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INTRODUCTION
The number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 1,031 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) 6.9% (7.9%), 6.0% (6.5%) and 3.0% (3.4%).

SKILLSEEKERS
281 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 266 of whom are employed status trainees. A total of 4 Level II vocational qualifications were achieved, in administration, retail and amenity horticulture.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
216 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, including 3 new starts on the programme.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 45 participants on Training For Work. In addition to the achievement of a vocational qualification in Performing Manufacturing Operations, a further 8 candidates successfully achieved their Elementary Food Hygiene Certificates.

NEW DEAL
33 participants started on Gateway, while a further 57 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Donald Crowe from Wick received approval of assistance towards an Offshore Survival Course, while Des Munro from Lairg was assisted with the cost of undertaking a European Safety Passport course.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Gordon Mackenzie, of Kinbrace Garage, was awarded assistance of £10,700 towards the purchase of specialist plant which will enable him to handle and haul timber extracted from Rhimsdale Forest, which will then be loaded onto trains at Kinbrace Railway Station for transportation south.

Caithness Multimedia Ltd, Thurso were awarded assistance of £30,000 towards the costs of research and development financing for new product developments, while Caithness Glass Ltd. was awarded assistance of £32,600 towards the installation of specialist equipment at the Wick factory.

The owners of Tongue Hotel were awarded assistance of £24,000 towards the cost of upgrading guest facilities, while Beauty Through Herbs Ltd, Thurso was awarded £7,900 towards e-business marketing for new product developments.

HIE STARTS
Donna Booth, Wick has started trading as JIT Training, which will provide training for businesses and individuals in all aspects information technology.

The others assisted were Richard Swaddle from Latheron, towards starting a worm farm business, and Hugh MacKenzie from Lochinver, towards starting a fish selling business.

HI PROCESSING MARKETING GRANT
Norman Mackay of the Blackstairs Fish Shop, Wick was awarded assistance of £13,200 towards establishing a fish processing and packaging operation, while Sutherland Agricultural Society Ltd received approval of £2,350 towards the ‘Taste of Sutherland’, an event which will take place as part of the county show in Dornoch.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Those receiving assistance were: Fripperies, John O Groats, for a marketing initiative in America; Brian Hinnigan, Golspie, for a product development and marketing consultancy; and, Loch Duart Ltd, Scourie for an environmental consultancy.

SPECIALIST SKILLS
John Elder and Sons Ltd, Dunbeath were awarded a £320 grant towards undertaking a light and heavy vehicle recovery course.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMME
Sutherland Brothers, Wick were awarded £4,000 towards a pilot e-procurement rollout system, while Highland Stoneware Ltd, Lochinver were awarded £4,960 towards the upgrade and development of their existing website.

HIE STANDARDS
The owners of Tongue Hotel were awarded a £14,400 grant towards upgrading their guest facilities.

HIE MARKS
Caledoian Curry Company, Bonar Bridge was awarded assistance of £632 towards product labelling.

Sports & Arts Grants
The three approvals were for: West Sutherland Music Society, to help support a tour of Northumberland for its young musicians; Achiltibuie Piping School, to help several young Lochinver musicians undertake a series of training events; and, the Highland Festival, to help stage a touring production of ‘The Wedding’ at various venues in Caithness & Sutherland.

Community Action Grants
Watten Community Council, are to receive £1,254 towards the purchase of festive lighting for the village.

CROFT ENTRANTS’ SCHEME
Liam Swanson, Bilbster, received approval of £365 towards year two of his three-year development plan.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Caithness & Sutherland Trout Angling Group (CASTAG) are to receive assistance of £1,475 towards the staging of the Highland Wild Trout Challenge, a fishing competition to be held on Loch Shin on the 20th and 21st of July.

The remaining approvals were for: John O’Groats Promotional Group, to assist with a tourism survey; Scottish Wildlife Trust, to assist with a feasibility study into developing an eco-bothy on Handa Island; Yarrows Heritage Trust, to assist with an innovative archaeology-related planning activity; and, Caithness Archaeology Trust to support the creation of a Business plan for this new Trust.

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
Rolls Royce Marine Power, Pentland Construction and the Royal Hotel (Thurso) have all been re-recognised as Investors in People.

The following are funds approved during the month ending 31st May 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.

SKILLSEEKERS - Vocational qualifications achieved

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME - Starts/transfers

TRAINING FOR WORK - Vocational/other qualifications achieved