Caithness.org News Bulletins 2002

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INTRODUCTION
The number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 810 last month to 797. 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) 5.4% (5.8%), 5.3% (5.2%) and 3.0% (2.9%).

SKILLSEEKERS
299 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 287 of whom are employed status trainees. Leighanne Murray, Brora and Shane Ross, Thurso achieved vocational qualifications, both via North Highland College.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
244 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, including 37 new starts.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 43 participants on Training For Work. There were 3 positive outcomes achieved by participants this month, 1 of which was into employment, the others into further education.

NEW DEAL
19 participants started on Gateway, while a further 45 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
There were 3 approvals, including assistance for Alan Tadd, Halkirk to undertake a NEBOSH certificate course in health and safety.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Pulsen Design Ltd has received approval of up to £3,200 towards the cost of equipment for their newly established knitwear design and production business based in Brora, while assistance of up to £2,000 will enable Alexander Harper, Wick to purchase a magnetic can sorter, which will increase the efficiency of his recycling initiative. In addition, CASE assistance will enable the proprietors of the Achins Bookshop in Lochinver and the Rhian Guest House in Tongue to upgrade their facilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL GRANTS
Two projects managed by the Highland Council are to receive assistance. Thurso Gateway and Thurso Mall projects are to receive assistance of £10,000 and £25,000 respectively, while Historic Assynt, Assynt, have received approval of £20,000 towards their Inchnadamph Project.

HIE STARTS
Colin Mackenzie, Helmsdale has started an engineering consultancy business, while Anne Sutherland, Latheronwheel, has started a craft training business.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Ian Smith of the Caledonian Curry Company, Bonar Bridge was awarded assistance toward the cost of attending a bottling exhibition, while Islay Macleod, Thrumster Estates Ltd, was awarded assistance towards a visit to a goose farm in Worcestershire. Also assisted were CMM Ltd, Thurso and Caithness Creels Ltd, Wick, both towards the cost of commissioning technical assessment reports.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
Skibo Ltd, Dornoch, was awarded assistance of £550 towards an Indian Head Massage course.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
The Ben Loyal Hotel, Tongue; Caledonian Curry Company, Bonar Bridge; and Graham Begg Ltd, Wick were all awarded assistance towards the cost of web site and e-commerce developments.

HIE MARKS
Lochshell Engineering, Wick was awarded £1,040 towards the cost of promotional material.

Sports & Arts Grants
Pentland Canoe Club, received assistance towards hosting the recent 2002 Paddlesurf Championships, while Wick RBLS Pipe Band were assisted with the cost of their massed pipe band event. Both events also received assistance via the Community Economic Development programme.

Community INVESTMENT Grants
Helmsdale Community Association and Assynt Leisure Association have both received approvals for assistance, of £50,000 and £100,000 respectively, towards the cost of community facility developments. The Grey Coast Theatre Company were also assisted, towards the cost of staging of their 51 Pegasus Tour.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In addition to the assistance for Pentland Canoe Club and Wick RBLS Pipe Band, the Sutherland Partnership received assistance to assist with the Graduate Placement Scheme.

INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
A&W Sinclair, John O'Groats; William Ronaldson & Sons, Westerseat; Cape Adventure International Ltd, Ardmore; and the Norseman Hotel, Wick have all achieved recognition as Investors in People. In addition, Tongue Hotel, Edward Mackay Ltd, Crossroads Care East Sutherland, Bridgend Health & Dental Practice, The Beauty Box, D Gow & Sons Ltd, Calder Engineering, Mackays Hotel and DW Georgeson & Son were all successfully re-recognised.

APPROVALS FOR SEPTEMBER 2002
The following are funds approved during the month ending 30th September 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.