Caithness.org News Bulletins 2003

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INTRODUCTION
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 781 last month to 741. This compares to 797 in the same period last year.

Please note - the Office of National Statistics, who provide the statistical information, have amended the denominators used to calculate percentage levels for unemployment levels. The revised unemployment rates in the Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas' respectively are as follows (revised corresponding figures for last month using new denominators are shown in brackets): 3.5% (3.9%), 3.9% (4.1%) and 2.6% (2.6%).

SKILLSEEKERS
473 people are currently on Skillseekers, 460 of whom are employed status trainees. There were a total of six vocational qualifications achieved, including a Level III in Horse Care & Management for Natalie Oag from Lyth.

MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
414 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, including 53 new starts. 108 Modern Apprentices are over the age of 25. Calum Helliwell, Liam Hughes and John Crowe all achieved their MA certificates in engineering disciplines.

TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 37 participants on Training For Work. In addition to the achievement of a Level III Owner Manager VQ by John Carter from Brora, there were 5 Positive Outcomes whereby trainees went into employment following their time on the programme.

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

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Three approvals, including assistance for John Oman, Wick and Douglas Dunbar, Thurso, which enabled them to undertake basic offshore survival training. Also assisted was Joan MacDonald, Brora who undertook a proof reading and editor skills course.

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
Speedy Skip Hire Ltd, Thurso has been awarded assistance of up to £21,000 towards the costs of the expansion of their premises, while Sutherland Estates has been awarded a development grant of up to £3,100 towards the creation of a game larder.

The remaining approvals, all towards the purchase of specialist equipment, were for: A & W Sinclair, John O'Groats; K P Technology, Wick; Dunbeath Engineering Ltd, Dunbeath; Caithness Stone Industries Ltd, Wick; and, 'Beauty in Dornoch'.

ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL GRANTS
A grant of up to £43,466 has been awarded towards the costs of external environmental improvements to Telford House in Lower Pulteney, while Helmsdale Community Council has been awarded a grant of up to £1,500 towards the costs of relocating the Loth War Memorial. The remaining approval was for the Kyle of Sutherland Initiative, which has been awarded a grant of up to £1,175 towards the costs of obtaining assistance with a feasibility study relating to the mountain bike trails at Balblair and Carbisdale.

HIE STARTS
Stuart Young, Dunnet has received HIE Starts assistance which has enabled him to establish himself as a self-employed building consultant.

HIE INNOVATION SUPPORT SCHEME
Mackay’s Hotel, Durness and The Golf Links Hotel, Golspie have both received a two-day hotel consultancy, while Pine Bay Ltd, Bonar Bridge received a two-day innovation consultancy.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST SKILLS
There were a total of six approvals, including assistance for Johnston’s of Thurso, towards the costs of SAGE Training and E M & T Rapson, Helmsdale, towards the costs a book-keeping and accountancy course entitled 'Quick Books'.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Scottish Agricultural College has been awarded a grant of up to £750 towards the costs of CAP Reform Seminars.

E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Planet Boo, Tongue and K & D Parkes, Barrock are both to receive assistance with the cost of website developments.

FEASABILITY & CONSULTANCY
Kiarie Ltd, Wick has been awarded a grant of up to £4,000 towards the costs of undertaking a technical consultancy.

Community ASSISTANCE Grants
Pentland Brass Band, are to receive up to £5,000 towards the cost of purchasing equipment for junior members, while Wick RBLS Pipe Band are to receive £1,084 to assist with the costs of a trip to Germany.

Assistance of £4,817 will enable Highland Buildings Preservation Trust to undertake an investigation into the future options for both the Old Brewery and a dangerous building in Princes Street, Thurso. On a similar theme, Assynt Leisure is to receive assistance of £2,500 towards the project management costs associated with the construction of the Assynt Leisure Centre. Approvals totalling £2,700 will enable Kinlochbervie Community Council to purchase festive lights and to produce a local information brochure for the area, while the Assynt News is to receive £782 towards the purchase of equipment.

There were 4 approvals related to childcare and associated activities. They were for: Golspie Community Council, to assist with a local childcare survey; Highland Pre-school Services, to assist with a family support initiative; Gym-Ted, to assist with the costs of training pre-school assistant gym coaches; and Creich Community Council, to assist with the purchase of equipment for a play area in Bonar Bridge.

The remaining approvals were for Highland Council Community Learning, to assist with the costs of running the “On Two Wheels” motorcycle training project for young people in Sutherland, and Sutherland Sports Council, to assist with its “Excellence in Sports” awards.

The Grey Coast Theatre, Ault Beag Armadale Trust and Highland Council Education Culture and Sport all received assistance for their projects, which also received assistance from the EU funded CED Programme (as outlined below).

Ault Beag Armadale Trust are to receive up to £1,350 towards the cost of appointing a consultant to work with the group to draw up a business development plan for their property, the Kells Croft in Armadale. The objective of the group is to turn the croft and crofthouse, which retains many features of an original 'but and ben', into a sustainable and viable community resource and visitor attraction.

Highland Council Education Culture & Sport have received approval of £5,000 for their innovative project, entitled 'Promote Inclusion Though Public Art'. The project centres on using new media techniques to produce artwork with young people in the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas of Ormlie and North Sutherland. The final product will then be presented at a community showcase event and then at an event involving all the SIP areas in the Highlands.

The remaining approval was for the Grey Coast Theatre, towards the cost of staging their "Song of Wick" production

APPROVALS FOR SEPTEMBER 2003
The following are funds approved during the month ending 30th September 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.