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Advisory / Counseling Services News


57,000 Tonnes Of Hazardous Materials Finally Dealt With At Dounreay
Dounreay today completed the destruction of one of the most hazardous legacies of Britain's earliest atomic research.  A purpose-built chemical plant processed the last of 57,000 litres of liquid metal lifted from the primary cooling circuit of the experimental fast breeder reactor.  
Highlands and Islands counting on skilled workforce for new investments
A new register to demonstrate the skills and experience of workers interested in the financial and business services industry across the Highlands and Islands has been launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Due to a number of ongoing discussions with companies interested in investing and creating jobs in the area, the agency is now looking to demonstrate the range and diversity of skills and experience which are available across the Highlands and Islands.  
Work Begins on Railhead To Support Dounreay ClosureThumbnail for article : Work Begins on Railhead To Support Dounreay Closure
Construction work is underway on a new railhead to support the closure of the redundant nuclear site at Dounreay.   The facility at Georgemas Junction on the far north rail line will enable fuel belonging to the UK to be returned to national stocks where it can be used to generate electricity.  
Expert Advice On Doing Business In Ireland
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are encouraged to take advantage of business opportunities in Ireland at a free event in Inverness this month.   Ireland is the UK's fifth largest export market and the UK's largest export market in sectors such as food and drink, fashion and footwear.  
Dounreay Decomissioning Speeds Up Again
Senior figures from government and industry are gathering at Dounreay today to hear the site's new clean-up team set out their vision to accelerate the demolition of Britain's second largest civil nuclear site.   Three of the world's biggest engineering and project management companies - Babcock International, CHM2HILL and URS - have come together to win the largest site closure contract ever let in the UK.  
Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd Now controlled by Babcock
Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd is under new ownership from today.   The company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Babcock Dounreay Partnership.  
NDA Business Plan Sets Out Goals For Dounreay Clean-up
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority today publishes its business plan for 2012/13, setting out key clean-up goals for sites such as Dounreay to achieve.   "Our business plan for 2012/2013 sees us entering into the second year of funding allocated in the last spending review," says NDA chief executive John Clarke.  
Regeneration Partnership Latest Update
Week commencing 26th March Energy: Understanding and responding to the skills required to support jobs in the energy sector was the subject of a meeting this week.  Organised by Skills Development Scotland, the event brought together representatives from public sector bodies (SDS, JobCentre Plus, Highland Council, HIE, SQA) to hear from key energy/ power sector employers (Scottish & Southern Energy, Global Energy Group) and sector skills councils EU Skills (energy & utilities sectors) and OPITO (oil & gas).  
Nigg Skills Academy LaunchedThumbnail for article : Nigg Skills Academy Launched
First Minister unveiled a training boost for Scotland's energy industry Nigg Skills Academy to train thousands for renewables and oil and gas.   First Minister Alex Salmond launched an industry-led energy skills academy, established with over £900,000 public funding, to deliver training for thousands of workers across key sectors including oil & gas and renewables.  
Regeneration Partnership Update
Weekly update from CNSRP - week commencing 19th March Energy: The Leader of the Highland Council has welcomed this week's publication by the Scottish Affairs Committee of its report on the Crown Estate in Scotland.  The Committee took evidence from a wide range of interests, and visited Caithness last year as part of its inquiry.  
Regeneration Partnership Progress WelcomedThumbnail for article : Regeneration Partnership Progress Welcomed
The economy of Caithness & North Sutherland is well-placed to benefit from new opportunities, as it decreases its dependence on work at Dounreay.   In an address to Caithness business leaders this week, Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing praised the work of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership for making a significant contribution to securing new opportunities, investment and jobs to the area.  
Regeneration Partnership Update
Week commencing 5th March Energy: Encouraging news this week that North Highland College has been successful in attracting additional funds for its efforts to support employment opportunities.  Four programmes were offered a total of approx.  
9/3/2012
An Action Plan For Economic Development In The Highlands
The Highland Economic Forum, a partnership of public and private sector organisations chaired by Highland Council, is pursuing an initiative designed to build on the substantial employment and population growth that the region has achieved over the past ten years.   Highland's population grew by 6.1% between 2001 and 2010 (twice the Scotland growth rate), and the Moray Firth sub region achieved the second highest economic growth between 1998 and 2008 of all the areas in the UK.  
Regeneration Partnership - Latest Update
Week commencing 6th February: Energy: The Scottish Government's Energy Advisory Board met this week, and announced the recommendations of the short-life working group on planning and consenting for offshore renewable energy.  The working group, co-chaired by the Energy, Enterprise & Tourism Minister and featuring industry, regulatory bodies and The Crown Estate, has made recommendations designed to streamline the scoping, planning and consenting of offshore renewables projects.  
Regeneration Partnership Latest Update
Week commencing 30th January 2012: Energy: Good news for the local economy this week with confirmation of a further contract award for Subsea 7's Wester facility near Wick.  Congratulations to Willie Watt and his team on securing the $100 million contract to fabricate 2 pipelines for BP's Clair Ridge project.  
Caithness Voluntary Group Food Hygiene Training
Introduction to Food Hygiene Training 10.00-1.30pm, Wednesday February 22nd, at Telford House, Williamson Street, Wick.  Covering food law and HACCP, food hygiene management systems, and myths surrounding food preparation.  
Scottish Open Contributes £5.1 Million To Scotland
More than £5 million was contributed to the Scottish economy as a result of the 2011 Barclays Scottish Open, according to a study released today.  This figure includes £4 million to the economy of the Highlands and Islands.  
Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration P'ship - Update
Week commencing 16th January: Energy: Scottish Government has announced that Scrabster harbour is one of 14 sites across Scotland to become an "Enterprise Area".  Scrabster is included as one of five sites in the Low Carbon & Renewables - North grouping.  
Regeneration Partnership Manager Looks At 2011 Highlights
Eann Sinclair the Programme Manager for Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership look s back at some of the business highlights last year in Caithness.   January Staff move into the new £4M Centre for Energy & the Environment in Thurso, and begin the £3M MaREE research programme, with funding from HIE, ERDF, UHI, Scottish Funding Council.  
Caithness and North Sutherland Partnership Latest Update
Week commencing 9th January: Energy: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd has published a contract notice for the design of the subsea hub and off-shore platform proposed for the Moray Firth (in the area of the Beatrice field), to support the provision of a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea link from Caithness to the Moray/ Aberdeenshire coast.  This is a key milestone in the ongoing electricity Grid enhancement programme for the area, and the proposed timetable would see the facility built and commissioned by the end of 2014.