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Caithness.org News Bulletins 2003

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February 2003 Report
Earlier Reports Index

INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland rose from 916 last month to 1,002. 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) 7.6% (7.3%), 6.1% (5.4%) and 3.5% (3.0%).

SKILLSEEKERS
384 young people are currently on Skillseekers, 371 of whom are being employed status trainees. There were a total of 12 vocational qualifications gained, 10 of which were at Level III.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
328 Modern Apprentices are currently in training. There were 7 MA certificates achieved, including those by Peter Oag, Wick, and Allan Bokas, Portgower, in mixed farming and plumbing respectively.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 42 participants on Training For Work. A total of 8 qualifications were achieved, including an Owner Manager - Level III vocational qualification for Elizabeth Gilchrist from Lairg.

There were also 4 Positive Outcomes achieved, with three participants going into employment following their time on the programme, while one person went into further education.

NEW DEAL
21 participants started on Gateway, while a further 21 people went into a variety of employment and training options.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
There were a total of 6 individual Skills Development grants approved, including assistance of £750 for Michael Aitken, Keiss, to enable him to undertake a PCN Radiographic Inspection course.

TOURISM TRAINING
Representatives from tourism businesses attended courses aimed at enhancing the service they provide. M H Training delivered a course entitled 'Brush up on Housekeeping' at the Craigmonie Hotel in Inverness, while Clive Humby was the speaker at a 'Tourism Masterclass' at Gleneagles.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Scrabster Seafoods Ltd was awarded approval of assistance of up to £507,400 towards the construction of a new fish grading, processing and packing plant at Scrabster, while Ashley Anne Ltd were awarded assistance of up to £40,688 towards the expansion and upgrading of their Thurso factory.

Roderick Macleod, Lochinver, was awarded assistance of £1,500 towards diversification into prawn creel fishing, while

Graeme Gunn & Charles Mackay, Talmine, were awarded assistance of £13,700 towards diversification into mussel farming.

The remaining approvals were for: Ramscraig Kennels, Dunbeath, towards increasing the capacity of the kennels; Physio First, towards the relocation of the business to Golspie; and Alexander Ross, Golspie, towards the purchase of specialist equipment.

HIE STARTS
Elizabeth Gilchrist, Rosehall, has received assistance towards starting Faclan, a business which will provide a proof reading service to a variety of customers. Also assisted was Richard Glover, Lairg who will provide a pony carriage trekking service, which will include an option to learn how to drive a carriage.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Kendra Ballantyne was awarded assistance of up to £250 towards the costs of attending a trade show for the beauty industry, while D M Geddes, Halkirk and D Steven & Son, Scrabster both received business consultancy advice.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
Pentland Housing Association, Thurso, was awarded assistance of £285.50 towards the costs of Advanced Certificate of Construction Practises and Education & Training for Chartered Public Finance Accountants courses. Also assisted were: William Mackay, Golspie; Fiona Mackay, Parkhill Hotel, Durness; and, The Home Bakery, Wick, all towards the costs of undertaking training in computerised accounts.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Ackergill Tower, Wick, was awarded £7,800 towards the development of their computer network.

Sports & Arts Grants
The Caithness Science Festival is to be assisted with the cost of staging 'Science 03', while Caithness Archaeological Trust are to receive up to £610 towards the cost of staging a summer archaeological conference. Also assisted was Assynt Crofters’ Trust, to help with the costs of a series of events planned for this year to commemorate their tenth anniversary.

Community INVESTMENT Grants
Wick Play Areas Committee are to receive up to £20,000 towards the cost of a new play area at the Bignold Park, while New Futures Sutherland are to be assisted with the innovative “Wheels to Work” project. This project is aimed at helping unemployed people with transport difficulties to find work by teaching them to drive.

Also assisted were Kyle Action Group, to assist with a village lighting display, and Lairg Crofters’ Show Committee, to assist with the purchase of a Marquee for it's annual event.

Community Planning
Pulteneytown Peoples’ Project is to receive up to £33,082 to help establish a community regeneration project in the fragile area of Wick. Also assisted were Far North Sub-aqua Club, to assist with the first stage of an ambitious project to establish a dive centre at Wick Harbour, and the North West Cattle Producers Association, to help with the costs of creating a three year business plan.

Skills Aid
Culag Community Woodland Trust are to receive up to £1,250 to help with the costs of staging a community woodland skills events.

CROFT ENTRANTS’ SCHEME

There were a total of 4 approvals, including assistance for Shona Blance, Navidale and Garry MacDonald, Brora, who both secured re-let crofts.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

CED funding was approved to match Community Planning awards for both the Pulteneytown Peoples’ Project, Far North Sub-aqua Club and the North West Cattle Producers Association projects. Matched funding was also approved for the Sports and Arts award for the Assynt Crofters' Trust anniversary celebrations.

APPROVALS FOR FEBRUARY 2003
The following are funds approved during the month ending 28th February 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

Name of Trainee

Training Company

VQ Achieved

Hugh Simpson, Wick

CITB

Plant Operations Level II

Gavin Thom, Brora

CITB

Plant Maintenance Level III

Andrew Fraser, Spittal

CITB

Plant Maintenance Level III

Peter Oag, Wick

Rural Training Services

Mixed Farming Level III

Ryan Miller, Castletown

North Highland College

Engineering Maintenance Level III

Alan Sinclair, Thurso

North Highland College

Engineering Maintenance Level III

Allan Bokas, Portgower

SNIPEF Training Services

Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing Level III

Ellen Irvine, Dunbeath

NTP

Customer Services Level III

Sarah Sinclair, Glengolly

NTP

Customer Services Level III

Ruth Storm, Thurso

NTP

Customer Services Level III

Anna Wilson, Thurso

NTP

Customer Services Level III

John McPhee, Bonar Bridge

North Highland College

Skillstart

MODERN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
Modern Apprenticeship certificates achieved

Name of Trainee

Company

Jamie McPhee, Papigoe

Subsea 7

Stewart Bain, Wick

Subsea 7

Peter Oag, Wick

Rural Training Services

Alexander Crowe, Castletown

Rolls Royce

Richie Shearer, Thurso

Rolls Royce

Ryan Miller, Castletown

North Highland College

Allan Bokas, Portgower

SNIPEF Training Services

Modern Apprenticeship starts / transfers

Name of Trainee

Company

Mandy MacDonald, Halkirk

North Highland College

Tessa MacLeod, Melness

North Highland College

Cheryl McAffer, Dornoch

RT Resources

Gillian Hammond, Embo

RT Resources

Jacqueline MacKenzie, Dornoch

RT Resources

Maureen Campbell, Embo

RT Resources

Angela Walker, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Beverley Allen, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Claire MacKenzie, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Donna Coghill, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Gail McIntosh, Scrabster

ITP Solutions Ltd

Jane Wallace, Weydale

ITP Solutions Ltd

Katherine Dearness, John O’Groats

ITP Solutions Ltd

Laura Hendry, Scrabster

ITP Solutions Ltd

Lesley Lavery, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Liz MacGregor, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Nicola Kemp, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Sally Fyfe, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Valerie Beaton, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Vickie Munro, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Modern Apprenticeship starts / transfers (continued)

Name of Trainee

Company

Vicky Robertson, Dunbeath

ITP Solutions Ltd

Victoria Johnson, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Allan Douglas, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Barry Gunn, Dunnet

ITP Solutions Ltd

Clair Beattie, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

David Morris, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

David Shaw, John O’Groats

ITP Solutions Ltd

David More, Sibster

ITP Solutions Ltd

Euan Sutherland, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Gavin Powell, Stainland

ITP Solutions Ltd

Graeme Innes, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Graeme Porter, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Iain McLaughlan, Golspie

ITP Solutions Ltd

James Anderson, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

John Maxwell, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Julian Armitage, Castletown

ITP Solutions Ltd

Kris Davidson, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Mark Fraser, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Paul Robertson, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Peter Furniss, Halkirk

ITP Solutions Ltd

Tim Ellis, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Victor Risbridger, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Catherine MacKenzie, Halkirk

ITP Solutions Ltd

Coral Sinclair, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Donna Ellis, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Doreen McLeod, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Freda Johnstone, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Ivanna McKenna, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Jan Mackay, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Jane Sinclair, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Linda Lundie, South Keiss

ITP Solutions Ltd

Lyn Kennedy, Canisbay

ITP Solutions Ltd

Shirley Douglas, Altass

ITP Solutions Ltd

Susan Dobbie, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Theresa Mackay, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Trish Kimber, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Trish Warren, Glengolly

ITP Solutions Ltd

Christeen Davidson, Thurso

ITP Solutions Ltd

Julie Wright, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Linda Morrison, John O’Groats

ITP Solutions Ltd

Susan Purvis, Scrabster

ITP Solutions Ltd

Graeme Roberston, Thurso

CITB

TRAINING FOR WORK

Vocational / other qualifications achieved

Name of Trainee

Training Company

VQ / Other Qualification Achieved

Elizabeth Gilchrist, Lairg

Development Partners

Owner Manager Level III

Karen Harris, Helmsdale

Global Highland

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

Williamina Newlands, Wick

Global Highland

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

John McMasters, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

RGIT

Darren More, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

RGIT

William Fox, Brora

ITP Solutions Ltd

RGIT

Colin Morrice, Wick

ITP Solutions Ltd

Forklift Truck Certificate

Lawrence Norman, Lybster

ITP Solutions Ltd

Forklift Truck Certificate

TRAINING FOR WORK (continued)

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.

Name of Trainee

Training Company

James Brooks, Keiss

The North Highland College

Ashley Hunter, Dornoch

The North Highland College

Murdo Steven, Dunbeath

Global Highland

Heidi Douglas, Bonar Bridge

Global Highland

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS - Unemployed (75% of the cost of the course)

Name

Course Details

Max. Grant

Murray Harper, Thurso

NEBOSH Certificate

£750.00

Steven Cameron, Thrumster

Hazardous Goods By Road

£505.49

Graeme Miller, Skitten

Basic Offshore Survival

£492.00

Liam Sutherland, Latheronwheel

Basic Offshore Survival

£492.00

Michael Aitken, Keiss

PCN Radiographic Inspection Level 2

£750.00

Jamie Aitken, Wick

Basic Offshore Survival

£420.81

TOURISM TRAINING

Title of Course Provider Venue
Tourism Masterclass Clive Humby Gleneagles
Brush up on Housekeeping M H Training Craigmonie Hotel, Inverness

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS

Company and Location Description

Financial assistance

Forecast of jobs created or retained

Scrabster Seafoods Ltd, Scrabster Fish grading, processing and packing plant

£507,400

14 cr

Ashley Anne Ltd, Thurso Expansion and upgrade of factory

£40,688

-

Ramscraig Kennels, Dunbeath Increasing the capacity of the kennels

£11,900

1 cr

Physio First, Golspie Relocation of business to Golspie

£600

-

Alexander Ross, Golspie Purchase of specialist equipment

£3,000

-

Roderick MacLeod, Lochinver Diversification into prawn creel fishing

£1,500

2 rt

G Gunn & C Mackay, Melness Diversification into mussel farming

£13,700

3.5 rt

HIE STARTS

Name & Location Trading Name
Elizabeth Gilchrist, Rosehall Faclan
Richard Glover, Lairg Pony Carriage Trekking

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME

Name & Location Scheme

Max. Grant

Kendra Ballantyne Attendance at a trade show

£250

D M Geddes, Halkirk Production processes consultancy

-

D Steven & Son Business development consultancy

-

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS

Name & Location Course Details

Max. Grant

William Mackay, Golspie

Computer accounts course

£200

Fiona Mackay, Parkhill Hotel, Durness

Computer accounts course

£250

The Home Bakery, Wick

Computer accounts course

£136.25

Pentland Housing Association, Thurso Construction Practises & Public Finance Accountants

£285.50

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME

Name & Location Description

Max. Grant

Ackergill Tower, Wick Computer network development

£7,800

SPORTS & ARTS

Name of Applicant

Project Details

Max. Grant

Caithness Science Festival

Staging of Science 03

£2,000

Assynt Crofters Trust

Series of events during 2003

£2,863

Caithness Archaeological Trust

Staging of a summer conference

£610

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT GRANTS

Name of Applicant

Project Details

Max. Grant

Wick Play Areas Committee

New play area in Wick

£20,000

New Futures Sutherland

“Wheels to Work” project

£2,942

Kyle Action Group

Village lighting displays in Kyle of Sutherland

£1,000

Lairg Crofters’ Show Committee

Purchase of marquee

£1,253

COMMUNITY PLANNING

Name of Applicant

Project Details

Max. Grant

NW Cattle Producers’ Association

Business planning project

£2,200

Far North Sub-Aqua Club

Phase One of Wick Dive Centre

£1,574

Pulteneytown Peoples’ Project

Community regeneration project

£33,082

SKILLS AID

Name of Applicant

Project Details

Max. Grant

Culag Community Woodland Trust

Woodland skills events

£1,250

CROFT ENTRANTS’

Name of Applicant

Project Details

Max. Grant

Shona Blance, Navidale

Ingoer (re-let, no outgoer)

£2,000

Garry MacDonald, Brora

Ingoer (re-let, no outgoer)

£2,000

Colin Mackay, Armadale

Outgoer

£826

Gary Milton, Armadale

Ingoer

£1,382

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Name of Applicant

Project Details

Max. Grant

Far North Sub-Aqua Club

Phase One of Wick Dive Centre

£1,573

Assynt Crofters’ Trust

Series of events during 2003

£2,862

NW Cattle Producers’ Association

Business planning project

£2,600

Pulteneytown Peoples’ Project

Community regeneration project

£33,081