Immigration is changing the face of Perth and Kinross for the better, according to one of the region’s leading charities.
For years Scotland’s growing migrant workforce has made a vital contribution to many communities, undertaking a range of tough and poorly-paid jobs, many of which locals have proved unwilling to take.
As the population has become increasingly diverse, however, the roles available and skill-sets offered by workers from overseas have increased.
Perth-based charity PKAVS has seen major employers and organisers change their attitudes to the overseas workforce and believes this shows that other nationalities are increasingly becoming part of the area’s fabric.
Later this month the PKAVS Services for Minority Communities (MEAD) project will stage a Future Prospects event to showcase job and learning opportunities.
“The population in Perth and Kinross is changing demographically and has been now for a number of years,” said the charity’s Kerrigan Bell.
“That can only be good for the diversity, culture and the social make-up of the area and increasingly is bringing valuable skills to the region.
“Perth and Kinross still welcomes a large number of seasonal migrant workers each year into industries such as agriculture.
“More than that, however, we are seeing migrants playing key roles within sectors like catering, hospitality and the care sector.
“Increasingly, people want to come to Scotland and settle here and many of these migrants have good English and degrees and for them the sky can be the limit when it comes to employment.
“Migrant workers are becoming more accepted in larger organisations. We are seeing a clear change in the types of roles that they can access.”
There has already been a great deal of interest in the Future Prospects event, with a number of leading organisations signed up to participate.
They include Police Scotland, Learning Curve, and the council’s youth services and language base a new service looking to recruit interpreters and translators.
The Ethnic Minority Law Centre will also be offering free workshops on the day and will be on hand to answer questions regarding immigration law and workplace discrimination.
Mohammed Afzal, project manager at PKAVS Services for Minority Communities, said: “We have a wide range of partners working together to provide fantastic support for people from minority communities.
“This event will help people improve their prospects and their ability to contribute to a better Perth and Kinross.”
The event is between 10.30am and 1pm at the North Inch Community Campus in Perth on Saturday September 20.