First Minister Alex Salmond joked he could retrain as a welder when he steps down from the top job during a tour of a thriving fabrication yard in the Highlands.
Friday’s visit to Global Energy Group’s Nigg site was one of his last engagements as first minister.
He saw apprentices honing their trade at the firm’s skills academy, including Ryan Copland, one of several trainees from the Wood Group.
Mr Copland, 22, from Mosstodloch, said: “This is as close as you are going to get to the real thing in here, and it is good to be part of it.
“I was in this line of work at a distillery, and will be ready to go and work offshore at the end of January.”
Also being put through their paces were Scott Kingdom, 21, of Tain, and 24-year-old Lucy Jackson, of Brora.
Later in the visit Mr Salmond saw progress on a major extension, including a new pier, which is currently under construction.
He said: “When I came here three years ago, there were two people employed here. When a new rig, which is coming in next week, arrives, there will be 2,000.
“Nigg has been restored as the beating industrial heart of the Highlands, and well done to Roy McGregor and his team, whose vision has made this possible.
“This is going to be the greatest industrial marine construction in Europe, which will take bigger vessels and rigs, and more diverse forms of energy, than any other site on the continent.”
Mr Salmond said the 300 apprentices being trained at the site would help boost the future of the Highlands for years to come.
He added: “In a month’s time I will be looking for a job and might come and get re-trained here as a welder or pipe-fitter, you never know.”