Week commencing 2 November 2015 Energy Business Services: HIEs Michael Koetsier and June Love hosted a successful visit from a potential inward investor last week, as progress continues to be made on opportunities related to the energy sector in the north. Tourism, Food Drink Good to see coverage in todays press of the new business venture being established in Wick.
Week Commencing 26 October 2015 Tourism, Food & Drink (Saturday 31st) sees the official launch at John O' Groats of public art works commissioned by CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and supported by Creative Scotland Lottery Fund. The works, entitled "nomadic boulders" will be officially launched at an event at the site on Saturday at 5pm.
Energy & Business Services: CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) ran an event this week as part of the Nuclear Supply Chain project which it runs jointly with Scottish Enterprise. The project aims to provide practical, independent advice and support to companies wishing to enter the nuclear supply chain for the first time, or to existing supply chain companies wishing to enhance their capabilities.
Energy & Business Services: This week has seen preparations taking place for the visit later this month of a potential inward investor to the area. A series of relevant visits have been arranged to highlight the business infrastructure in the area, and to promote existing business capabilities.
Dounreay has reached a significant milestone following commissioning of the new supercompactor at the Waste Receipt Assay Characterisation and Supercompaction facility (WRACS). The facility has now crushed its 1000th drum of low level waste since the plant's re-start in July.
Week Commencing 28th September 2015 Tourism, Food & Drink October brings two exciting events to the area - both showcasing the creative aspects of the north's natural and cultural assets. Today (Friday) and tomorrow is the Skald Festival, a celebration For more information please see https://www.facebook.com/Skald-Festival-1637298233224044/timeline/ And next weekend sees a one day Taste North event at Ackergill Tower, bringing a range of food, drink, arts, craft and artisan producers together for a series of exciting events including chefs’ demonstrations, family workshops and producers’ market.
Week Commencing 21st September 2015 Energy & Business Services It is good to note this week's coverage in the local press of the arrival of the cable-laying vessel "Siem Daya 1" in the Pentland Firth as part of Atlantis Resources Ltd's MeyGen tidal project. Following the successful completion of directional drilling for the cables that will take power from the four Phase 1A devices to the onshore Power Conversion Unit at Ness of Quoys, the laying of the cables this week marks a further milestone for the project.
The latest batch of Dounreay's newly qualified skilled workers were encouraged to make the most of the exciting opportunities and challenges ahead. This year Dounreay's new recruits are the sixtieth group of apprentices in a long line of young people joining the site's highly respected apprenticeship scheme since 1955.
A range of unusual devices have been designed and built by Dounreay's in-house design team over the years. Probing the depths of a former nuclear reactor with remotely controlled equipment isn't a simple process and requires some ingenious thinking.
Energy & Business Services The massive Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition took place in Aberdeen this week. The event, which is one of the world's largest technical events on offshore exploration and production, draws around 1,500 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from across the world.
Week Commencing 31st August 2015 Energy & Business Services As work continues to help ensure that the north is prepared to take advantage of the significant economic potential from offshore wind developments off the east coast of Caithness/ Sutherland, Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL) is holding a workshop in Wick next week with its engineering, procurement and construction contractors and CNSRP partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). https://d.adroll.com/cm/r/outhttps://d.adroll.com/cm/b/outRepresentatives from each organisation will be on hand to provide an update on the latest project information and answer any questions on the day.
Week commencing 24th August 2015 Energy & Business Services I was able to help with a visit to Caithness this week by representatives from an Aberdeen-based multi-national energy company. I introduced the representatives to some local organisations, and it was particularly good to see immediate interest in practical opportunities to do business in the area.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), in association with the Site Licence Companies (SLCs), invite you to ‘connect and innovate' at their fifth annual event. Entry is free of charge to delegates and exhibitors.
Week Commencing 17th August 2015. Energy & Business Services I was grateful for the chance to meet this week with members of Wick Harbour Authority board and Cavendish Nuclear secondee Shona Kirk to review schedules and progress with the development project that sits on the CNSRP Programme.
The PFR stone table with the inscription 'Out of Caithness to the World' will become the centre piece of the NDA Archive when it opens its doors in 2017. Construction of the new facility has begun at Wick and was officially opened by David Flear, Dounreay Stakeholder Group chairman, when he cut the first turf at an opening ceremony in August.
Week Commencing 10th August 2015 Tourism, Food & Drink There has been further excellent media coverage this week of the North Coast 500 route following triple cycling world record holder Mark Beaumont's amazing non-stop circumnavigation of the route. We watched him flash past us in Thurso on Tuesday morning on his way to completing the journey in 38 hours! As recently reported the route has been voted one of the world's top six tourist drives.
Pulteneytown People's Project is contracted to deliver The Employability Fund Programme for Skills Development Scotland (SDS). The purpose of the programme is to prepare people for employment or further training opportunities in their chosen work interest area, by supporting them to improve their knowledge and basic skills required for their chosen sector. The programme focuses on work-based knowledge, skills and experience to be gained both within our training centre and on work placements, with any relevant training needs being addressed as per each participant’s individual training plan.
Weeks commencing 27th July and 3rd august 2015 Energy & Business Services Further good coverage this week for the ongoing activity at Scrabster Harbour, which has had a record month for Oil & Gas traffic through the port. This increased level of business for Scrabster Harbour Trust is also having a welcome impact on Wick John O' Groats airport, which oil & gas crews are using for crew transfers.
A ceremonial turf cutting ceremony marked the official start of building work on the new archive that will store nuclear records from across the UK. David Flear, chairman of the Dounreay Stakeholder Group, dug into the ground at the Wick site where the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's Nuclear Archive will start to take shape over the next 12 months.
DSRL have announced the new managing director designate, Phil Craig. With more than 20 years' experience in the nuclear industry, Phil’s career has focused on supporting the UK nuclear decommissioning, defence and existing power generation sectors.
