INTRODUCTION
The number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 1,031 last month to 916. 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) 6.0% (6.9%), 5.4% (6.0%) and 2.8% (3.0%).

SKILLSEEKERS
278 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 264 of whom are employed status trainees. A total of 8 vocational qualifications were achieved, 7 of which were to Level III standard and covered sectors such as farming, engineering and meat processing operations.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
215 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, including 1 new start. Michael Ryan, Thurso and Graeme Doull, Wick both achieved their MA certificates, in electrical installation and meat processing operations respectively.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 45 participants on Training For Work. There were 4 qualifications attained, including an Owner Manager Level III V.Q. for Norman Brooks from Brora, while Jackie Harrison went into employment following her time on the programme.

NEW DEAL
31 participants started on Gateway, while a further 74 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
John Alexander from Thurso is to be assisted with the cost of undertaking training in Portable Appliance Testing, while Wilson Crawford and Raymond MacDonald from Wick are to be assisted with the cost of Basic Offshore Survival training.

TOURISM TRAINING
A 'Focus on Feedback' course was delivered in the Royal Marine Hotel, Brora, with 13 participants from a range of businesses.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Caithness Slate Products were awarded assistance of £206,100 towards the expansion of Calder Quarry, in a development which is expected to create 39 new jobs. This expansion will enable them to produce a range of new products, including polished floor tiles and roof tiles, marketed as 'Calder Stone of Caithness'.

HIE STARTS
There were a total of six approvals, including assistance for David Livingston, Bonar Bridge to start a canoe hire business, while Catherine Macleod from Thrumster is to provide a furniture restoration service.

The remaining approvals were for: Rory Macleod, Helmsdale, for a conservation consultancy business; Wendy Sutherland, Brora, for a fine arts business; Ken McArthur, Thurso, for a graphic design business; and, Alison Holden, Ardgay, who will provide a business support service.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Jasmine Grant, Dunbeath received an Innovation Credit of £250 towards the cost of a fact-finding visit to an agricultural theatre in Wales.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Sutherland Brothers, Wick were awarded £19,750 towards new software and training system, while Key Commercial Services, Bonar Bridge were awarded £250 towards the creation of a new website.

HIE EFFICIENCY
Caithness Slate Products also received HIE Efficiency assistance of £171,800 towards the expansion of Calder quarry and their new product range.

Sports & Arts Grants
Golspie Youth Action are to receive assistance which will enable them to take a group of young people to participate in the finals of a youth competition to be held in Perth, while Golspie Gala Week Committee are to be assisted with the cost of staging a series of drug-awareness events during this years gala.

Community INVESTMENT Grants
Approvals this month included assistance of £9,000 for Caithness Sports Council towards the purchase of a disabled-access minibus for use by local community groups, and £2,505 for Halkirk Highland Games Association towards the purchase of equipment, which included a public address system.

The remaining approvals were for: Caithness Indoor Riding Association, to assist with the costs of upgrading its riding centre at Halkirk; Berriedale & Dunbeath Community Council, towards the cost of creating village floral displays; Castletown Heritage Society, to assist with the costs of publishing a book on the history of Castletown; and, St. John’s Loch Improvement Association, to assist with the costs of establishing an equipment store at the loch.

Community Planning
Pulteneytown Community Association steering group are to receive £530 to assist with the set-up costs of forming a constituted group and undertaking community survey work, while Embo Community Centre Steering Committee are to receive £1,000 towards the cost of a feasibility study into a major upgrade of the community centre facility in Embo.

The remaining approvals were for: Helmsdale Heritage Society, to help employ an independent facilitator for a one-day strategic planning event; the MOBIUS computer recycling group, to assist with year three of their project to encourage the recycling of computers; and, Ormlie Community Association, to assist with the cost of staffing and running their community office.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Ormlie Community Association also received CED funding for their initiative outlined in the Community Planning approvals.

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
Congratulations to The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle and Wick High School, both of whom have been re-recognised as Investors in People. In addition, a series of 'Introduction to NEBSM' workshops were delivered in Thurso.

The following are funds approved during the month ending 30th June 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.

Bonus payments are also paid to the Training Provider for every trainee who goes from the scheme to employment (including self-employment) or further education. The following have gone on to employment/further education this month.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS - Unemployed (75% of the cost of the course)