Caithness.org News Bulletins 2002

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INTRODUCTION
The number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 826 last month to 800. The revised unemployment rates in the Sutherland, Wick and Thurso ‘Travel to Work Areas’ respectively are as follows (corresponding figures for last month are shown in brackets) 5.7% (6.0%), 5.6% (5.4%) and 2.6% (2.8%).

SKILLSEEKERS
272 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 259 of whom are employed status trainees. The 4 vocational qualifications achieved included an Engineering Maintenance Level III for Alexander Crowe from Castletown and a Mixed Farming Level III for Gavin Robertson from Barrock.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
211 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, including 1 new start.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 38 participants on Training For Work. There was 1 positive outcome, with Cynthia Cookson from Dornoch going into employment following her time on the programme.

NEW DEAL
19 participants started on Gateway, while a further 54 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The 3 approvals for assistance with the cost of undertaking training courses were for: Robert Davies, Wick - Basic Offshore Survival; Penelope Paton, Dornoch - Comprehensive Dog Grooming; and Susan Garner, Embo - Writing For Television.

TRAINING OF TRAINERS
A total of 5 businesses were assisted with the cost of staff attaining D32 training assessor awards.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
The Holborn Hotel in Thurso, and the Ben Bhraggie Hotel in Golspie were both awarded assistance which will enable them to upgrade the facilities they can offer, while G&R Sutherland Ltd, Brora, are to be assisted with the cost of expanding their workshop.

The remaining approvals were for Knight & Macdonald Architects, Thurso, towards the purchase of specialist equipment and undertaking training in Autocad, and Arthur Templeton & Denholm Fishselling Co, Lochinver, towards the upgrading of boat safety.

HIE STARTS
Assistance was approved for a total of 5 new business starts, which include: Alan Gordon, Lairg towards starting a web-design business; Doreen Macleod, Dunbeath, towards starting a florist business; and Richard Gordon, Golspie towards starting an engineering business. Also assisted were Michael Ellis and William Letters, both from Rogart, towards starting dry stone dyking and fencing businesses respectively.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
G & R Sutherland, Brora were awarded assistance towards the cost of creating a business plan.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
The 4 approvals were for: Duncan Wemyss, Ardgay towards a tower crane course; Victoria Garage, Brora towards recovery vehicle courses; Ian Chambers, Golspie towards a computer accounts course; and, Loch Duart Ltd, Scourie towards environmental and husbandry courses.

RURAL PETROL STATION SCHEME
A & E Bamber were awarded a grant of £11,422 towards the installation of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) facilities at the Bridgend Filling Station in Thurso.

HIE STANDARDS
The Holborn Hotel, Thurso were awarded assistance of £10,700 towards the cost of upgrading their facilities.

Sports & Arts Grants
Groups who received approvals of assistance were: Sutherland Sports Council, to assist their “excellence in sports” award scheme; Lochinver Hall Committee, to assist with the staging of two concerts; and, Durness Development Group, towards the cost of the staging the recent, and very successful, Cape Wrath Challenge.

Community INVESTMENT Grants
Durness Motor Club, received approval of up to £1,000 towards the cost of developing workshop space for it's young peoples group, while Durness Development Group, are to be assisted with the employing a supervisor for their Youth Group. Also assisted were the North & West Sutherland Advice and Information Service, towards the development of new premises in Kinlochbervie (matched by CED funds), and Staxigoe Hall Committee, towards the upgrading of the village hall.

Tourism Infrastructure
The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, received approval towards the cost of the production of a promotional leaflet for the opening of the Castle to the public, while the Highland Council are to be assisted with the costs of the Highland Biodiversity project.

Community Planning
Tongue & Farr Sports Association, are to be assisted with the cost of their project to use an innovative woodfuel heating system at Bettyhill Swimming pool, and Dounreay Sports & Social Club are to be assisted with the cost of undertaking a future planning study for the Viewfirth property in Thurso.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Durness Development Group, are to receive up to £2,990 towards the cost of undertaking a local interpretation & marketing project, while North Sutherland Community Forestry Trust, are to receive up to £3,100 towards a berry-growing trial in Borgie Forest. Also approved was assistance for Caithness Citizens’ Advice Bureau, to assist with the development of a welfare rights officer post, and N&W Sutherland Advice and Information Service, to assist with development of new premises in Kinlochbervie (matched by CASE funds).

GAELIC DEVELOPMENT
Lochinver Junior Choir, are to receive up to £2,255 to assist with the cost of participating at the 2002 National Mod in Largs.

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
Caithness Glass, Wick and TREATS Out of School Club, Thurso were both recognised as Investors in People, while Le Bistro, also in Thurso, has been re-recognised.

The following are funds approved during the month ending 31st July 2002. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments. While finance may be approved, for a business investment for example, it does not guarantee that the developments will go ahead. The approval simply shows that CASE funds have been made available, but they will not be released until evidence is received that the project or activity has gone ahead.