Business Learning Accounts
10th April 2005
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has announced the introduction of Business Learning Accounts (BLAs), targeting small businesses in the area.
Businesses across other parts of the Highlands have already used BLAs to broaden their product range, to establish a market for new crops, for specialised survey training and to diversify and establish sector "best practice".
The aim of BLAs is to act as a catalyst in changing the culture of small businesses to invest in training and skills development, clearly making the link between workforce development and business development.
CASE will provide 50 per cent of eligible costs - up to £7,500 - for individual businesses wishing to participate in this programme.
To be eligible, the business may employ up to 50 people, and be able to identify clear business growth potential and improved performance through investment in the training and learning of both managers and workers.
To help businesses to consider the options open to them, a Business Health Check will be arranged by CASE where advice, information and guidance will be made available.
Anne Sutherland, head of skills development at CASE, said: "This is a pilot programme aimed at businesses who may not previously have considered investing in skills and learning as a way of helping their business to grow and improve performance.
"We are particularly keen to hear from businesses which may not have been in touch with CASE before. The initiative will run until March 2006, but for businesses to get maximum benefit from the initiative, we need to hear from them as soon as possible, so we can get the ball rolling. We would hope that businesses would begin to see the impact of the investment by the end of the pilot year."
The Company Skills Grant is still available to businesses which are not eligible for a Business Learning Account. Businesses applying for the grant are encouraged to take a longer term view of their business skills needs and develop a year long plan.
For further information or advice on either scheme visit the website at http://www.hie.co.uk/case/skills_businesses.htm or contact CASE on telephone: 01847 896115.
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced plans to retire from the role in July. Alistair Dodds CBE has served on the HIE board for 11 years.
The funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain resort returned to service on Thursday 27 February 2025. Scotland's only funicular railway has been out of action since August 2023, while an extensive programme of remediation works has been carried out, led by contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a further £863,000 contribution to the Inverness Castle Experience project. Led by The Highland Council, the Inverness Castle Experience is a key project within the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
Highland based food and drink producers have until 28 March to enquire about a new support programme aimed at helping businesses in the sector to cut carbon emissions. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is looking for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to take part in the food and drink TechHUB Net Zero Mobilisation programme.
Ambitious plans to create a major new renewables hub in Orkney have been accelerated with a £5m grant to help take the project to the next stage. The funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will further the development of a new harbour facility for the assembly of offshore wind turbines at Scapa Flow - the largest natural harbour in the northern hemisphere.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has welcomed a new report into the economic potential of wave and tidal energy for Scotland. The study was carried out by the Policy and Innovation Group, part of the Institute for Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh (UoE).
Companies operating in Scotland's aquaculture supply chain industries are being encouraged to get involved in a major global networking opportunity. Aqua Nor is the world's premier event for the sector and a focal point for new customers and investors who are interested in Scotland.
The much-anticipated return of the funicular railway at Cairngorm Mountain will not take place in December, as had been hoped. Contractor Balfour Beatty has substantially completed an extensive remediation programme to strengthen the 1.8km viaduct, however detailed inspections have shown that further work is required in some areas.
A sand mining company in Lochaber is set to double its production and increase annual turnover by more than £2.6m. Lochaline Quartz Sand Limited (LQS) has secured up to £230,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the £855,000 costs of upgrading equipment on site.
The newly appointed head of business growth for Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) in Argyll and the Islands is to focus on expanding the agency's portfolio of business clients. Liam Orr, originally from Benderloch near Oban, took up the post in early December and leads HIE’s business growth team across an area covering Argyll and Bute, Arran and the Cumbraes.
