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Case Study

MAXiMAR Skills Evidence Base

A comprehensive assessment of current and future skills needs to support the growth of the marine economy in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, identifying gaps and actions to strengthen regional workforce development.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

This study, on behalf of Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), assessed current and future skills and education needs to support the marine economy in the Highlands and Islands region. This is a broad sector with strong growth potential that comprises aquaculture, maritime, wave and tidal energy, and marine biotechnology. The study also investigated wider impacts for the rest of Scotland.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Identify key drivers in the short, medium and long-term that will have impacts on the sectors
Develop an evidence base of demand for skills within the sectors and the supply of skills to the sectors
Identify the strengths and weaknesses in current skills provision and define potential actions to address gaps
Validate findings with key stakeholders

Identify key drivers in the short, medium and long-term that will have impacts on the sectors
Develop an evidence base of demand for skills within the sectors and the supply of skills to the sectors
Identify the strengths and weaknesses in current skills provision and define potential actions to address gaps
Validate findings with key stakeholders




OUR APPROACH

  1. Identify key drivers in the short, medium and long-term that will have impacts on the sectors
  2. Develop an evidence base of demand for skills within the sectors and the supply of skills to the sectors
  3. Identify the strengths and weaknesses in skills provision
  4. Define potential actions to address gaps in current provisions
  5. Validate the findings with key stakeholders

DELIVERY TEAM

Iain Weir
Senior Consultant
About>
Mark Morrison
Senior Consultant
About>

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

The study identified the following specific challenges:

  • Requirement for an additional 3,000 staff in the next 10-15 years across marine sector industries
  • Skills and training provision that is dominated by short courses and delivery in the Central Belt of Scotland, with insufficient regional capacity to meet current and future needs in the Highlands and Islands
  • Delivering vocational training and continuing professional development to a widely dispersed workforce – particularly to address changing skills needs (e.g. increased automation)
  • Recognition of transferrable skills between marine sector industries
  • Attracting experienced individuals from other sectors and regions

A number of short, medium and long-term actions were identified to address these challenges, specifically:

  • Attracting and retaining young people
  • Attracting experienced workers from other sectors and regions
  • Attracting more women
  • Improving the provision of skills and education, and recognising the geographical challenges

For each of these actions, several specific activities, delivery partners and timescales were proposed. Expected outcomes as a result of these activities were also identified. This also highlighted a key role for the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in connecting different activities.

Iain Weir

Senior Consultant

I’m Iain Weir, formerly Managing Director of Optimat.  I joined Optimat in 1990 and now have over 35 years’ experience of strategy, innovation and economic development consultancy. I am now working part-time as a senior consultant as a stepping stone to retirement in the future.

During my time at Optimat, I’ve worked to support company growth, innovation and economic development across a range of sectors, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.  I’m proud to have had an integral role over that time in developing Optimat into an internationally recognised strategy consultancy.

One of my key areas of expertise is the development of the low carbon economy, a topic of increasing importance for today’s industries.  I think this is a challenging area for industry and the public sector to address as there can be several solutions offered to reduce carbon impacts, often without a strong evidence base to support their use. I enjoy pursuing an evidence-based analyses of these options to provide valuable insights to stakeholders.

Before joining Optimat, I worked in research and development in the electro-optic materials sector, developing and marketing innovative high-tech materials for a range of applications.  This industrial experience has strongly influenced my approach to assisting companies with their innovation activities.

I hold a BSc (1st class Hons) in Chemistry, a PhD in Chemistry, and an MBA.  I think this strong scientific background has enabled me to pursue an evidence-based and analytical approach to consultancy.

Mark Morrison

Senior Consultant

I’m Mark, a Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in life sciences and sustainability, working closely with clients to help them understand new technology and market opportunities as well as workforce skills requirements to enable these to become reality.

I’ve been with Optimat since 2015 and worked with a range of public sector clients to deliver insightful market and sector analyses in subject areas including synthetic biology, chemical manufacturing, carbon capture utilisation and storage, medical devices, decarbonised transport, and renewable energy. I’ve also supported private sector clients to secure grant funding from Scottish, UK and European agencies, and have coordinated a number of European Commission funded projects.

Before joining Optimat I was the CEO of the Institute of Nanotechnology, a not-for-profit organisation that was instrumental in raising the profile and opportunities in nanotechnology for UK and European businesses. This provided me with first-hand experience of engaging and collaborating with a range of stakeholders in private, public and third sector organisations across Europe.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology from the University of Glasgow and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Manchester.