Recruit Sutherland Returns

25th June 2003

A project offering employers practical help on all aspects of recruitment is being extended. Funding has been secured to allow Recruit Sutherland to continue until December 2004.

The pilot project - which ran for 18 months from April 2001 - has proved so successful that other areas, including Wick, Wester Ross and Skye and Lochalsh, are set to replicate it.

Recruitment counsellor with Recruit Sutherland, Moira Stuart explained: "Recruiting can be a daunting prospect for new employers. Bureaucracy, red tape and complex government schemes are just some of the difficulties facing employers.

"However, Recruit Sutherland is designed to support and encourage employers to add to their workforce with the maximum assistance and the minimum disruption. This free personalised service is an opportunity for businesses to discuss their potential to develop and expand."

The types of assistance and advice employers receive includes guidance on personnel issues, employment contracts, PAYE and health and safety. Employers are also advised on the financial subsidies available when adding to the workforce or taking on a first employee.

Voluntary groups, many of whom already employ people, are also being encouraged to use the services Recruit Sutherland has to offer.

In its pilot phase, Recruit Sutherland helped many employers overcome their apprehensions about taking on staff. Fiona and Robbie MacKay of MacKays Rooms and Restaurant in Durness said the advice they received through Recruit Sutherland was invaluable.

Fiona explained: "We had refurbished our hotel to a very high standard and wanted the service to match the elegant accommodation. We quickly realised that we would need more staff so turned to Recruit Sutherland for help.

"Moira advised us on issues such as payroll, health and safety and contractual law and made us realise that these things can be dealt with quite easily."

Recruit Sutherland is a multi agency project supported by The Highland Council; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise; Federation of Small Businesses; Inland Revenue; Royal Bank of Scotland; Jobcentre Plus; Tulloch Plc and is part funded by the European Social Fund.

For more information contact Moira Stuart on free phone 0800 0858560.