Global firm launches search for 100 new jobs for the region in Caithness and Sutherland
18th June 2018
Up to 100 new homeworking jobs are set to be created in the Highlands and Islands.
The jobs will be for people with excellent customer care skills looking for the flexibility of working from home.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been working with SYKES, a multinational company that operates a homeworking staffing model in the central belt and is keen to expand this into rural areas.
SYKES comprises a family of global businesses delivering process outsourcing services. It is looking to increase its customer service staff by up to 100, the majority of which will be on permanent contracts and working between 16 and 40 hours a week.
The new SYKES team will be working for a leading technology client. Applicants don't need specialist knowledge, and full training will be provided by telephone and online.
The business is initially focusing its talent search in two areas - Caithness and Sutherland and Argyll and Bute. Recruitment is due to start in July. There will be a drop-in event at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso, on 19 June from 4-8pm, where people can find out more about the new opportunities.
The event will include presentations from SYKES representatives and opportunities to ask questions, as well as videos about the company and details about the positions available.
Roy Kirk, HIE area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, said:
"The customer services sector is important to our region's economy. We have a great opportunity here to collaborate with SYKES and help the company pilot its rural homeworking project, and create job opportunities in Caithness and Sutherland and across the region.
"The homeworking model is sure to appeal to many people in rural areas, especially when training can be provided without them having to travel. This in turn could strengthen resilience in rural communities.
"The drop-in session will help people decide if this is something they’d be interested in. It’s also a good opportunity for us to promote the area as an ideal location for SYKES to expand their Scottish operations. We very much look forward to welcoming people on the day."
Anyone unable to attend in person but who wants to know more can contact june.love@hient.co.uk
Related Businesses
Related Articles
10/12/2025
How Development and Innovation Have Been Supported in the Highlands & Islands Over the Past 60 Years
For 60 years, the Highlands and Islands have been the focus of one of the UK's most distinctive long-term regional development efforts. Since the creation of the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) in 1965—and its evolution into Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 1991.
9/12/2025
Planning consent granted for Inverness Campus
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been granted planning permission in principle to progress the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus. The consent is subject to a Section 75 agreement being finalised between HIE and The Highland Council.9/12/2025
Island Business Resilience Fund expansion
Businesses affected by ferry disruption in Coll, Tiree, the Small Isles, Mull, Iona, Ulva, Barra, Vatersay, Islay and Jura can now access financial support. The £4.4 million Islands Business Resilience Fund (IBRF) is expanding to support more businesses experiencing economic impacts linked to travel issues.8/12/2025
What the NC500 Research Projects Are Designed to Do - and Why They Matter for the Highlands
As the North Coast 500 approaches its tenth anniversary, it has become one of Scotland's most well-known tourism success stories. The 516-mile loop around the far north of the Highlands has been celebrated internationally, marketed as a world-class road trip, and credited with transforming visitor numbers in some of Scotland’s most remote areas.28/11/2025
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy. Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
25/11/2025
Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prize
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.
25/11/2025
The Rural AI Roadshow - How AI can help your rural business thrive
Scotland's enterprise agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise) The Scottish AI Alliance and The Data Lab have joined forces to plan and deliver an inspiring and educational Rural AI Roadshow. There will be three, one day, Rural AI Roadshow conferences taking place across Scotland in January 2026.
25/11/2025
Digital and AI innovation round-up for November
Scotland's digital future is accelerating, with AI and tech innovation transforming businesses. In this blog, HIE's Theresa Swayne shares November insights on funding, leadership, and how organisations can harness technology to stay ahead.
25/11/2025
Reflections from SEWF Rural: global lessons for the Highlands and Islands social impact economy
As we mark 60 years since the region's economic and community development agency was established, it's timely to reflect on the global aspects of our work on shaping rural futures. The recent Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, welcomed changemakers from Australia, Ireland, India, Canada.
19/11/2025
Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide - FREE To Download
Scottish Enterprise's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide provides an overview of more than 150 organisations that support new and growing companies in Scotland. The guide includes incubators, accelerators, specialist industry programmes, co-working spaces and networking organisations.
Our Social Media
