A new homeworking project in Scotland aims to create jobs and reduce reliance on limited public transport in the rural seaboard communities of Easter Ross.

Representatives for international customer management outsourcing business Vertex say they particularly want to open up opportunities and offer flexibility to individuals not normally able to attend traditional workplaces for reasons such as disability, home-caring responsibilities or lack of access to transport.

The company, which has contact centres in Ross-shire and Moray, is piloting the homeworking initiative as a means of further expanding a business which has more than doubled in staff over the past three years.

Alison Wilson from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which is helping to fund the project, points out that the homeworking initiative will involve the recruitment of new employees, rather than transferring experienced staff already working in the important sector.

"If the concept can be proved it will provide the company with an alternative recruitment strategy and enable access to a whole new pool of potential employees," she continues.

Other benefits identified by those responsible for the pilot include reduced energy use and costs, improved work-life balance for those working from home and a reduction in employees' stress levels.