AN INDUSTRY body for energy and engineering businesses in the Highlands and islands has said it plans to expand into Aberdeen this year.
Energy North said having a presence in the Granite City would allow it to address issues raised by members in both the oil and gas and renewables sectors.
The organisation added its main focus this year would be on attracting investment for firms based around the Cromarty Firth, but said it would also support developments across the north in 2012.
Energy North chief executive Ian Couper warned, however, that the economic potential offered by energy projects could be halted if investment in skills development dried up.
He said: “We have seen much talk about the need to address the engineering skills shortage in the north of Scotland, but we have yet to see much in the way of action.
“One of Energy North’s key aims for 2012 is to work with the public and private sector to highlight the opportunities in the energy and engineering sector to young people in the north of Scotland and beyond. This sector could go a long way to addressing the issue of high unemployment among young people.”
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