‘Encouraging response’ to rotational shift ferry job adverts

A NEW two weeks on, two weeks off rotation for Shetland Islands Council’s internal ferries is attracting interest from prospective employees.

A recruitment drive, which closed for applications last week, offered master, engineer and mate roles on ferries.

The two weeks on, two weeks off rotation comes amid a wider suite of plans try to improve ferry staff recruitment and retention.

The posts were also based on “any Shetland Islands Council ferry”.

A review into resilience was recently carried out by council officials following repeated disruption to services, particularly in the North Isles – with a lack of available staff often causing issues.

A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said: “In an effort to attract more staff to the service, we are exploring shift systems which are commonly used in the wider marine industry.

“We’re pleased with the responses to our recent job adverts in our ferries service.

“We would encourage anyone interested in work in this area to keep up with marine and other council vacancies on the MyJobScotland jobs portal.”

Chair of the SIC’s environment and transport committee Moraig Lyall also welcomed the “encouraging response to recent advertisements”.

A freedom of information request revealed that in the last financial year the SIC spent nearly £640,000 on agency ferry staff to full gaps in the service.

There have also been a number of long-term vacancies in the ferry service.