Tomasz Bernhard

Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme

Name: Tomasz Bernhard
Age: 26 years old
Born: Opole, south-west Poland
Lived in Scotland: Since Summer, 2005

Tomasz Bernhard wants to stay in Scotland permanently because, thanks to some help from the Fresh Talent initiative, he has found a job he enjoys and a very pleasant place to live, among people he likes.

He first came to Scotland on holiday for three months in 2004 from his native Poland after some of his friends, who were already here, gave him good reports of the country. He enjoyed it so much he was determined to return.

Tomasz went home to complete his MSC in Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Opole in his home town but was back in Scotland in July last year.

"I returned to Scotland because I like the way of life here and I received some help from the Fresh Talent scheme in finding work which is quite difficult in Poland," he said.

"This is a good project which can be very helpful for young people from eastern Europe, for example, who have problems finding a suitable job after obtaining a degree."

Tomasz, who lives in Inverness with his girlfriend Justyna, also from Poland, works as a technical calibrator with LifeScan Scotland Ltd.

The company is part of Johnson & Johnson and is a world leader in the fast growing blood glucose monitoring market, serving diabetes patients across the world.

Founded in 1995, the Inverness facility has enjoyed huge success thanks to the combination of world-class research and development, and over 1500 highly skilled manufacturing employees.

"My job offers career opportunities and I enjoy it very much," said Tomasz.

"But another reason I want to stay here is the people around me:  they are nice people, very friendly and helpful and I am steadily improving my English.
 
"Scotland is also a nice place to live and has a beautiful environment."

Now Tomasz plans to marry Justyna in Poland next year and hopes to return to Scotland to make a permanent home here.

Related links

• Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
• LifeScan Scotland