INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland rose from 859 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) 7.3% (7.0%), 5.4% (5.0%) and 3.0% (2.8%).

SKILLSEEKERS
343 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 326 of whom are employed status trainees. Adam Sutherland, Thurso and Christopher Mallan, Thrumster achieved their vocational qualifications, in manufacturing operations and mixed farming respectively.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
279 Modern Apprentices are currently in training. Steven Shanks, Thurso, who is employed by Rolls Royce, achieved his Modern Apprenticeship certificate.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 32 participants on Training For Work. In addition to 4 trainees achieving their European Computer Driving Licence, Gavin Anderson from Brora achieved a Level 2 vocational qualification in Performing Engineering Operations.

NEW DEAL
18 participants started on Gateway, while a further 24 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
7 individuals received approvals, including assistance for Kevin Donn and Steven Brown, both Thurso, which enabled them to undertake advanced scaffolding assessments.

SHORT COURSES
25 people took part in a "Living from your Art" course, which was delivered in Golspie. As the name of the course implies, the objective of the event was to provide artists and crafts people with ideas as to how to go into self-employment using their skills.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
North British Trust Hotels Ltd are to be awarded up to £13,500 towards the cost of upgrading the facilities at The Norseman Hotel in Wick. William Coghill, Watten is to be assisted with the cost of developing his business, while Sutherland Stonework, Golspie, are to be assisted with the cost of upgrading of their facilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL GRANTS
The Highland Council, Sutherland, was awarded £3,000 towards the project to install floodlighting in the in the square in Dornoch.

HIE STARTS
Sarah Whealing, Rogart has received approval of assistance which will enable her to start trading as Corry Croft Plant Nursery. Also assisted was Martin Livings, Golspie whose business, Keeper Concept, will manufacture a range of steel products for sporting estates.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Scrabster Harbour Trust, Scrabster, was awarded £1,500 towards the cost of undertaking a marketing plan and attending a trade exhibition. Also assisted were Brora Golf Club and Alistair Fortune, also Brora, for catering and IT consultancies respectively.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
There were a total of 7 approvals, including assistance for Wick Harbour Trust towards the cost of MCA Tier 1 Oilspill Response courses.

Community INVESTMENT Grants
Thurso & District Squash Club have received approval of up to £20,000 to assist with an extension and improvements to their premises, while Melvich Community Council is to receive up to £22,000 to assist a playground project. Also assisted were Thurso Town Improvements, for the purchase of pedalo boats to be used on Thurso Boating pond and lighting in the square, and Dornoch Focus Group, to assist with the Historylinks Trail in and around Dornoch.

The remaining approvals were for: Northlands Creative Glass, to assist with a brochure and the purchase of equipment; Kyle of Tongue Development Group, to assist with study into the feasibility of converting a building in Tongue for use as a Heritage Centre; North Coast Community Enterprise Ltd, to assist with a development plan; and Strathnaver Museum, to assist with a technical study.

Community Planning
Caithness Community Care is to receive £15,875 to assist with the Caithness Handyperson Scheme, which will assist elderly and vulnerable householders with a range of maintenance tasks, while the Sutherland Partnership is to receive up to £4,440 to assist with stage one of North West Youth Initiative, which seeks to support young carers.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Helmsdale Heritage Society Ltd is to receive up to £4,000 to assist with their staff training and development programme.

There were also CED approvals for Kyle of Tongue Development Group, Dornoch Focus Group, North Coast Community Enterprise Ltd, and Strathnaver Museum, all of which matched assistance from Community Investment Grant assistance.

APPROVALS FOR JANUARY 2003
The following are funds approved during the month ending 31st January 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.

SKILLSEEKERS - Vocational qualifications achieved