NHS Highland is celebrating Scottish Careers Week 2025 (10-14 November) by showcasing the diverse and rewarding career pathways available within Scotland's largest health board.
This culminates in a special Careers in NHS Highland event for secondary school pupils on Wednesday 20th November. This event is being delivered in partnership with Highland Council, UHI, Skills Development Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW).
The interactive session, taking place at UHI House in Inverness, is a pilot event designed specifically for S2 and S3 pupils at a crucial stage in their educational journey and aims to attract 19 schools locally to attend. Young people will have the opportunity to explore the wide range of career opportunities available within NHS Highland - from nursing, midwifery, adult social care and allied health professions to healthcare science, pharmacy, doctors and dentists - while receiving guidance to support their subject choices.
As part of Scottish Careers Week, NHS Highland has launched a dedicated online hub featuring upcoming events, career stories from colleagues, and resources to help individuals explore NHS career pathways.
Diverse pathways to healthcare success
The career stories featured throughout the week demonstrate that there is no single route into health and social care, with NHS Highland colleagues sharing journeys that span career changes, vocational qualifications, and progression from entry-level roles to leadership positions.
Chris Sharp's story exemplifies how career transitions can lead to unexpected fulfilment. After over a decade as a chef in Edinburgh, the pandemic opened a new door when Chris volunteered for disease testing. This experience ignited a passion for healthcare that led him to become a Band 4 Medical Assistant Practitioner at Raigmore Hospital, and he is now pursuing a Nursing degree with aspirations to become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. "I found joy in proactively supporting those receiving care at Raigmore and working alongside some of the finest healthcare professionals," said Chris.
Ariane Jamieson's journey highlights how vocational qualifications and hands-on experience can lead to senior positions. After finding traditional academic learning challenging, Ariane flourished when she began working at a local nursing home. Starting as a support worker with NHS Highland and achieving her SVQ Level 2, she has progressed to become a Project Manager for the Adult Social Care leadership team while pursuing her Social Work Degree through distance learning. "I am passionate about my job and take immense pride in the career path that has brought me to this point," said Ariane.
Jennifer Davies, Director of Public Health, brings over 30 years of experience across three nations and multiple sectors. Her journey from dietitian to director demonstrates the breadth of opportunities within public health. "I never had a 'plan' in terms of my career, but what I have always been is curious," said Jennifer. "The Health Board's ambition and commitment to becoming more focused on prevention and population health attracted me to NHS Highland. Scotland has been a leader in acting on health inequalities, and I wanted to come and learn from how things are done here."
Supporting the next generation
On Wednesday 20th November we will be attending UHI House to showcase Careers in NHS Highland, and following on from Scottish Careers Week inspire young people and support workforce development across the region. The interactive session will provide pupils with hands-on insights into various health and social care roles, helping them make informed decisions about their futures.
See more information about the Careers in NHS Highland event and explore career opportunities within NHS Highland.