A wave of renewable energy, infrastructure and engineering investment across the Scottish Highlands and Islands is driving demand for construction and engineering workers, with employers increasingly recruiting from outside the region to fill roles.
According to the Inverness team at C&P Recruitment, a specialist recruitment agency for the built environment, the pipeline of work is among the strongest it has seen, with vacancy levels well above those of a few years ago. Demand is strongest for site engineers, civil engineers, site agents and construction and project managers, alongside skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers and joiners.
What is driving demand
The recruitment activity is being fuelled by investment across the north of Scotland, including the new Nairn Academy, HMP Highland, the Kishorn Port dry dock and a series of substation, transmission and offshore wind projects.
A 2025 report commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership estimated that renewable energy, infrastructure and engineering projects across the region could attract more than £100 billion of investment over the next 15 years, with further work planned across ports, transport infrastructure and education facilities.
Employers widen their search
With many large-scale projects located in remote and island communities, local labour markets are often unable to meet demand on their own. C&P Recruitment said it is now drawing candidates from the Central Belt, Aberdeen, northern England and Ireland, including professionals with experience on rail, bridge, infrastructure and engineering schemes.
Some employers are offering enhanced packages, including accommodation, meals and travel allowances, to attract workers to rural locations and support long-term project delivery. Similar demand for skilled labour has accompanied other large energy projects in Scotland.
Adam Crawford, a recruitment consultant at C&P Recruitment, said the region was becoming one of the busiest places in the UK to build a career in construction and civil engineering. “The scale and variety of projects underway is creating opportunities across the sector, from renewable energy and infrastructure to transport and engineering works,” he said.
“We’re seeing employers widen their search for talent as demand continues to grow. In some cases, accommodation, meals and travel are now being offered as standard on major rural projects to help attract skilled workers.”
With investment continuing across renewable energy, transport and infrastructure, C&P Recruitment expects the Highlands and Islands to remain one of Scotland’s busiest construction and engineering markets for years to come.
Frequently asked questions
What is driving construction recruitment in the Highlands?
A pipeline of renewable energy, infrastructure and engineering projects across the Highlands and Islands, including offshore wind, substation and transmission works and major public buildings, is increasing demand for construction and engineering workers.
Which roles are most in demand?
Recruiters report strong demand for site engineers, civil engineers, site agents and construction and project managers, as well as skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers and joiners, and groundworkers and drainage specialists.
How much investment is expected in the region?
A 2025 report commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise estimated that renewable energy, infrastructure and engineering projects could attract more than £100 billion of investment across the region over the next 15 years.
