6 / TalentScotland
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Thriving sectors in energy, renewables, financial services, software and life sciences provide exciting opportunities for skilled professionals from across the world
Focus a career in Scotland
WHEN it comes to employment and developing your career, Scotland is a land of opportunity. That’s especially true if you are a skilled professional with experience in engineering, life sciences, financial services, software and games. In recent years, Scotland has
experienced rapid growth across several sectors. This vibrant business scene draws talented people to Scotland’s shores, as well as attracting international companies who are keen to take advantage of some of the world-leading work being carried out in the country. Among other things, the Ernst &
Young UK Attractiveness Survey revealed Scotland as the top region for inward investment jobs in three of the last five years – and UK Trade and Investment showed that foreign direct investment projects in Scotland increased by 16 per cent during 2012-13.
Engineering Scotland has offered world-leading careers in engineering for many, many years. The country’s reputation was built on pioneering skills in shipbuilding and heavy industry, but these days the openings lie in sectors such as oil and gas, renewable energy and electronics. The North Sea has been the focus
of Scotland’s oil and gas industry since the late 1960s, and reserves are still discovered as major international oil and gas companies explore deeper and further afield. This has created a highly developed supply chain employing about 150,000 people and the new technology and expertise being developed – particularly in subsea engineering, down-hole technology and education
and training – serves markets across the world. As a result, there is huge demand for engineers, as well as people with oil and gas industry experience. That will continue as investment in the North Sea reaches its highest level for 30 years and is predicted to rise even further. Similar levels of growth are predicted
in Scotland’s renewable energy industry. Already employing more than 1,000 people, it’s been estimated by the Scottish Government that the sector will be employing 40,000 people by 2020. This rise has its roots in Scotland, establishing itself as one of the best places in the world to develop renewable energy technology. Among other developments, the world’s biggest wave
Above: North Sea oil and gas is booming. Above right: The world’s first bionic hand was developed in Scotland by TouchBionics Below right: Grand Theft Auto continues to be an international best seller
power farm will be built off the coast of Orkney.
This type of activity has led
international engineering giants such as Mitsubishi Power Systems, Samsung Heavy Industries and Gamesa to establish research and development bases in the country to develop renewable technologies.
Financial services Scotland’s financial services sector is internationally recognised as the most important UK financial centre outside London and a major European player. With a significant presence in both
Edinburgh and Glasgow, the industry’s key strengths lie in banking, insurance and pensions, investment management and asset servicing. Many multinational companies, such as JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Barclays, have not only based their European operations in Scotland but have also established significant global technology centres in the country. Newer institutions such as Tesco Bank and the UK’s Green Investment Bank have chosen to base significant parts of their operations in Scotland. Alongside the country’s own financial
services organisations, these newer institutions continue to provide a wealth of opportunities, including openings for talented software professionals to develop bespoke financial processing and trading systems.
Software and games The software and games sector in Scotland is part of an technology industry that has seen rapid growth in recent times. The country is home to the
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