Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) congratulates the region's businesses which scooped three food 'Oscars' at the 2013 Scotland Food and Drink Awards on Thursday night - 30th june 2013. Three ambitious companies from the Highlands and Islands have been recognised in the 2013 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
This is a short message to update you on activities relating to the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership. Energy/ Business Services: As reported last week I worked with partners from Highland Council, HIE, Energy North and Caithness Chamber to arrange a visit from representatives from National Grid.
The renewable energy industry gathered on Wednesday 22 May 2013 to celebrate the European Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC) 10th anniversary at the annual All-Energy Exhibition and Conference in Aberdeen. Over 250 people attended a reception held on the HI-energy and Orkney pavilions at the show, which featured a wide range of Orkney produce.
29 May 2013 Technology Trends: The importance of Mobile - Wednesday 29 May Guest speakers are Ross Tuffni, DOGFI.SH MOBILE Ltd and Prof Jon Oberlander, The Smart Tourism Programme. Mobile devices have transformed our daily lives and how, when and where your customers engage with their mobile devices is key to understanding how and where to reach them.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has revealed that more companies than ever before were supported into new overseas markets last year by its international trade arm Scottish Development International (SDI). In 2012/13, SDI worked with 156 companies across the Highlands and Islands to develop their international business, representing an almost 50 per cent increase from 106 the previous year.
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland is set to take centre stage at the All-Energy exhibition and conference in Aberdeen this week (Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd May). Over 70 companies will come together under the banner of HI-Energy to showcase the region’s world-leading renewable energy expertise and supply chain capabilities.
Week Commencing 13th May 2013 Energy/ Business Services: I met this week with colleagues from HIE, Highland Council, Environmental Research Institute, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and business representatives to discuss the evolving concept of an “International Marine Energy Delivery (IMED)” campus in Caithness. It was clear from the meeting that there is a considerable amount of work currently being undertaken in the north that is ready for wider international attention, including the academic work being taken forward by the ERI and European partners, and the international work being undertaken by area businesses.
Employers all over Scotland will be encouraged to employ more Modern Apprentices as the second Scottish Apprenticeship Week gets underway on Monday 20 May. Skills Development Scotland wants to work with bosses to recruit 25,000 new Modern Apprentices – matching the 25,000 training last year across more than 80 different occupations.
Week Commencing 6 May 2013 Energy/ Business Services: Ignis Wick Ltd, the company behind the combined heat and power scheme in Wick, have announced a further expansion of the district heating system with the connection later this month of the Wick Assembly Rooms. This will allow the north’s largest public performance venue to be heated entirely from renewable energy, enabling its oil-fired boiler to be switched off.
HIE’s 2012-13 end of year results, reviewed by Board members this week, reveal that the agency has met or exceeded its targets for increasing turnover and international sales for supported businesses and social enterprises. It also highlights the delivery of a wide range of ambitious projects which are making a real difference to the region’s economic and social sustainability.
Energy/ Business Services: As we continue to see positive interest in Caithness from the energy sector, I met this week with representatives from Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd, HIE and Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd to discuss feedback from recent contact and to agree the key messages we will continue to take to companies in the sector about the value of doing business in the north. Enabling Activities: Continuing work on developing our activities in support of skills this week: I met with local partners to discuss how we might best help people to understand and take advantage of some forthcoming opportunities in the “home-working” sector, where doing a range of skilled work from a home base can be an attractive option.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise would like to increase the number of people registered on their skills register so they can spread the word on job opportunities in North Scotland. It will also help greatly to attract large companies to come and invest in the local area! Go on, inspire investment and get job opportunities - register here: http://www.hie.co.uk/skillsregister.
Week commencing 22 April 2013 Energy/ Business Services: Scrabster Harbour Trust has this week announced an agreement with NorSea Group, a major Norwegian oil & gas services company, that is expected will lead to major investment and new job prospects for the local economy. NorSea operates nine supply bases along the coast of Norway, but this will be its first Scottish base.
A new interactive map interactive map displaying employment figures within the energy sector in the Highlands and Islands has been launched today (Monday 22 April 2013). The launch coincides with today’s meeting of the National Renewables Advisory Group in Inverness, chaired by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing.
Week commencing 15th April 2013 Energy/ Business Services: Developing the skills of our current and future workforce has been the subject of a series of discussions with partners this week. The Partnership’s Executive and Advisory Boards have identified this as a priority issue, and from recent discussions with potential investors, particularly in the energy sector, better intelligence on industry requirements is emerging to help us.
Gordon & MacPhail, the malt whisky specialist and specialist drinks wholesaler, has been named the official title sponsor of the 2013 Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards. The family-owned and managed business, established in Elgin in 1895, is one of the UK’s leading independent specialist wholesalers stocking over 4,500 product lines, including an extensive wine list, an impressive portfolio of spirits and a wide range of craft beers and ciders.
New programme launched to help food and drink businesses. The 2014 Food & Drink team has today announced a new package of innovation support, designed to help all Scottish food and drink companies to capitalise on the business opportunities presented by events taking place in Scotland during 2014.
Trade body Energy North is calling on ambitious Moray businesses looking to explore ways to service the energy supply chain to attend a free energy trade information day in Elgin next week (Thursday 18 April). The event has been organised by Energy North and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to raise awareness and encourage Moray businesses to promote their existing capabilities, and by developing their services to capitalise on new supply chain opportunities.
Week Commencing 8th April 2013 Energy/ Business Services: Students from North Highland College’s Engineering apprenticeship programme have just returned from a week in Orkney studying Marine Renewables Safety Training at Orkney College’s Maritime Studies department. The students (including some from Orkney) are based at Thurso’s state-of-the-art Engineering, Technology & Energy Centre (ETEC), but this tie-up allows students to add crucial maritime safety elements to their final qualification, bringing them closer to opportunities in the energy sector.
