Opening Doors: Highland Council Leads the Way in Recruiting the Next Generation

With an ageing workforce and continued labour market challenges, The Highland Council is taking a forward-thinking approach to recruitment - one that both supports young people and helps futureproof essential services. Their Cleaning and Facilities Management team is offering part-time roles to senior phase pupils (S5/6) in over 24 schools and associated buildings across the region, creating accessible, meaningful opportunities for young people to step into the world of work.

This initiative is more than just a job opportunity. It’s a bold example of how employers can tap into a local and often overlooked pool of talent - young people - and introduce them to the workplace in a supportive, familiar environment. These paid roles, which come with generous hourly rates and term-time working hours, provide students with vital experience in communication, teamwork, and responsibility - skills that will serve them in any future career.

Sandra McCaughey, Employer Engagement Manager at Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland highlights, “This is a great example of how innovative thinking can achieve a range of positive outcomes. Not only does it give young people the chance to gain paid work experience in a safe and familiar environment, it also helps them build confidence, routine, and a sense of responsibility. At the same time, it helps employers connect early with the future workforce and showcase the opportunities they offer.”

The programme, which was first trialled in Caithness, forms part of the Council’s wider ‘Workforce for the Future’ strategy and is now being rolled out across the region - from Kinlochbervie to Portree, Wick to Grantown. Pupils are encouraged to apply for any vacancy that suits their location and circumstances, not just those based in their own schools.

“With an ageing workforce, we need to think differently about how we attract and develop our next generation of employees,” said Ewan Henderson, Training Co-ordinator with The Highland Council’s Cleaning and Facilities Management team. “This initiative provides a structured, supported pathway into work for young people and offers a real insight into the variety of careers the council can offer. It’s good for our services and even better for the young people involved.”

For employers more broadly, this approach presents a model worth considering. Creating space for young people in the workforce builds brand reputation, strengthens recruitment pipelines, and allows businesses to become employers of choice for future talent. In a challenging labour market, thinking differently is not just a benefit - it’s a necessity.

Know a young person in S5/S6 who might be interested? Email ccfmadmin@highland.gov.uk for further information about the roles and an application form.
Closing date: Wednesday 18th June at 5pm. Interviews will take place in late June/early July with roles starting on Monday 18th August 2025.