Labour market analysis – Uist Repopulation Analysis, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (2022-23)
Hall Aitken analysed the draft Uist Repopulation Action Zone and identified practical actions to help attract and retain people in Uist.
The analysis considered population change, labour supply, housing and island communities, alongside the needs of sectors including aquaculture, construction and tourism.
Approach
- Labour market baseline and context review. Hall Aitken analysed demographic, labour market, housing and migration data to establish the workforce context across Uist.
- Workforce and skills demand analysis. The team used employer and stakeholder interviews to understand recruitment pressures, workforce demand and future skills requirements.
- Labour supply and participation assessment. Survey responses, interviews and community engagement explored workforce availability, retention challenges and barriers to attracting new residents.
- Reflecting the local context. Events were held across five locations, with engagement in English and Gaelic to reflect Uist’s dispersed island population. This helped the team explore how population decline was connected to housing, childcare, ferry connections and services.
- Future workforce and scenario modelling. The team used the evidence to assess how demographic and housing trends could affect future workforce sustainability.
- Strategic workforce recommendations. The findings were brought together in a SWOT analysis and a set of prioritised recommendations to strengthen workforce resilience and support population retention.
Outcomes
The analysis found that housing shortages and other practical constraints were key barriers to workforce participation and growth, rather than a lack of job opportunities. It also showed how population decline was connected to housing, childcare, ferry connections and services.
The study helped prioritise housing investment and informed decisions about further investment.
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