A NEW £2 million Workforce North Co-Investment Fund has opened for applications yesterday (1 September 2026), providing employers across the Highlands with support to recruit, train and develop the skilled workforce needed to meet future demand.
The Highland Council has contributed an additional £1.2 million to the seed fund - delivered through Workforce North and Skills Development Scotland - to support local businesses.
By bringing together public and private sector investment, the fund will create a transformative opportunity to help businesses build the talent and skills required to support future economic growth and maximise the benefits of an anticipated £100 billion investment across the Highlands and Islands over the next 15 years.
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner, said: “The Highlands are entering a period of significant economic opportunity, with major investment expected in sectors including renewable energy, construction and infrastructure.
“To help our region realise its potential, The Highland Council has committed £1.2 million to the Workforce North Co-Investment Fund, which will play an important role in shaping the long-term socio-economic prosperity of the region by unlocking co-investment between the public and private sectors and supporting employer-led workforce development.
“As lead partner and accountable body, The Highland Council is committed to helping businesses access the skills they need, creating opportunities for local people and ensuring the benefits of future investment are felt across our communities."
Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban, added: “This is an investment in our people, businesses and communities. By helping employers address skills gaps, recruit and retain talent, and create high-quality career opportunities, the fund will create opportunities for people to live, work and study in the Highlands, supporting depopulation and strengthening our communities.
“Initial funding will focus on sectors expected to see significant growth and investment, and I encourage businesses to visit the Workforce North website to find out more about the support available and submit an application.”
The fund is divided into three funding streams:
Grow - Supporting immediate workforce development activity, including training, upskilling, reskilling, workforce pipeline activity and apprenticeship recruitment.
Innovate - Supporting the development and testing of new approaches to workforce and skills challenges.
Accelerate - Supporting successful approaches to expand delivery and maximise benefits across sectors, communities and the wider region.
Initial funding will focus on sectors expected to experience significant growth, including:
- Net Zero and renewable energy.
- Construction and the built environment.
- Digital and data skills.
- STEM-related subjects and career pathways.
Who can apply?
The fund is open to employers operating across the Highlands and Islands, including:
- Micro businesses, Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Supply chain businesses supporting major projects.
- Arm's-length external organisations (ALEOs) and Local authority services.
Funding can be used to:
- Upskill existing employees.
- Reskill workers for new roles and sectors.
- Support people into employment.
- Address skills shortages in priority industries.
- Recruit Modern Apprentices. An Employer Apprenticeship Toolkit is available to support organisations considering an application.
Shape Your Workforce events
Businesses interested in learning more about the fund are encouraged to attend one of the ‘Shape Your Workforce’ employer events taking place across the Highlands this September.
Following a successful event in Fort William last month, engagement sessions will take place in Elgin, Wick and Inverness throughout September. Further opportunities to engage will be announced over the coming months.
Hosted by Workforce North partners, the events will bring together employers and key stakeholders to discuss future workforce needs and share practical approaches to attracting, developing and retaining talent to support regional growth.
View event dates, venues and register here:
Workforce North – Shape Your Workforce – Highland Employer Event Series – 2026
Businesses interested in applying or learning more about the fund can visit the Workforce North website, where full application guidance and details of upcoming Shape Your Workforce events are available.
Find out more and apply at: Workforce North Co-Investment Fund
The Council will also be working with its own contractors to identify opportunities to support the fund, helping to create a sustainable pipeline of investment for skills and training opportunities. This collaborative approach will support workforce development across the Highlands, particularly in key sectors such as construction and engineering.