Opportunities

“Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, HIE Innse Gall and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are firmly of the opinion that there is currently a window of opportunity for radical action and investment in key areas of the Western Isles. For too long the Western Isles have been seen in terms only of problems. We acknowledge that there are problems, especially economic. Action is needed to secure the viability of our communities that would resolve some of the problems and simultaneously bring about solutions at a local, regional, national and world level.”

This is an extract from a document WIE has produced in partnership, which sets out a vision for a economically and socially sustainable Western Isles - 'Creating Communities of the Future'.

This vision is based on six inter-related ‘drivers’ which, with the right level of political support and commitment, would secure private investment leading to a cascade of related development

 Renewable Energy Innovation, especially the development of a sub-sea cable for exporting energy generated from renewable sources
 Broadband Capacity for the Islands
 Promotion and Development of Culture and Heritage, particularly Gaelic
 Enhanced Business Support and Infrastructure
 University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Millennium Institute
 Jobs Dispersal

WIE has mirrored these drivers in its own business planning process under the themes of job creation and business growth, knowledge industries, and cultural development.

Opportunities for job creation and business growth focus on: public sector job dispersal building on high educational achievement rates and a well-developed skills register; the primary sector building on high quality natural capital and adding value; renewable energy; tourism building on the area’s strong competitive advantages in regard to environment, language and culture; manufacturing.

Opportunities to be realised within the knowledge industries include: ensuring competitive IT infrastructure, in particular broadband; maximising the UHI (University of the Highlands and Islands; and prospects to undertake and building on research and development.

As a strong indigenous characteristic of the Western Isles it’s culture offers opportunities. Gaelic broadcasting and other media activities, and language revitalisation and scope for developing new economic activity centring on language, culture and heritage.

The high incidence of public sector employment does offers an established skills base in our bid to promote jobs dispersal and attract inward investment. This bid to bring further employment into the area is complimented by WIE’s ongoing programme of high specification property developments and the provision of world class communication technology links through broadband etc.

The high incidence of public sector employment does offers an established skills base in our bid to promote jobs dispersal and attract inward investment. This bid to bring further employment into the area is complimented by WIE’s ongoing programme of high specification property developments and the provision of world class communication technology links through broadband etc.