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C.A.S.E. MONTHLY REPORT FOR MAY 2004
INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland rose
from 876 last month to 879. The revised unemployment rates in the
Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas' respectively are as
follows: 3.9% (4.8%), 5.0% (4.6%) and 2.9% (2.5%).
SKILLSEEKERS
464 people are currently on Skillseekers, 457 of whom are employed status
trainees. There were 4 vocational qualifications achieved, all of which
were to Level III Standard.
MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
409 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, 116 of whom are over the
age of 25. Four MA certificates were achieved, while another 2 apprentices
started on the programme.
TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 23 participants on Training for Work. There were 5
European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualifications achieved and 6
participants went into employment following their time on the programme.
NEW DEAL
42 participants started on Gateway, while a further 34 people went into a
variety of employment and training options.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
There were approvals for David Lamb, Staxigoe and David Gunn, Brora, both
for RGIT offshore training.
FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Norfrost Ltd are to receive a secured loan of £1.2m to enable the company
to implement their strategic plan, developing a new range of freezers and
securing Norfrost’s position at the higher end of the white goods market.
Ackergill Ltd has been
awarded up to £22,800 towards the costs of the first phase of upgrading
Forss House Hotel, as part of their longer term plans towards achieving a
5 Star grading.
Steven Corbett, Kinlochbervie, has
been awarded assistance of up to £1,400 towards the purchase of specialist
equipment which will enable him to fish for crayfish, lobster and ground
fish.
HIE STARTS
Sheila Sutherland, Brora has started trading as ‘Stitches’ making soft
furnishings and curtains, while Ausrele Ripley, Bonar Bridge, has started
a massage therapy business.
E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
New Media People Ltd, Thurso, are to be assisted with the cost of
purchasing specialist interactive software to enable the company to create
a new generation of interactive websites for clients.
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Caithness Archaeology Trust is to receive £15,000 to assist with a major
archaeological survey of East Caithness which will be conducted by the
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).
On a similar theme, Durness
Development Group are to receive £5,000 to assist with the costs of a
major archaeological dig near Durness, the first of a five-year long
programme of research into Norse and medieval sites in NW Sutherland. The
excavation and survey will be carried out by Glasgow University
Archaeological Research Department (GUARD) during the summer of 2004.
Assistance of £3,132 will enable
Pulteneytown People’s Project to commission a study into the options for a
multi-functional community facility in the Pulteneytown area of Wick,
while Voluntary Groups East Sutherland will receive up to £27,471 to
assist with a three-year capacity building programme for community
organisations.
Also assisted were Assynt Economic
Development Association, to assist with the surveying of local businesses
as part of a local consultation programme, and Rogart Sheepdog Trials
Association, to assist with the purchase of equipment to enable the
staging of events in the Rogart area.
APPROVALS FOR MAY 2004
The following are funds approved during the month ending 31st May 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
James MacLennan, Dornoch, CITB, Carpentry & Joinery Level III; James
Swanson, East Murkle, SECTT, Installation & Commissioning Electrical
Systems Level III; Darren Mackenzie, Papigoe North Highland College,
Engineering Maintenance Level III; Shirley McLaughlan, Dornoch, ITP
Solutions Ltd, Administration Level III
MODERN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
Modern Apprenticeship certificates achieved
James MacLennan, Dornoch, CITB; Mhairi-Louise Clarke, Scarfskerray,
Microcom Training Ltd; James Swanson, East Murkle, SECTT; Darren
Mackenzie, Papigoe,
North Highland College
Modern Apprenticeship starts / transfers
Allan Craigie, Dunnet, CITB; Callum McGillivray, Embo, SNIPEF Training
Services Ltd
TRAINING FOR WORK
Vocational / other qualifications achieved
Rosalind Mills, Wick, Global Highland, European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL);
Caroline Florence,Castletown, Global Highland, ECDL; Alan Sutherland,
Bonar Bridge, Global Highland, ECDL; Brian Adams, Helmsdale, Global
Highland, ECDL;
Linda Hughes, Wick, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL
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.
Jacqueline Walters, Portskerra,
Global Highland; Otto Mathieson, Wick,
ITP Solutions; Peter Webster, Wick, 20/20 Clearview; Margaret Newlands,
Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview; Alison Webster, Wick, 20/20 Clearview; Paul
Bremner, Wick, 20/20 Clearview
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Unemployed (75% of the cost of the course)
David Lamb, Staxigoe, Offshore Survival – RGIT, £561.44; David Gunn, Brora
, Offshore Survival Refresher – RGIT, £345.29
FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Norfrost Ltd, Castletown, development of the business, £1,200,000
(217.5 Rt); Ackergill Ltd, By Wick,
Upgrade of facilities at Forss House
Hotel, £22,800 (3.5 Cr);
Steven Corbett, Kinlochbervie, purchase of
specialist equipment, £1,400 (0.5 Rt)
HIE STARTS
Sheila Sutherland, Brora, Stitches; Ausrele Ripley, Bonar Bridge
E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
New Media People Ltd, Thurso, interactive software for website developing,
£3,600
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Caithness Archaeology Trust East, Caithness survey, £15,000; Pulteneytown
People’s Project, options appraisal (community facility), £3,132;
Voluntary Groups East Sutherland, three-year capacity-building project,
£27,471; Assynt Economic Development Association, local business survey,
£400; Rogart Sheepdog Trials Association, purchase of event equipment,
£2,500; Durness Development Group, archaeological dig, £5,000 |
