Date Created: 24 November 2011
The freedom of working from home has real attraction for people involved in delivering business services – especially in Scotland’s rural areas.
Over the past 20 years, the contact centre sector has built up a successful track record in the Highlands and Islands.
There are now 30 contact centres across the north of Scotland, supporting around 3,400 jobs.
The region is now at the forefront of flexible, cost-effective and sustainable methods of teleworking, with companies like BT and Vertex already active and others, including Arise UK, currently recruiting.
Assistance available from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) can go beyond conventional incentives such as providing property, financial and workforce development for businesses locating in the area.
The success for both employer and employee has led to HIE actively promoting the benefits of the flexible working model to key clients looking to invest in the area.
Joyce MacLennan, HIE's Head of Financial and Business Service, said:
"Working from home is a model which is likely to offer considerable opportunities to people across the Highlands and Islands.
"There are benefits to the employer, in terms of reduced costs and carbon emissions, and it provides exciting prospects for workers, particularly in remote areas."
Homeworking can introduce career opportunities in rural communities, including new options for people who might find it difficult to attend a traditional workplace for reasons such as disability, caring responsibilities and access to transport.
Ron Turner, who work from home on the Isle of Bute, added:
"I can’t stress enough how strong an opportunity this is for people who want to work in rural areas or who have other commitments.
"People looking for flexible work, those with young families, or even just people who live in an area with few opportunities, can find home working an excellent solution."
Find out more about the potential of homeworking for employees and employers at the HIE website