future, as well as getting across the attractions of working for your business. It also offers promotional benefits, linking businesses to the most prestigious skills event ever staged in the Highlands. SkillCity is split into six lively Zones covering different career opportunities.

Here, we take a look at two of them to give a flavour of the scope of the event.

Armed Forces Zone

This year, the Armed Forces will build on the impact it made at last year’s event and are hoping to attract high-calibre young people with a taste for adventure for future careers in the Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. Fast moving and action packed, Army life, for example, is like no other. Training in Kenya one month, peace-keeping in Bosnia the next – and even pursuing your passion for piping or drumming as well!

Through the Armed forces, you can study for SVQs, modern apprenticeships and degrees, with adventure, travel and sports - from paragliding and mountaineering to diving and sailing. But for some jobs you do not have to have any qualifications – they will train you.

Lieutenant Colonel Kate Howie, The Army Careers Officer for the Highlands, based in Inverness, says: “We’re out to demonstrate that a career in the Armed Forces offers young people a lot more than just a job. It’s challenging and gives them opportunities to develop skills, enjoy good friendships and travel. As last year’s event proved, SkillCity is the ideal platform for us to dispel myths and give young people a real insight to the variety and excitement of Armed Forces life. "

Construction Zone

Every year, thousands of young people enter the construction industry, to improve and develop our living and working environment. Individual skills and team working are essential requirements for today’s modern industry together with practical skill and creative flair. Whether you're thinking of starting out as a bricklayer, plasterer, architect or construction manager, or your interest lies in public buildings, housing or roads, the construction industry offers you the chance to create something long lasting and valuable – and there aren't many jobs today you can say that about.

Rae Sinclair, Education and Careers Adviser, CITB-ConstructionSkills, says: “SkillCity puts pupils and college lecturers together, so there is genuine exchange of useful information from both parties. The event offers the challenge of the interactive displays for the pupils and employers get to see the calibre of young people visiting each Zone. Industry advisers are on hand to explain what’s involved in the vast range of training courses on offer. Construction is a world class industry which promotes responsibility and entrepreneurship and once qualified you could be running your own company and employing the workforce for the future.”

Finally, Emily Scott, a pupil from Dingwall Academy who attended SkillCity last year says: “SkillCity was a very enjoyable experience for many pupils. Becoming involved with interactive exhibits helped create lasting memories and widen knowledge of possible career paths. SkillCity is a great idea and this year’s event is a must for all young people attending as they are making important decisions about career choices.”

For further information contact Eleanor Neilson or Christine Moodie at Dynam. Tel: 01463 233692 Email: info@dynam.co.uk

To find out more about the opportunities presented, visit the SkillsCity web site