Advisory / Counseling Services News

HIE Appoints Director For Broadband And Digital Economy

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is stepping up its efforts to ensure that businesses and communities across the region are able to harness the benefits of digital communications, including next generation broadband (NGB).   Stuart Robertson, currently the development agency's Head of Digital and Broadband, as well as its Area Manager for Shetland, is to take on a new, dedicated role as Director of Digital Highlands and Islands.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update

week commencing 17th September 2012 Energy: Scottish Renewables' Marine Conference and Exhibition took place in Inverness this week, with over 250 delegates and over 40 exhibitors including Kongsberg Maritime, Caithness Renewables and Invest Caithness.  To coincide with the Conference Scottish Renewables published data indicating that the costs of connecting to the National Grid for Caithness-based Pentland Firth wave and tidal projects had decreased against previous estimates, whilst connection charges from Orkney had dramatically increased.  

Save, Borrow, Plan for Tomorrow

HI-SCOT Credit Union is now operating across the Highland area and provides an opportunity for people in the community to come together to save, and borrow money at low rates.  Credit Unions are not-for-profit co-operatives, with surpluses being returned to members.  

World famous ship surrounded by sea of Caithness Stone

Thousands of tourists beating a path to Greenwich, home of the Olympic Equestrian Centre and Royal Museums Greenwich, may find their feet on Caithness stone if they also stop by the world�s last surviving tea clipper.   One of the world�s most famous ships, the Cutty Sark was devastated by fire in 2007, but opened again to the public this year in grand style after six years of intensive conservation work.  

HIE welcomes opening of two new engineering, technology and research facilities in Thurso

Annemarie Monteforte from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said: "The two facilities which the First Minister is opening today are key to building further on the skills and R&D required for the energy supply chain in Caithness and the wider North Highlands.   "Through this Thurso campus, UHI and North Highland College now deliver the full range of Higher and Further Education services to provide the skills needed for the sector to flourish.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update

Enabling Activities: Enabling those who are currently out of work to find employment, helping school students to identify paths towards employment and supporting those seeking transition opportunities within the current workforce were the three drivers for a meeting I convened this week with colleagues from North Highland College, Skills Development Scotland, Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Highland Council's Employability team.  The discussion was to progress plans for an event that promotes access to skills opportunities in new and emerging sectors with relevance to the area.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration - Update

This is a short message to update you on activities relating to the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.   Update 9th July 2012 Tourism: Natural Retreats, the operators of the new development at John O'Groats, confirmed in this week's local press the good news that the high-quality self-catering lodges at its site should be completed by early August, with already encouraging levels of interest.  

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Update

Week ended 2 July 2012 This is a short message to update you on activities relating to the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.   Energy: The Marine Energy Group, which is co-chaired by Scottish Government and industry body Scottish Renewables, has published its Marine Action Plan, which updates on progress since the launch of the Marine Energy Roadmap in 2009 and highlights ongoing activities required of governments, agencies and private sector in five key areas to further development the marine energy industry.  

Dounreay and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Working Together

As the opportunities for renewable energy increase in the North of Scotland, the lead partner in the Dounreay site, Babcock, announces its continued support to bring jobs into the area.   The secondment of June Love, Dounreay, to support Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) activities in the sectors of Energy and Business Services demonstrates a real partnership working between the private and the public sectors.  

Support For Rural Communities To Buy Land

Rural communities in Scotland can now apply for support to help buy their land, Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson announced.   The new �6 million Scottish Land Fund which will empower communities by helping them acquire land opens for applications on Monday (2 July 2012).