Caithness.org News Bulletins

INTRODUCTION
The number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland rose from 1,080 last month to 1,127. 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) 8.9% (8.4%), 7.3% (7.0%) and 3.4% (3.4%).

SKILLSEEKERS
334 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 306 of whom are employed status trainees. 18 VQs were achieved, including Mixed Farming Level III qualifications for Calum Mackay, Watten and Graeme Gunn, Lairg

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
238 Modern Apprentices are currently in training. 11 Modern Apprenticeships were completed within 4 different sectors, including engineering and construction.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 36 participants on Training For Work. 5 VQs were achieved, including 2 European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualifications.

NEW DEAL
35 participants started on Gateway, while a further 38 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
There were 7 approvals, including assistance for Thurso High School, Farr High School and The North Highland College with their work experience projects.

TOURISM TRAINING
Four seminars were delivered, including an event on The Green Business Tourism Scheme, which was held at Carbisdale Castle.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
There were 8 approvals, including assistance for Christine Mackay from Thurso which will enable her to undertake an 'A+ Certified PC Engineer' course.

ADULT GUIDANCE
18 people used this service.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
William Ronaldson & Son, Wick were awarded £7,700 towards the purchase of a tracked off-road vehicle for use on their off-road circuit, while North Coast Marine Adventures, John O’Groats were awarded £300 towards the upgrading of their booking office

HIE STARTS
There were 5 approvals, including assistance for Robert Don, Castletown towards the cost of setting up The Write Place, a health and safety documentation advisory service.

Also assisted were: Alistair McDonald, Wick, towards setting up a watercolour painting business; Sarah Egan, Melvich for an arts and heritage project development consultancy business; Edith Vass, Bonar Bridge to establish Transcot Travel Ltd, a coach tours company; and Isobel MacPhail, Assynt towards setting up a consultancy business.

H&I PROCESSING MARKETING GRANT
Scotch Premier Meat Ltd, Dornoch were awarded £29,357 towards a range of marketing, promotional, merchandising and branding initiatives for their ‘Highland Lamb’ product.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Two companies received assistance which enabled them to promote their products to a wider audience. A & D Sutherland, Spittal were assisted with the cost of promoting their products at the Natural Stone Show in London, while Visionries Ltd, Thurso, who produce a range of educational products, received assistance to attend the Bologna International Book Show.

The remaining approvals were for Caithness Slate Products Ltd, Halkirk for a business consultant, and Brora Boatyard Ltd, towards seeking patent advice.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
A R Williams from the Regency Jewellers, Thurso was awarded £202.50 towards attaining a Professional Jewellers Diploma, while Huntring Ltd, Dornoch were awarded £100 towards the cost of staff attending a first aid training course.

FOOT AND MOUTH
The Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, Kirriemuir were commissioned to undertake a feasibility study into worm farming in Caithness and Sutherland.

The Scottish Agricultural College have received approval of funding for two projects in Caithness and Sutherland. They are to receive £7,000 towards the cost of undertaking a farm business appraisal study, and £3,000 towards the establishment of a livestock marketing group.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Crossroads Care, Golspie were awarded £9,568 towards the Sutherland Young Carers Project.

Stephen Graham Projects, Inverness were commissioned to undertake a study into the current and potential demands on accommodation provision in the area as a result of the decommissioning programme at UKAEA Dounreay.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMME
Broch Information Services, Halkirk were awarded £850 towards the purchase of leading edge software development products and related support tools, while Sutherland Estates, Golspie were awarded £200 towards staff training in website maintenance.

HIE ACTIVITY
William Ronaldson & Son, Wick were awarded £6,300 towards the purchase of a tracked vehicle for their off-road circuit.

Community Action Grants
Voluntary Groups East Sutherland will be able to offer an improved service to their member groups thanks to the approval of £3,795 towards the purchase a colour photocopier. The remaining approvals were for: Helmsdale Heritage Society, to enable them to purchase equipment for museum conservation work; Helmsdale Community Council, to help support the costs of a Village Information panel; and, East Sutherland Sea Angling Club to help with the purchase of a new boat engine.

Community Planning
Dunbeath Preservation Trust are to receive up to £21,200 to assist with the costs of a three-year Museum Curator development project, which will include the appointment of a trainee Curator. It is hoped the post-holder will eventually deliver a wider curatorial resource for other museums the Caithness area.

The following are funds approved during the month ending 28th February 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 converting to full-time employment.

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 been reported to us as having gone on to employment/further education this month.