FAIR WORK COMMENT

Rebecca Silva WILD SCOTLAND

The wildlife and outdoor activity sector in the Highlands and Islands is characterised by a large number of owner-operators and freelance guides, and we need to consider carefully how the fair work agenda is implemented to ensure that it is fully relevant to these individuals.

“If you run a wildlife tour business on your own, what does fair work look like to you? And equally how do you ensure that you are applying the principles of fair work to any freelance guides that you may use?”

These are not straightforward questions, and I think we need to take time to interrogate them as an industry. If we’re going to fully realise the massive growth opportunity that exists within the wildlife and activity sector – then obviously we need to have the guides, and to have the guides, we need people of all ages to see this opportunity as a worthwhile career.

As a starting point, I think we need more advice and support for individual operators on how to focus on ‘self’ within the fair work agenda. Indeed, mental health would be top of my list for the fair work agenda in the wildlife and activity sector, and that applies to how operators support freelance guides too.

Furthermore, if we want freelance guides, and indeed any employees in the sector to care for customers and care about the environment and communities too, then we do need to provide them with the support and guidance to be able to do that. A major part of that for most people will be knowing that their voice is being heard and that they are given an opportunity to input into the services that they are delivering.

Beyond these two points, we must ensure there is a renewed focus on training and qualifications. It’s absolutely essential within our sector that freelance guides are given opportunities to keep their qualifications and training up to date and encouraged and enabled to expand their skills through programmes of continuous personal development in the same way that employees are.

Of course, it is not just about wildlife or activity guides, there are many other jobs and opportunities too, and we need to ensure that by embedding the principles of fair work, we amplify the message that this sector offers fantastic career opportunities in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.