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C.A.S.E. MONTHLY REPORT FOR APRIL 2004
INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland
fell from 926 last month to 876. The revised unemployment rates in the
Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas' respectively are as
follows: 4.8% (5.2%), 4.6% (4.6%) and 2.5% (2.8%).
SKILLSEEKERS
465 people are currently on Skillseekers, 455 of whom are employed status
trainees. There were 4 vocational qualifications achieved, including
Management Level III certificates for Linda Crawford, Thurso and Ann
Shearer, Canisbay.
MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
402 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, 110 of whom are over the
age of 25. There were 8 MA certificates achieved, while 20 people started
on the programme.
TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 28 participants on Training for Work. There were 3
industry specific qualifications achieved, including forklift
certification for Donald Connor, Haster.
NEW DEAL
51 participants started on Gateway, while a further 28 people went into a
variety of employment and training options.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
There were five approvals, including assistance of £750 for Kathleen
Wares, Strathy, which will enable her to undertake Ship Agency training.
FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Funding of £182,400 has enabled Drumbeg Salmon Ltd, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Loch Duart Ltd, to secure the future of 16 jobs at sites
previously run by Ardvar Salmon Ltd and to upgrade the facilities at these
sites.
In addition, assistance of 60,600 will enable Loch
Duart Ltd, in tandem with the Drumbeg project, to upgrade their existing
salmon farm facilities and implement a programme of staff training.
ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL GRANTS
The Highland Council has been awarded a grant of up to £9,700 towards the
costs of upgrading Tarbet Pier.
HIE STARTS
Janette Macpherson is to provide an interior decorating and design service
from her new business in Tongue.
BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
David Henderson of Broch Information Systems has been awarded
assistance of up to £699 towards the cost of undertaking training in
marketing.
E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Assistance of £9,925 will enable Alladale Estates, Ardgay, to establish an
integrated e-commerce website.
MARKETING AND CONSULTANCY
Scrabster Seafoods Ltd has been awarded up to £500 towards the cost of
attending a trade fair in Brussels.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Assistance of £48,000 will enable Culag Community Woodland Trust to create
a flagship all-abilities outdoor trail on Little Assynt Estate, Lochinver,
while Helmsdale Golf Club are to receive up to £23,500 towards the cost of
a new clubhouse which will include a golf simulator.
Also assisted were Scourie & Badcall Grazings
Committee, who will receive £2,640 to assist with the purchase of
equipment for a community-based machinery ring.
APPROVALS FOR APRIL 2004
The following are funds approved during the month ending 30th April 2004.
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.
SKILLSEEKERS - Vocational Qualifications
achieved
Valerie Beaton, Thurso, ITP Solutions Ltd, Administration Level III; Gary
Sutherland, Golspie, CITB, Carpentry & Joinery Level III; Linda Crawford,
Thurso , ITP Solutions Ltd, Management Level III; Ann Shearer, Canisbay,
ITP Solutions Ltd, Management Level III
MODERN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
Modern Apprenticeship certificates achieved
Stuart Bremner, Thurso, Rolls Royce; Emma-Jane Sutherland, Thurso, Rolls
Royce; Thomas Rapson, Berriedale, Inverness College; Gary Sutherland,
Golspie, CITB; Susan Martin, Wick, Microcom Training; Shirley Douglas,
Altass, ITP Solutions Ltd; Peter Campbell, Thurso, ITP Solutions Ltd;
Phyllis Thornton, Scarfskerry, ITP Solutions Ltd
Modern Apprenticeship starts / transfers
Jack Anderson, Dornoch, SECTT; Gemma MacLean, Wick, Microcom Training Ltd;
Bryan Falconer, Thurso, ITP Solutions Ltd; Kevin Anderson, Thrumster, ITP
Solutions Ltd; Martin Mackay, Thurso, ITP Solutions Ltd; Stephanie
Chalmers, Hill of Forss, ITP Solutions Ltd; Sandra Beaton, Thurso, Global
Highland; Brian Wares, Thurso, Global Highland; Graham Halliday, Thurso,
Global Highland; Mark MacDougall, Thurso, Global Highland; Ronnie Munro,
Wick, Global Highland; Scott Hervo, Papigoe, Global Highland; Steven
Leith, Thurso, Global Highland; Jessie Mackay, Thurso, Global Highland;
Alison Ella, Keiss, Global Highland; Malcolm Cowie, Helmsdale, CITB; Marc
MacDonald, Wick, CITB; Sean Redmond, Wick, CITB; Steven Mackay, Helmsdale,
CITB; George Ewart, Papigoe, CITB
TRAINING FOR WORK
Vocational / other qualifications achieved
John Murray, Brora, Global Highland, European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL);
John Alexander, Thurso, ITP Solutions Ltd, Tele-Forklift; Donald Connor,
Haster , ITP Solutions Ltd, Forklift
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS - Unemployed (75% of
the cost of the course)
William T Allison, Lochinver, instructor training, £750.00; Kathleen
Wares, Strathy, Ship Agency, £750.00; Francis MacDonald, Lybster, Offshore
Survival – RGIT, £695.31; Graham Banks, Keiss, Offshore Survival – RGIT,
£643.12; John Alexander, Thurso, Dumptruck Driver / Operator, £672.34
FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Drumbeg Salmon Ltd, development of new company and upgrading of salmon
farm facilities, £182,400 (16 Rt); Loch Duart Ltd, Scourie, upgrading of
salmon farm facilities and a programme of staff training, £60,600 (3 Cr)
ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL GRANTS
The Highland Council, Sutherland, upgrade Tarbet Pier, £9,700
HIE STARTS
Janette Macpherson, Tongue, Janette’s Interior Decoration Services
BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
Broch Information Systems, Halkirk, marketing training, £699
E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Alladale Estates, Ardgay, establishment of an e-commerce web site,
£9,925
MARKETING AND CONSULTANCY
Scrabster Seafoods Ltd, Scrabster, trade fair in Brussels, £500
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Helmsdale Golf Club, clubhouse and golf simulator project, £23,500; Culag
Community Woodland Trust, Little Assynt All-Abilities Trail, £48,000;
Scourie & Badcall Grazings Committee, purchase of equipment for community
machinery ring, £2,640 |
