INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 1,035 last month to 971. 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) 7.2% (7.8%), 6.2% (6.7%) and 3.3% (3.4%).

SKILLSEEKERS
399 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 385 of whom are employed status trainees. The 14 vocational qualifications achieved, all of which were at Level III standard, included 8 entitled Installing and Commissioning Electrical Systems.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
337 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, including 11 new starts. A total of 15 candidates achieved their Modern Apprenticeship certificates.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 48 participants on Training For Work. There were a total of 12 qualifications achieved, in addition to 3 Positive Outcomes with trainees going into employment following their period on the programme.

NEW DEAL
15 participants started on Gateway, while a further 5 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The 3 approvals were for: Gordon McNab, Wick, to undertake an Offshore 'New Start' training; Steven Cameron, Thrumster, for ADR training; and, Kelly Innes, Helmsdale, for an Acrylic Nail & Tanning course.

TRAINING DEVELOPMENT
Assistance of £3,000 enabled 5 employees from HIEMATS to undertake Assessor training.

TOURISM TRAINING
Five people from 3 businesses took part in a Tourism Masterclass at Gleneagles.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Intech-Power Ltd, Scrabster, were awarded assistance of £1,000 towards the purchase of computer aided design equipment, while Messrs Smith, Druce and Galway, were awarded assistance of £10,500 towards the establishment of a campsite at Clachtoll, Lochinver. The remaining approvals were for J MacNicol Forest & Estate Ltd, Golspie, towards the purchase of a timber forwarder, and Helen Houston, trading as the Options for Project, Golspie, towards the purchase of specialist IT equipment.

HIE STARTS
Karen Henderson, Dornoch, has started trading as Fotografix Scotland Ltd. The company will trade via the internet to provide an instant download service for a range of Scottish images. Also assisted were Sheila Lorimer, towards a new massage business, and Shona Blance, who will provide a consultancy service on human resource and legal issues.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
Jim Sangster, Halkirk, was awarded assistance of £162.50 to enable him to undertake an OFTEC course, while Gillian MacManus, Wick, was awarded assistance of £255 towards a Remedial & Sports Massage Diploma course.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
William Dunnet & Co, Wick, were awarded assistance of £10,118 towards the cost of upgrading their IT system and purchase of equipment and specialist software. Fotografix Scotland Ltd, Dornoch; RMD, Dornoch; and Denis Mann, Wick, were all awarded assistance for website developments. Denis Mann was also awarded assistance with the cost of specialist equipment.

Sports & Arts Grants
North Lands Creative Glass Ltd, Lybster, are to receive up to £5,600 to assist with the costs of staging its "excavate:overlay" project. Also assisted were CASTAG, to assist with the staging of the 2003 Highland Wild Trout Challenge, and Lyth Arts Centre, to assist with the staging of two outdoor concerts.

Community INVESTMENT Grants
Rosehall & District Action Group, received approval of £6,000 towards the construction of a log cabin building which they plan to use as an educational centre. North Highland Juvenile Pipe Band and Wick RBLS Pipe Band are both to be assisted, with start-up equipment costs and the upgrading of the band's premises respectively. Sutherland Sailing & Boating Club are to receive £2,850, to assist with the purchase of a safety boat and associated equipment, while Dornoch & District Angling Club are to receive £850 to assist with the purchase of a rowing boat.

Also assisted were Dornoch Heritage Society, to assist with the production of a DVD on the Dornoch rail line, and Skerray Historical Association, to assist with a one-year funding package to employ a community archivist.

Tourism Infrastructure
Yarrows Heritage Trust, are to receive £7,500 to assist with a major archaeological dig this summer.

Community Planning
Highland Shellfish Management Organisation have received approval of up to £6,920 to assist with the cost of employing local Sector Development Officers in Caithness & Sutherland. Also assisted were: the Highland Council, to assist with a public art study in Pulteneytown; Lairg Community Association, to assist with professional fees associated with the upgrading of Lairg Community Centre; Strathnaver Public Hall (Youth Committee) to assist with professional fees associated with the creation of a skate park; and Skerray Historical Society, to assist with a Development Planning process.

Skills Aid
Pulteneytown Peoples' Project, are to be assisted with £2,000 towards the delivery of an innovative Team Leader's Training programme.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Yarrows Heritage Trust, are to receive £7,500 to assist with a major archaeological dig this summer, while Skerray Historical Society, is to receive up to £1,200 to assist with a development planning project and £4,990 towards a Community Archivist post. The remaining approvals were for Wick RBLS Pipe Band, to assist with the upgrading of their premises, and the Highland Shellfish Management Organisation, to assist with the employment of local Sector Development Officers in Caithness & Sutherland.

GAELIC DEVELOPMENT
Cearcall Gaidhlig a Tuath, are to receive £3,000 which will enable them to deliver a programme of Gaelic language classes in north-west Sutherland.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Wick Harbour Trust has received approval of assistance of up to £30,000 towards the cost of undertaking an in-depth strategic review and business planning exercise.

APPROVALS FOR APRIL 2003
The following are funds approved during the month ending 30th April 2003. 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.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

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.