'Grow your own' workforce proposed for council

Highland Council has proposed "growing its own" workforce to help it overcome recruitment difficulties.

It said finding candidates with the right skillset and experience was a Scotland-wide issue but exacerbated in rural areas of the Highlands.

The local authority said a further challenge was the region's aging demographic, and it expected a high number of its staff to retire in the next five years.

In a new report, it said Modern Apprenticeships and close working with local colleges and secondary schools were essential parts of planning its future workforce.

The report, due to be discussed by councillors on Thursday, also said the council should seek to reduce staff turnover.

It said a lack of training and development opportunities had been given among the reasons why staff left.

To help retain employees, the report has recommended improving work-life balance by supporting flexible and hybrid working.

Officials said in the paper: "Focus lies on branding the Highland Council as an employer of choice and working in partnership with other employers to attract workforce to the Highland.

"Growing our own by developing our current workforce and engaging the young workforce through Modern Apprenticeships is an essential component of workforce planning.

"Other measures are working closely with secondary education providers to ensure training courses meet our recruitment needs, and to increase the number of work experience placements.