Highlands and Islands Enterprise Graduate Support Programme

That the Parliament congratulates the recent graduates of Highland and Islands (HIE) Enterprise Graduate Support Programme; understands that seven graduates from across the country have been recruited by businesses in Orkney through the HIE-funded and delivered programme; notes that the Graduate Support Programme aims to help companies in the region by offering 12-month, well paid work experience placements in key sectors that span a wide variety of industries; acknowledges that the programme also aims to support organisations to drive innovation and recovery, and provides graduates with what it sees as much-needed experience to advance their careers; congratulates Muhammad Umair, who has joined Ortak Jewellery in Kirkwall and is focusing on growing the company’s marketing and online business profile, Jack Whitwell, who has been recruited as a project officer by The Pier Arts Centre and is helping to launch its Orkney Arts Residency project at Linkshouse in Birsay, Kieran Fowler, who is part of the Westray Development Trust and is helping to develop Westray's Community Garden, Emmy Couper-Young, James Weatherley and Robbie Cant, who have been employed by the Orkney Shellfish Hatchery to continue their undergraduate aquaculture research and to support the commercial work of the Lamb Holm-based business, and Georgie McKechnie, who has been employed by Deerness Distillery as a marketing and business development graduate at the award-winning spirits producer; commends these local Orkney businesses and social enterprises that took up the opportunity to recruit the young, enthusiastic and skilled graduates to support their business growth as well as the personal development of the graduates themselves; believes that the initiative is an excellent example of how to support skilled employment across the isles and encourage more young people to consider a career in these communities; recognises that the graduates are keen to be part of the local community and are, it considers, making a significant contribution to a number of projects that will help the future prosperity of Orkney; thanks the HIE team in Orkney, led by Graeme Harrison, for its work in taking forward this initiative, and wishes all the graduates all the best in their roles and future careers.