Advisory / Counseling Services News

HIE Network Announces Results For 2004 - 05

The economy of the Highlands and Islands is continuing to improve, with unemployment showing a steady downward trend while population levels are rising.   That was the message today (Thursday 26 May) from William Roe, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  

Natural Produce Set To Clean Up On-Line

Busy bees can now get on with the housework, safe in the knowledge they can do so in an environmentally-friendly manner, thanks to the products of a new Caithness business.   Kristin Douglas has set up Wax Nostalgic Ltd, based at her home in Halkirk, through which she will produce a range of handmade, environmentally-friendly, products for use around the home, available from her website at http://www.waxnostalgic.co.uk The range will include furniture polish, leather and wood care products, antibacterial and antifungal and general cleaning sprays, all made with a very high content of natural materials such as bees wax, organic and non-organic essential oils, pure vegetable oils and resins.  

CASE Approvals List - March 2005

The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month.   Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.  

Geddes Windows Lands £6million Contract For 24,000 Windows

Geddes Window Systems Ltd, part of the D M Geddes Group based in Halkirk, Caithness has secured a substantial contract for the supply of timber windows to Your Homes Newcastle.   The organisation employs 100 workers between its factory and construction interests.  

CASE Approvals List - February 2005

The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month.   Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments.  

CASE Invests £2.6 million In AEAT Battery Systems

AEAT Battery Systems Limited (ABSL) in Thurso has embarked on an ambitious development project, with help from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) and supported by the Scottish Executive - which could ultimately result in additional jobs at the company's Thurso plant, Denchi House.   The new development will safeguard ABSL's existing 150 employees in Thurso and once technology from the latest research and development projects is proven and commercialised, the company expect the workforce to increase significantly.  

Three New Board Members For CASE

The board of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has been strengthened with the appointment of three new directors, who attended their first board meeting this week (Tuesday 1st March).   Joining the Local Enterprise Company's board are Steve Burness, Alexander Murray and Iain Young.  

Skills Grants

People in Caithness and Sutherland who aren't working or who work part time and want to move into full time employment are being encouraged by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) to take up an individual skills development grant.   CASE offers help, advice and funding - up to £750 a year depending on circumstances - to people who can't find work or who are working part-time and want to improve their job prospects.  

Robert Goes Up In The World

Caithness man Robert Miller has moved up in the world, starting his own business, RWM Training, providing on-site training and testing on fork lift trucks, telescopic handlers and cherry pickers.   Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has assisted Robert to set up RWM Training with a business start-up grant of £3,600 paid in 12 monthly instalments.  

New Directors For CASE

The chairman of Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE), Pat Buchanan, long with chief executive Carroll Buxton, welcomed three new directors to the local enterprise company's board yesterday (Tuesday 14th December).   The three new members are David Halpin, who lives in Dornoch; Willie Calder from Thurso and Nick Gorton, based in Lochinver.