ENGINEERING specialist Process Safety Solutions (PSS) has announced plans to create up to 40 jobs by the summer of 2017.

The pledge was made by Aberdeen-based the oil and has services firm as Scottish finance minister John Swinney opened its new offices at Wick Business Park.

Five staff have already moved to the Wick premises, with PSS confirming that a further five will join in the next six months. PSS ultimately aims to hire between 30 and 40 staff at Wick in the next two years as it looks to use the new base to move into the renewables sector.

Highlands and Islands Enterprises (HIE) supported the development of the new office with a £194,000 grant.

PSS also announced a partnership with software firm Siemens and an apprenticeship programme with North Highland College UHI yesterday.