The family owned construction and manufacturing firm, based in Lochgilphead, said shortages were evident in a number of areas including bricklayers and joiners.

Jane MacLeod, company secretary, highlighted the issue as the firm reported a rise in profit and turnover.

She pointed out the business, which employs more than 220 of its own staff along with several sub-contractors, has sometimes had people from Fort William coming to work on its projects around the west coast and the islands.

She told The Herald: “We are talking a lot with Argyll & Bute Council, Skills Development Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise about depopulation and skills shortages.

“We are seeing signs of skills shortages and a need to attract and retain young people to Argyll and Bute.

“We have got to keep our people in work it has now got to the stage we need more people. We have got joiners coming from Fort William at the moment but we would love to see them coming from the Central Belt and setting up home here too.”

Ms MacLeod said a number of organisations are trying to change perceptions of apprenticeships.

She said: “We want to encourage schools and parents to look at modern apprenticeships as being an excellent form of education, some of them are degree equivalent.

“We have more than 20 apprentices and graduate trainees so 10 per cent of our workforce are in training.”

Asked if bringing through enough of its own staff was a key part of securing the future of the business she said: “Yes, absolutely.”

Accounts recently filed at Companies House show M&K, set up by twin brothers Murdo and Kenny MacLeod in 1975, reported a more than seven per cent rise in turnover from £17.26 million to £18.53m in the 12 months to May 31.

The growth in revenue was put down to new housing association contracts, delayed work from the prior year coming through and a small increase in private house sales. That helped pre-tax profits increase almost 14 per cent from £709,744 to £807,262.

Ms MacLeod said it was a pleasing overall performance as the business had to deal with a number of planning and legal delays during the year.

Along with housebuilding, quarrying and construction M&K manufactures products such as conservatories, doors and windows, as well as providing plumbing and electrical maintenance services.

The company also owns a shop and petrol station in Lochgilphead.

Ms MacLeod said an extension of the Help to Buy scheme would be welcomed as M&K had seen house purchasers using it in areas such as Oban and Campbeltown.

She said those two towns, along with the island of Islay, are among the most buoyant across Argyll and the islands.

She said: “It is interesting in the terms of Argyll and Bute as a whole as the population is dropping but there are pockets where there is growth and strong signs of growth.”

Ms MacLeod confirmed the business is continuing to look to buy land around the regions it operates in.