Developing the Young Workforce Orkney

27/08/2026

It’s Thursday, which means it is time for Jobs of the Week!

This week, we have the last chance to apply for several jobs including as a Factory Processor with Cooke Scotland, and an Estates Administrative Assistant with NHS Orkney. The closing date for both positions is this Sunday (30 August 2026). We also have two positions which would suit a recent graduate, the first is a Graduate Environmental Consultant with Xodus Group in Stromness, and the second is with Highlands and Islands Enterprise as a Graduate Development Officer.

For full details of all of the vacancies included this week, visit our website: https://www.dyworkney.co.uk/latest_news/jobs-of-the-week-27-august-2026

When writing a personal statement, think of the job you're applying for as well as the values of the company. Let them know who you are, what you can offer to them, and your career progression goals if you do land the job.

25/08/2026

Are you interested in Hospitality?

Why not go along to UHI Orkney tomorrow (Wednesday 26 August) for their Hospitality Open Evening, giving anyone with an interest in the industry the chance to meet UHI Orkney staff and local hospitality businesses, chat about opportunities and discover the different pathways into hospitality.

Whether you’re interested in working in the industry, from baristas and cocktail making to chefs and kitchen hosts, are a local business looking for staff, want to support and grow Orkney’s hospitality industry, or are considering studying a Hospitality course through UHI Orkney.

It’s a chance to meet people already working in the industry, find out what opportunities are available locally and explore how you could get involved, whether that’s through work, business, supporting the sector or studying.

Everyone is welcome — come along, meet the people, explore the opportunities and discover where Hospitality could take you.

📆Wednesday 26 August 2026
🕕6pm-8pm
🏫UHI Orkney, East Road, Kirkwall

Kirkwall Grammar School, Stromness Academy, KGS Fara, KGS Eynhallow, KGS Copinsay, Westray Junior High School, Sanday JH Community School, Junior High School and Nursery

🍽️ Interested in Hospitality? Come along and find out what’s possible!

We’re opening our doors for a Hospitality Open Evening, giving anyone with an interest in the industry the chance to meet UHI Orkney staff and local hospitality businesses, chat about opportunities and discover the different pathways into hospitality.

Whether you’re interested in working in the industry, from baristas and cocktail making to chefs and kitchen hosts, are a local business looking for staff, want to support and grow Orkney’s hospitality industry, or are considering studying a Hospitality course through UHI Orkney — come along and have a chat!

It’s a chance to meet people already working in the industry, find out what opportunities are available locally and explore how you could get involved, whether that’s through work, business, supporting the sector or studying.

Everyone is welcome — come along, meet the people, explore the opportunities and discover where Hospitality could take you🍸☕👨‍🍳

20/08/2026

There is no Jobs of the Week post to share this week.

If you are looking for a job at the moment, check out the following sites for some local job opportunities:

The Orcadian: https://www.orcadian.co.uk/jobs/
My Job Scotland: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/
Orkney.com: https://www.orkney.com/life/jobs

You can also discover some of the other top job search sites that we recommend, here: https://www.dyworkney.co.uk/employment.html

Jobs of the Week will return on Thursday 27 August.

19/08/2026

Bayview Garage in Kirkwall are looking for a Tyre Fitter to join their team.

This is a physically demanding job in a fast-paced environment. You will be working Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm. Interested candidates must be fit, reliable and hardworking.

If you are interested and would like to find out more, contact Kevin on 07739 116 690.

Bayview Garage

18/08/2026

Xodus Group in Stromness are looking for a Graduate Environmental Consultant to join their Permits and Licensing team in Stromness.

The role offers the chance to support a variety of projects across the UK and internationally, in a range of industries including oil and gas projects, ports and harbours and offshore renewables.

This opportunity would suit a recent graduate, and you will be supported and mentored to develop your career. You will be given structured training on the different industries Xodus wok with, specific environmental technical topics and, project management.

You can read more about the role, and submit your application, here: https://apply.workable.com/xodus-group/j/0F3077CC7A/

You can also contact [email protected] for more information.

**UPDATE: The deadline for applications has been extended to Friday 4 September 2026**.

17/08/2026

If you are considering a new careers, looking to gain new skills or interested in learning more about the Business, Accounting and Tourism courses available at UHI Orkney why not go along to their coffee afternoon this Wednesday (19 August 2026).

The informal event will give you a chance to meet staff ask questions and explore your options - and enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee.

Drop in to the UHI Orkney cafeteria between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday.

UHI Orkney: Business, Tourism & Hospitality Department

☕ BREWING YOUR FUTURE

Thinking about a new career?

Looking to gain new skills?

Curious about Business, Accounting or Tourism courses?

Join us for a free informal coffee afternoon at UHI Orkney.

Chat with lecturers, ask questions, explore your options, and enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee.

No pressure. No commitment. Just a conversation.

Brewing Your Future
Date: Wednesday 19th August 2026
Time: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Location: UHI Orkney, Cafeteria, East Road, Kirkwall

For more information, contact Susan Clouston, Acting Curriculum Leader.

Whether you're looking for a new career, a promotion, or simply want to build your confidence and skills, we'd love to meet you. Your future could start with a simple conversation.

13/08/2026

The DYW Orkney office is closed this week due to annual leave, so there is no Jobs of the Week post to share.

If you are looking for a job at the moment, check out the following sites for some local job opportunities:

The Orcadian: https://www.orcadian.co.uk/jobs/
My Job Scotland: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/
Orkney.com: https://www.orkney.com/life/jobs

You can also discover some of the other top job search sites that we recommend, here: https://www.dyworkney.co.uk/employment.html

Jobs of the Week will return on Thursday 27 August.

10/08/2026

An event to help young people access experiential careers learning has recently been held in Orkney.

At the end of last term, second year pupils at Kirkwall Grammar School took part in ‘Island Legacy’, a choose your own adventure game, where pupils were stranded on a virtual island and, working in teams, had to try and escape, or remain, survive and thrive.

Island Legacy is a partnership initiative between Kirkwall Grammar School, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Orkney and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). It was developed in 2025 as part of a Skills Challenge Pilot for SDS, as a way to offer experiential careers learning to pupils which is practical, work-related and skills focused.

‘Island Legacy’ was delivered over two days in the Pickaquoy Centre, with half the year group coming on each day. Pupils were split into ten teams and competed against one another to gain the most points, aiming to be crowned the winner.

Alongside the game, pupils took part in six experiences which helped them to develop transferrable skills and explore a variety of careers. Each experience had a competitive element and the points gained could be used to buy resources and help their progress in the game.

The experiences pupils took part in were delivered by the Royal Mail, BAM Nuttall, Siemens, the school’s Duke of Edinburgh lead and, Skills Development Scotland.

The experiences delivered included a construction challenge to teach pupils how to solve problems and minimise errors while undertaking a project; a STEM activity to organise the energy technology required to run a farm, keeping running costs within budget; an activity to safely land a drone on the island, identifying a suitable landing spot, communicating with the drone and building a basic signal using an LED circuit and, a shelter building activity which had to protect teams from the elements. Pupils also took part in a scavenger hunt on the journey from school to the Pickaquoy Centre, which helped the teams to build their team-building, problem solving and communication skills.

To help them with their career management skills, Careers Advisers from SDS ran the sixth experience, which used games of Snakes and Ladders and giant Jenga to help the pupils think about their career aspirations and the skills the different experiences they undertook during the event had helped them to develop.

The school’s involvement was led by the Design and Technology Department, with teachers Stuart Woodrow and Rebecca Reid involved in the pilot project last year, and developing the game.

Stuart Woodrow, Principal Teacher of Design and Technology, explains: “Rebecca and I both really enjoyed our involvement with the pilot project last year, and were keen to continue running Island Legacy, making this an annual activity in the school calendar. This year, we have been able to build on the successful pilot, working with DYW Orkney to offer a range of engaging activities which the pupils took part in enthusiastically. We are really pleased with how the pupils worked together, exhibiting the transferrable skills they will need as they move through school and beyond.”

DYW Orkney School Co-ordinator for Kirkwall Grammar School, Leah Rendall, said: “It has been fantastic to work with Kirkwall Grammar School to offer Island Legacy for a second year. All of the employers and partners we worked with took part enthusiastically and developed engaging activities that the pupils enjoyed taking part in, and we’re really grateful to them for their input.

“The whole event was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to develop transferrable skills and explore careers in a fun way, and we hope it helps them as they progress through their education journey.”

07/08/2026

We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the campaign this year and for sharing their career stories. We hope they have been inspirational and reassuring for those who have needed it.