Caithness.org News Bulletins 2004

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INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 879 last month to 808. The revised unemployment rates in the Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas' respectively are as follows: 3.7% (3.9%), 4.4% (5.0%) and 2.8% (2.9%).

SKILLSEEKERS
463 people are currently on Skillseekers, 457 of whom are employed status trainees. There were a total of 12 vocational qualifications achieved, all of which were to Level III standard. The qualifications gained ranged from Management to Engineering Maintenance.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
409 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, 116 of whom are over the age of 25. There were a total of 12 MA certificates achieved.

TRAINING FOR WORK
21 participants are currently on Training for Work. Four industry certificates were achieved, while six people went into full time education or employment following their time on the programme.

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

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Alison Reid, Thurso is to be assisted towards the cost of undertaking a ‘Gel Nails’ course, while Tony Banks, Wick will be assisted to undertake offshore survival training.

INITIAL INVESTMENT AND JOB CREATION
Assistance of £20,000 will enable Wick-based K P Technology Ltd to develop the business, which manufactures scientific materials testing equipment and software, while Whittles Publishing Ltd, Latheronwheel, has been awarded assistance of up to £25,000 towards developing and expanding the business, which publishes a broad range of technical and specialist publications.

Also assisted were DMG Engineering, based at Lochshell near Wick, and Andrew Sutherland, Latheronwheel, (see Business Starts), both of which have invested in the purchase of specialist equipment.

BUSINESS STARTS
Andrew Sutherland, Latheronwheel, will provide a service to individuals and garages to deal with a range of minor repairs to vehicles such as small dents, chips, scuffs and damage to upholstery via his business, Oops!

Anne Baker will design and make bridal wear to the requirements each bride via her business, Tickety Boo Bridal Wear, which will operate from her home at John O’Groats.

Also assisted were: John Baikie, Castletown, to start Caithness Photographic; Linda Baird, for Casba Kids, a new childminding business based in Thurso; and, Yvonne Lowe, Bonar Bridge, for Lowecroft Catering.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
R G H Rapson, Brora, have been awarded assistance of up to £250 towards obtaining PCV training, while Mowat Draughting Services Ltd, Halkirk, has been awarded a grant of up to £640 towards the costs of undertaking training in AutoCAD Electrical.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Caroline Holmes, Halkirk, is to receive £900 to assist with the costs of developing an e-commerce web site facility for her business, Strappy Bras.

Community ASSISTANCE Grants
Sutherland Sports Council is to receive £1,900 to assist with its Excellence Awards for 2004/05.

Croft entrant Ian Macleod, Eriboll, is to receive up to £294 to assist with his development plan for 246 Torrisdale, Skerray. David Crichton is to receive £1,539 as the outgoer.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The John Muir Trust is to receive up to £25,000 to assist with the costs of a facility to house interpretation panels and toilets, and additional parking, at start of the Sandwood Walk, near Kinlochbervie. The panels will be designed in collaboration with the community and will provide information both on Sandwood Estate and other local features of interest (archaeology, crofting, fishing, etc) in an effort to encourage visitors to understand the area better and explore it further.

Farr Edge, a childcare facility for children aged 2 years and over based in Bettyhill, is to receive £3,250 to enable it to undertake a 3 month trial to establish demand for increased opening hours. Originally open for 14 hours per week, the childcare centre has recently increased its opening hours to 35 hours and is now employing one full-time and four part-time staff.

CED funding will enable Timespan, Helmsdale, to appoint a short-term Change Manager, while Wick Town Events Group will receive assistance with the costs of a one-year Town Events Manager post.

Lairg & District Community Initiative, in collaboration with United Auctions and the North Country Cheviot Sheep Society, are to receive £1,000 towards the cost of commissioning a scoping study to identify the potential of the Lairg Mart to be developed as a tourist attraction.

‘A Taste of Tartan’, a new group which aims to organise and promote music and dance events that improve the cultural experience of visitors to Caithness, is to receive £650 towards the cost of inviting Markelo, a Dutch traditional dance group to visit Caithness to join local artistes for a series of traditional music and dance events in the county.

Assistance of £5,832 will enable Wick Harbour Trust to undertake technical studies relating to potential developments, while the Far North Sub-aqua Club is to receive £17,750 towards the costs of constructing a Dive Centre, also at Wick Harbour.

Castletown Heritage Society are to receive assistance towards the cost of a technical study into buildings at Castlehill, while Wick Heritage Society are to be assisted with the costs of environmental works to the old Herring Mart and the Lifeboat Shed at Wick Harbour.

The University of the Highlands & Islands Environment Research Institute, based in Thurso, will receive £2,374 towards the cost of undertaking a 10-week study to gather and assess all information currently available relating to the potential of the Pentland Firth as a site for renewable energy extraction and generation.

APPROVALS FOR JUNE 2004
The following are funds approved during the month ending 30th June 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.

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.