10th August 2004
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from 808 last month to 755. The revised unemployment rates in the Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas' respectively are as follows (corresponding figures for last month are in brackets): 3.4% (3.7%), 4.4% (4.4%) and 2.4% (2.8%).
SKILLSEEKERS
463 people are currently on Skillseekers, 455 of whom are employed status trainees. There were 6 vocational qualifications achieved, including a Level II in Thermal Insulation, for Adrian Winchester from Lyth.
MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS
406 Modern Apprentices are currently in training, 116 of whom are over the age of 25. Trish Warren, Glengolly and Jane Wallace, Weydale were among the 5 trainees to achieve their Modern Apprentice certificates.
TRAINING FOR WORK
There are currently 17 participants on Training for Work. In addition to the achievement of 19 qualifications, 3 participants went into employment following their time on the programme.
NEW DEAL
50 participants started on Gateway, while a further 32 people went into a variety of employment and training options.
BUSINESS START UP
Gordon Gunn, Wick has received support towards establishing a business as a traditional fiddle music tutor, while Alistair Murray has received support to set up 'Atlantic Marketing', a consultancy business. Also assisted was Susan Ball who will provide a childminding service in Thurso.
BUSINESS SKILLS GRANT
NDS Ltd, Dornoch has received approval of up to £4,000 towards the cost of achieving IS0 9001.
E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Graham Begg Ltd, Wick and the Stable Studio, Tongue, have both received approval of assistance which will enable them to develop on-line trading facilities on the internet.
MARKETING AND CONSULTANCY
Reay Golf Club is to receive £625 towards the cost of an options appraisal study.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS
North Highland Forest Trust is to receive up to £26,656 to enable it to implement their action plan for community woodland development over the next 3 years, while Caithness Sports Council is to receive £4,500 towards the 2004/05 Excellence Awards.
Heather Jardine, a Croft Entrant, is to receive £499 to assist with a development plan for croft 47 Dalhalvaig, Forsinard, while Paul O'Brien is to receive £2,000 as the outgoer.
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Visual Arts Sutherland is to receive £2,000 towards their 'Open Studio Trail' pilot project. The objective of the group is to represent, promote and support practising visual artists resident in Sutherland with membership open to all practising visual artists - painters, sculptors, printers, photographers, digital artists and crafts people. The 'Open Studio Trail' will run in the last week of May and the first week in September 2005, and will initially focus on 9 artists and sculptor's studios.
APPROVALS FOR JULY 2004
The following are funds approved during the month ending 31st July 2004. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments. While finance may be approved, for a business investment for example, it does not guarantee that the developments will go ahead. The approval simply shows that CASE funds have been made available, but they will not be released until evidence is received that the project or activity has gone ahead.
SKILLSEEKERS - Vocational qualifications achieved
Adrian Winchester, Lyth, NTP Thermal Insulation Level II; Graham MacDonald, Harpsdale, JGC Eng. & Tech. Services Ltd, Engineering Production Level III; James Steven, Barrock, Rolls Royce, Engineering Maintenance Level III; David Kelly, Thurso, Rolls Royce, Engineering Maintenance Level III; Derek Keith, Castletown, SECTT, Installing & Commissioning Electrotechnical Systems Level III; Jamie Innes, Golspie, SECTT, Installing & Commissioning Electrotechnical Systems Level III
MODERN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME - Modern Apprenticeship certificates achieved
Jane Wallace, Weydale, ITP Solutions Ltd; Trish Warren, Glengolly, ITP Solutions Ltd; Graham MacDonald, Harpsdale, JGC Engineering & Technical Services Ltd; Derek Keith, Castletown, SECTT; Jamie Innes, Golspie, SECTT
TRAINING FOR WORK - Vocational / other qualifications achieved
Rhona MacKenzie, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL); Susan Macleod, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL; Pauline Macleod, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL; Catherine Macleod, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL; David Thompson, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL; Tina Lloyd-Jenkins, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL; Janey Ross, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL, Margaret Newlands, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL; Jane Young, Lochinver, 20/20 Clearview, ECDL; Mark McNeill, Wick, ITP Solutions Ltd, RGIT Survival; Nicolas Smith, Dunbeath, ITP Solutions Ltd, LGV Class 2; Brian Allan, Castletown, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level I; Tracey Mackenzie, Weydale, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level II; Susan Munro, Freswick, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level II; John Pilkington, Castletown, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level II; Calum Souter, Thurso, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level II; Alan Bremner, Scrabster, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level II; David Grant, Watten, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level II; David Gunn, Geise, North Highland College, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level II
Bonus payments are also paid to the Training Provider for every trainee who goes from the scheme to employment (including self-employment) or further education. The following have been reported to us as having gone on to employment/further education this month.
Elaine Shaw, Durness, 20/20 Clearview; Heather Sutherland, Durness, 20/20 Clearview; Andrew Bunn, Auckengill, 20/20 Clearview
BUSINESS START UP
Susan Ball, Thurso; Gordon Gunn, Wick, Gordon Gunn, Music Tuition; Alistair Murray, Thurso, Atlantic Marketing'
BUSINESS SKILLS GRANT
NDS Ltd, Dornoch, ISO 9001, £4,000
E-BUSINESS SUPPORT SCHEME
Graham Begg Ltd, Wick, e-commerce development, £9,900; Stable Studio, Tongue, e-commerce development, £2,870
MARKETING AND CONSULTANCY
Reay Golf Club, Reay, options appraisal consultancy, £625
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS
North Highland Forest Trust, capacity building, £26,656; Heather Jardine, Forsinard, croft development plan, £499; Paul O'Brien, Forsinard, croft non-family assignation, £2,000; Caithness Sports Council, Excellence Awards 2004/05, £4,500
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Visual Arts Sutherland, Open Studio Trail, £2,000