Caithness.org News Bulletins 2003

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INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 971 last month to 894. 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): 6.7% (7.2%), 5.6% (6.2%) and 3.1% (3.3%).

SKILLSEEKERS
433 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 417 of whom are employed status trainees. Sandie Drummond, Wick, and Louise Farquhar, Thurso, both achieved their Level II vocational qualifications in Hairdressing.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
373 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, 97 of whom are over 25 years of age. Alan Sinclair, Thurso, achieved his Modern Apprenticeship certificate.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 52 participants on Training For Work. There were a total of 7 qualifications attained, while Dianne O'Hennessy, Lairg, achieved a Positive Outcome by going into employment following her training.

NEW DEAL
39 participants started on Gateway, while a further 32 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
There were a total of 12 skills development grants for unemployed individuals, 7 of which were in offshore-related disciplines.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd, Halkirk, were awarded £46,100 towards the purchase of specialist plant and equipment, which will enable the company to tender for medium to heavy engineering contract work. This development will create 10 new jobs.
William & Clara Steven received approval of £4,700 towards the upgrading of facilities at the John O'Groats Caravan Park, while Catherine Matheson, Auckengill Post Office, was awarded £1,750 towards the upgrading of petrol pumps.
There were also approvals for: Katrina Sutherland, Lybster, towards the purchase of a new treatment couch; Golspie Golf Club, towards the purchase of green keeping equipment; and, David Watt, Lybster, towards the purchase of forestry equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL GRANTS
Highland Council, Dornoch, were awarded an Environmental Renewal Grant of £1,500 towards a Development Master Plan for South Bonar Industrial Estate.

HIE STARTS
Allan Young has received assistance which has enabled him to start trading as AKL Dental Laboratory. A fully qualified dental technician, Alan will initially concentrate on denture work from a room at The Bridges Dental Clinic in Wick.
Grant Mackay has received approval of assistance which will enable him to offer a self-drive boat hire business based in Embo. Mackay Boats will have 4 boats available, aimed primarily at the sea angling and leisure trips market.
The remaining HIE Starts approvals were for: Ellen Henderson, Thurso, who will provide a range of beauty treatment business via her new business, Beauty 2 U; Ian Sinclair, East Murkle, trading as MBS Consultants, who will provide a renewable energy consultancy service; and, Helen Sutton, East Mey, towards a tea-room selling light refreshments.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
There were a total of 8 approvals, including assistance of £500 for Victoria Garage, Brora, which will enable them to undertake ISO 9000 training.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
The Orcadian Stone Company Ltd, Golspie, was awarded £672 towards a website development.

RURAL PETROL STATION SCHEME
Auckengill Post Office, by Wick, was awarded a Rural Petrol Station Scheme grant of £3,500 towards the upgrading of the petrol pumps.

HIE STANDARDS
William & Clara Steven also received HIE Standards approval of £3,800 towards the cost of upgrading facilities at the John O'Groats Caravan Park.

CONSULTANCY & MARKETING SCHEME
Ackergill Ltd, Wick, was awarded £4,450 towards Market Research.

Community ASSISTANCE Grants
Assynt Community Association and Durness Highland Gathering have both received assistance towards the purchase of marquees, while Halkirk Highland Games Association is to be assisted with the cost of producing a commemorative book on the history of the event.
Caithness Sports Council, are to receive £4,500 to assist with its 'Excellence' awards and travel assistance initiatives, while Caithness United FC, are to received £1,100 to assist with the costs of staging a football tournament.
Approval of £600 towards travel expenses will enable Wick Players to compete at the finals of the Scottish festival of one-act plays.

The remaining approvals were for: Dornoch Focus group, to assist with the purchase of market stalls; Lybster Heritage Trust, to assist with the creation of a boat-building video and equipment for the Waterlines Centre; Sutherland Schools Pipe Band, to assist with the costs of a trip to Canada; Embo Community centre, to assist with the costs of design fees associated with the proposal to build an enhanced community hall; and, Culag Community Woodland Trust, to assist with the costs of an exchange trip to Wales.

APPROVALS FOR MAY 2003
The following are funds approved during the month ending 31st May 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

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.