HIE SURVEY REVEALS YOUNG PEOPLE'S VIEWS OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS

The majority of young people with Highlands and Islands connections have a deep sense of pride and feel secure in the region, according to the first ever detailed survey of opinions on the subject.

But the survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) also shows many of them think they may have to leave to pursue their educational and career ambitions.

Around 3,500 people aged between 15 and 30 were asked for their views to determine what factors influence them to leave, to remain or to come to the region.

HIE's regional competitiveness director Alex Paterson explained: "This is the first time there has been an in-depth examination of the push and pull factors affecting the ambitions of young people. Demographic studies show a high number of people return here when they are proposing to have a family of their own or later in life, but we have, in proportion to the Scottish average, 25 per cent fewer people aged 15 to 30.

"We wanted to get a detailed picture of attitudes to share with partners to help shape the region to be attractive to every age group, particularly one so vital to economic growth."

The survey shows that young people are generally more positive than negative about life in the Highlands and Islands but perceive there to be limited educational or employment opportunities.

Seventy-two percent of those surveyed said they are proud to be associated with the Highlands and Islands regardless of whether they live in the region and 82% feel it is a good place to bring up a family.

The Highlands and Islands more than lives up to the expectations of those returning or coming to live in the region for the first time, with 86% of those surveyed saying that it meets or exceeds all of their expectations, and more than three-quarters saying they intend to stay for at least five years.

Sub-regional differences are also evident, with young people in and around Inverness most positive about economic opportunities while those on the west are more concerned about their prospects. However, the distinct way of life in island and remote mainland areas engenders highly positive perceptions among many of those born and brought up there.

The report indicates that current trends show a net 6.3% loss of 16-20 year olds each year from the region - equivalent to 1,560 people. However, out-migration is counterbalanced, in many areas, by in-migration of people in the 20s, 30s and early 40s.

The picture is not uniform across the region - residents appear to return sooner to the Inner Moray Firth area and Argyll and the Islands, while other areas such as Orkney, the Outer Hebrides, Caithness and Shetland take longer to recover residency figures. However, Orkney and Shetland are perceived most positively for providing good job opportunities while the Outer Hebrides come out top as a good place to be for teenagers. Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross are considered places, above others, where it is alright to be 'different'.

Almost half the total sample said they feel access to education and training opportunities in the region is poor and there is a perception of a lack of well-paid jobs with one respondent claiming: "You shouldn’t have to make sacrifices in your career and earning potential just to be able to live in the place you have grown up and have family."

Housing availability and affordability is a recurring concern across the region and the perception that house prices are lower than elsewhere proves to be outdated with the average price in 2008 in the Highlands and Islands (£147,600) being 95% of the Scottish average.

While key reasons for moving away are linked to educational opportunities and job prospects, many are committed to leaving to gain life experience.

The report cites three suggested areas that could be strengthened to attract those who are more undecided about their future;

These include:

* Education - raising the emphasis of current further and higher education provision and developing the potential of the UHI Millennium Institute for students in and from outside the region;

* Employment - improving perception of local employment; promoting other routes such as self-employment and raising awareness of prospects in traditional and emerging sectors;

* Environment - working to improve access to affordable housing, enhancing public transport, and promoting the region's unique culture, natural assets and its city.

The report points to the importance of engaging with young people on these themes at an appropriate time in their lives.

The report's findings were considered by the HIE board this week, and will be discussed with the Scottish Government and other agency, academic and local government partners.

Alex Paterson continued: "It is clear that some of the key factors driving out-migration of young people involve issues that policy-makers can influence - education and training; employment; housing and transport, and this report provides evidence to support decision-making in these areas. The finding that the majority (86%) of school leavers who plan to move to other parts of Scotland intend to do so for higher or further education purposes reinforces the role that our new university will play in population growth.

"It shows that our region has similar challenges to other rural areas but also has a great deal to offer young people, and we need to capitalise on these assets to retain our young people and attract those from other areas seeking new experiences."