The Scottish Borders has a population of around 112,700.

The make-up of employment in the region has evolved from agriculture, fishing and textiles into industries such as electronics, engineering, tourism, food and drink, chemicals and plastic. The region is a world leader in the design and production of high quality cashmere.

The workforce is highly-skilled and adaptable. Workforce loyalty and retention rates are among the best in the country.

Mobility is also excellent. The high proportion of car-owning households and easy commuting mean that many people are prepared to travel some distance to their place of work, enlarging the pool of potential recruits.