Workforce North Co-Investment Fund

About the fund

The Workforce North Co-Investment Fund is a partnership between the public and private sectors to help grow the workforce across the Highlands.

The fund includes:

  • £2 million from Skills Development Scotland
  • £1.2 million from The Highland Council

This is an investment in our people, businesses and communities and works with employers to:

  • address skills gaps
  • recruit and retain talent
  • create high-quality career opportunities

The fund will support sustainable economic growth and ensure the Highland region is well placed to benefit from the opportunities ahead.

Funding streams

The fund is divided into three funding streams.

  • Grow - supporting immediate workforce development activity, including:
    • training
    • upskilling
    • reskilling
    • workforce pipeline activity
    • apprenticeship recruitment
  • Innovate - supporting the development and testing of new approaches to workforce and skills challenges
  • Accelerate - supporting successful or proven approaches to expand and deliver wider benefits across:
    • sectors
    • communities
    • the Highland region

Priority sectors

Initial funding will focus on sectors expected to see significant growth and investment, including:

  • Net Zero and renewable energy
  • Construction and the built environment
  • Digital and data skills
  • STEM-related subjects and career pathways

Page last modified: 1 September 2026