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LOCAL MAN KEVIN IMLACH � KEEPS TRADITIONAL SKILLS GOING IN CAITHNESS Local businessman Kevin Imlach (23) has drawn on the assistance available in his area from a Royal source to help develop his business as fencer and drystane dyker. The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) gave help at the outset of Kevin's enterprise at the end of last year with a funding package of �2000 as well as professional business support to guide the transition to self employment.
However, despite being a remote and sparsely populated location in many ways it is a well placed environment for my trade. The core of my service is fencing for deer, stock as well as electric fencing and dyking and, with having training from a local contractor, the quality of my work has kept me in demand. "This is something I had thought about for a few years but with a personal setback things fell into place only over recent months and this proved time to start up on my own. Now that things are moving, my plans are simply to increase workload in the existing aspects of my business and, just as important, to remain in Caithness." Mr Imlach�s contact with the PSYBT was made initially through the sister organisation The Prince�s Trust during a self assessment barge trip on the Caledonian Canal, meeting and discussing plans with PSYBT area manager David Knight. In addition to assistance from the PSYBT, Kevin also received start-up funding from Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise and is supported by the PSYBT aftercare system. |
Mr Imlach said; "It has been
a long process in getting my business off the ground but making contact
with the PSYBT has been invaluable with their understanding of my
circumstances and guidance into working for myself. This help has been
extended to give financial assistance towards a vehicle, which has proven
to be a necessity in a widespread area like Caithness.