INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 793 last month to 781. 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): 5.1% (5.2%), 5.2% (5.4%) and 3.1% (2.9%).

SKILLSEEKERS
425 people are currently on Skillseekers, 414 of whom are employed status trainees. Natalie Shearer, Thurso, achieved her VQ in hairdressing, while William Mackay, Dornoch and Scott Morgan, Bower, both achieved their VQs in gamekeeping.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
370 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, including 15 new starts. 104 MA trainees are over the age of 25. Neil Suttar, Dunnet and Colin Sinclair, Staxigoe both achieved their Modern Apprenticeship certificates.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 43 participants on Training For Work. There were a total of 4 Positive Outcomes, with trainees going into employment following their time on the programme. In addition, 3 industry specific qualifications were achieved.

NEW DEAL
31 participants started on Gateway, while a further 36 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
There were a total of 8 approvals, including assistance of £621 for Annella Bulch, Lochinver towards a PCV Licence course.

HIE STARTS
Roxanne Bannermann, Spinningdale, has been awarded a HIE Starts assistance for her new business, Roxy's Sauces, which will produce and market her own home-made tartar sauce.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Key Commercial Services, Bonar Bridge has been awarded £250 towards the cost of undertaking a market sampling exercise in London.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
The 3 approvals were for: Kenneth Thomson, towards the costs of obtaining a Class 2 Engineering ticket; Johnson Controls Ltd, towards a Chartered Institute of Building course; and, Scrabster Harbour Trust, towards a NEBOSH General Certificate.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Dornoch Caravan Park is to receive £425 towards the cost of a web site development.

FEASABILITY & CONSULTANCY
Scrabster Harbour Trust has received a grant of £3,750 towards the cost of undertaking a technical consultancy.

Community ASSISTANCE Grants
Lyth Arts Society are to receive up to £33,333 towards the cost of the major re-development of the Lyth Arts Centre. This will include the installation of state-of-the-art sound and light equipment.

Assynt Crofters’ Trust received approval of £5,000 to assist with the staging of a 10th anniversary conference and arts event, held over 3 days, at Stoer, while Culag Community Woodland Trust are to receive £4,150 to assist with the costs of establishing a community office in Lochinver.

North Lands Creative Glass received approval of £8,012, to assist with a series of Masterclasses and an International Conference at their centre in Lybster, while Wick Youth Club is to receive up to £2,687 to assist with the costs of a community arts project in Lower Pulteneytown.

Assistance of £1,254 will enable Caithness Voluntary Group to establish “Food for Thought”, an innovative project which aims to raise awareness of, and access to, nutritional foods and cooking techniques which can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
North Sutherland Community Forestry Trust received approval of £250 to assist with the costs of running a woodfuel demonstration event at the Forsinain Sheds. The remaining approvals were for North Lands Creative Glass and Caithness Voluntary Group, as outlined above.

APPROVALS FOR AUGUST 2003
The following are funds approved during the month ending 31st August 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.

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.