From digital technology and manufacturing to tourism and the space industry, Moray boasts a lively and active business community with opportunities to embark on new enterprises and carve out long-term rewarding careers.
An area committed to developing its workforce, residents in Moray can work across a variety of exciting industries: from food and drink, including leading whisky brands, through to the emerging life sciences and digital healthcare sectors.
Moray offers the perfect backdrop for day-to-day life – whether it’s the incredible views you see on your way to work, the companies you can call upon to fulfil your business needs, or the region’s vast education and housing opportunities.
Manufacturing, which includes the food and drink industry, remains the largest employer in Moray, providing almost 7,000 jobs in the region. Wholesale and retail trade is the second largest sector in Moray, accounting for over 6,500. Another key industry is aerospace and defence – Moray is home to RAF Lossiemouth, one of the largest and busiest multi aircraft-type stations in the Royal Air Force, and Kinloss Barracks, the base for the army’s 39 Royal Engineers (Air Support).
In April 2018, the UK Government announced major investment in RAF Lossiemouth with the introduction of new aircraft to strengthen the defence of the UK and its allies. Over 10 years, around £3bn in Ministry of Defence investment in the region will increase Moray’s population by up to 4,000 people, including an additional 550 service personnel to bring the total number employed at RAF Lossiemouth to over 2,200.
Moray’s economy is founded primarily in manufacturing, with a focus on the food and drink, agriculture and tourism sectors. The presence of two large defence establishments at RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks also creates employment opportunities for the area.
This combination means there is an incredibly diverse range of specialisms for residents to make their mark in. Add to that a growing population, high level of employment and several expanding industry sectors, and you’ll see just how much Moray has to offer.
For the latest job opportunities from Moray employers, take a look at:
To find out more about working in Moray, visit:
“ For Johnstons of Elgin, the place that we do business is at the core of our brand. We are very lucky to be in Moray, where our people are highly skilled, engaged with learning and development, understand quality and are committed to the company.”
Chris Gaffney, Chief Executive, Johnstons of Elgin
“We came to Moray because the friendly community here welcomes people from all over the world. The supportive business environment means we can find the training we need locally. We plan to scale-up over the next few years, so a skilled workforce is crucial.”
full-time equivalent jobs in Tourism, including accommodation and food services. Moray’s sixth largest sector.
creative and digital businesses, from arts-based organisations to a growing tech cluster in Elgin and Forres.
health sector employees in Moray – 14% of total employment
With around 300 new businesses starting in Moray each year, it’s the perfect place to bring your business vision to life.
With a well-educated workforce, organisations in Moray benefit from low staff turnover and high retention rates.
Moray was also recently found to be a hotspot for female entrepreneurs, with more than one in 10 (10.5%) working-age females in Moray who are self-employed; a higher share than any other mainland Scottish local authority area. Anybody looking to start their own business in Moray can find support at Business Gateway Moray.
To find out more about businesses in Moray, visit:
people are currently employed in engineering disciplines (excluding the RAF) including manufacturing, construction and utilities
of Moray’s workforce work in food and drink manufacturing, compared to the Scottish average of 1.7%
of Moray’s workforce is in manufacturing, compared to the Scottish average of 7.4%
of Moray’s workforce is employed within the tourism industry
If you would like to hear more about training, education or employment opportunities in Moray, contact Skills Development Scotland for tailored advice.
To move the region into one of the top-performing parts of Scotland for economic performance, the public, private and third sectors in Moray are all working towards delivering a 10-year economic strategy for the region. To read the strategy in full, click here.
