Fast Track Courses

Orkney Islands Council’s employability team has worked with local businesses and the wider Orkney Employability Partnership to create short, industry-specific courses at UHI Orkney, giving participants the chance to learn the core skills local employers and what they could expect to be tasked with in entry level roles in those fields.

These SWAP (Sector-based Work Academy Programme) courses are funded by the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind funding stream, and places are offered on a no-cost basis to eligible participants.

The first SWAP ‘Fast Track to Hospitality’ was offered in spring of 2024 – ten local people enrolled, with all completing the course and half going on to take up paid work or further education within the end of the year – including Jeepstar Clewitt who went on to join the team at the Kirkwall Community Centre’s St Magnus Café.

Please note that No One Left Behind eligibility criteria applies. Therefore, to register your interest, ask someone you work with such as a job coach, careers advisor or support worker to get in touch with the Council’s Employability Team at employability.support@orkney.gov.uk.