History repeats for firm's new recruits
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Two workers who started a new job on the same day have found history repeating itself, more than 17 years later.
Lill Thomson from the Black Isle had been working in a kilt maker’s before moving to Inverness diagnostic systems maker LifeScan, while Malcolm Herron, from Inverness, had been a bookshop manager.
Both became document technicians at LifeScan, but looked set to lose their jobs when the firm announced plans to make around 50 of the 1000 staff at its Inshes facility redundant.
However, both Lill and Malcolm were able to remain in employment, and in their familiar roles, thanks to fellow Inverness life sciences business ODx, based at nearby Inverness Campus.
ODx had recently announced 60 vacancies for skilled staff to support its work in developing a test to help detect antibiotic sensitivity in the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections and other health issues and offered a guaranteed interview to any LifeScan employees who felt their jobs were at risk.
Lill and Malcolm were among seven LifeScan staff who were hired by ODx and, although they were hired entirely separately, they once again found themselves beginning a new job on the same day.
Mr Herron said: “The research and development happening at ODx has the potential to make a difference on a global scale and it’s exciting to have been given the opportunity to contribute.
“It is great for Inverness and the wider region and shows confidence in the area.
“All of us at ODx are committed to achieving the same goal, so it has been easy to settle in.”
ODx chief executive Giles Hamilton said: “There is an enormous amount of talent in the Highlands and that was one of the main reasons we picked Inverness for our headquarters.
“When we announced the creation of 60 new positions in July we were confident we would get the calibre of candidate we required, and that has proven to be the case.
“It is important not just for ODx but for the wider local economy that skilful people remain in the area and so we are proud to support that.”
