Reigniting Highland's Financial Services Industry

12th October 2011

People in Highland are being urged to explore a dynamic new initiative aimed to attract and retain talent in the financial services industry.

There are 1,117 people currently working in these services in Highland.

The launch today of the engaging new website, 're:think' by skills minister Dr Alasdair Allan is designed to encourage more people into the industry across Scotland.

The website was created by Skills Development Scotland, whose chief executive Damien Yeates was among those on the Skills Gateway group set up to take the initiative forward.

The Gateway is employer-driven, chaired by David Thorburn, chief executive of Clydesdale Bank, and members include senior staff from institutions such as RBS; Lloyds; Tesco Bank; Standard Life, Citi.

At the launch, Dr Alasdair Allan praised re:think for showcasing the diverse range of roles available in the industry through information, dynamic photography and video content.

He said: "To compete successfully, both here and abroad, Scotland's employers need a workforce equipped with the right kind of skills. The Scottish Government has highlighted finance as being key to the economy and resources such as re:think will help enable people to gain the skills and knowledge needed to help them prosper."

The website forms just one part of the Financial Services Skills Gateway (FSSG) that was established as a direct result of discussions between the industry, Scottish Government, Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB), key professional bodies, skills providers and trade unions.

David Thorburn added: "Many thousands of people are employed in financial services across Scotland in a wide variety of roles. The public might imagine that these are mundane jobs, but the new re:Think website shatters that view. It makes clear that there are great opportunities for people who are thinking about their career choices and provides a single source of help and advice."

Providing one clear focal point for financial services skills in Scotland, the FSSG aims to take the country's talent in that industry to world class levels by directly matching skills provision to the needs and priorities of the sector.

To view the site visit www.sds.co.uk/rethink