Innovation in the face of adversity earned Scotland's largest nuclear site a shot at Scotland's top event award. About 100 or so workers normally attend Dounreay's annual showcase event, when staff are recognised for reaching levels of excellence in their work to decommission the plant.
Another 22 young business leaders from around the Highlands and Islands have become the latest to take part in a year-long programme aimed at developing the next generation of entrepreneurs. The IMPACT30 programme is open to people aged 35 and under who are in key decision-making roles in young, ambitious businesses.
Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) has awarded two contracts worth a combined GBP11.2 million (USD15.9 million) to USA-based engineering group Jacobs for decommissioning work at the Dounreay site in Scotland. Under the contracts, Jacobs will upgrade the ventilation system at the Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) and develop the decommissioning strategy for the fast reactor fuel reprocessing plant in the Fuel Cycle Area.
Pentland Housing Association tenants are to be formally consulted on a proposed transfer to Cairn Housing Association, which will bring new investment to homes and a locked-in affordable rent guarantee, from a new combined Cairn and Pentland team in Caithness. Detailed information leaflets are being posted out and members of staff from Pentland and Cairn are aiming to personally visit every household to try and speak to residents and answer any questions they might have.
For the 5th year running HIE has joined forces with SE and SOSE to fund the RLP, which is aimed at business managers and employees from rural businesses (both private/social enterprises), who have a desire to develop their leadership skills and grow their business. In previous years farmers and land-based consultancies have dominated the cohorts, HIE are keen to promote the opportunity to rural businesses across the sectoral mix we have in our rural economy.
The shaft and silo project ‘advanced transition' work is getting underway at Dounreay. Radioactive waste was historically consigned to the 65 metre deep shaft and the silo, an underground waste storage vault, over several decades starting in the late 1950s.
The history of credit unions in USA has been one of growth over many years. The public in many states seem to have moved in greater numbers and saved even more with their local credit union.
Plans for Caithness to become the host site for a prototype generator for one of the world's most efficient, cleanest and lowest carbon forms of energy have taken a step forward. A bid to host the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion power plant was submitted by the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership (CNSRP) in March.
Thousands of hours contributed to national programme. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has thanked volunteers who have now contributed more than 25,000 hours to help deliver the national vaccination programme.
Airline suit work has restarted at Dounreay after more than a year's delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Wearing an airline suit is cumbersome and the wearer needs to be dressed and undressed by a dedicated team of helpers who then provide support throughout the task.
The mountain resort will enhance its summer offering with a new blue accessed gondola trail that, once completed, will be the UK's longest uplift accessed mountain bike trail. A new and more convenient controlled entry car parking system will also be installed for summer 2021 which will allow visitors the option to pre-purchase parking tickets online.
Twice as many low income families (under £16,000 p.a.) are not optimistic about life after lockdown compared with those earning more (over £30,000 p.a.) 57% parents are concerned about their own wellbeing or mental health in the year ahead. 65 % of parents are particularly worried about their children's social development.
Scotland's development agency for the Highlands and Islands has set out its plans to create jobs and support an inclusive and green economic recovery over the coming year. Action for Jobs and Communities is the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) operating plan for 2021-22.
IMPACT30 is a fully funded business growth programme, offering bespoke support from industry specialists. The deadline for the next round of applications is 21 June.
Virtual taster sessions are arranged for 24 June and 28 July for Pathfinder Accelerator, which is a six-month programme designed to help participants build a company or launch a new product saving time and money. Developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the programme provides fast-track training and mentoring and will be delivered completely online.
World Council of Credit Unions is excited to launch a new monthly podcast that will provide the international credit union community with an in-depth look at some of the interesting and important stories it has to tell, particularly in the areas of international advocacy, international projects, education and networking, and digital transformation. The Global Credit Union Podcast will also be telling stories about the work credit unions across the world are doing on behalf of their members.
Charlotte Wright, who has led the development agency for the past five years, has announced she plans to step down in the summer for personal reasons. In a message to staff, Ms Wright said she had taken the difficult decision to resign after a great deal of careful thought.
The latest quarterly report by the Bank of England shows UK Credit Unions continue to increase in strength. The report published on 30 April 2021 showed - Adult membership of credit unions increased in 2020 Q4 after decreasing in 2020 Q3.
This new project aims to share research and resources with credit unions in the UK and Ireland. Filene Research Institute announced an exclusive partnership with the Dublin, Ireland-based CMutual to expand research and resources available to credit unions in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Regional development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded a new framework agreement for the procurement of specialist advise to support its clients. Business advisory firm, Anderson Anderson Brown (AAB), will identify, procure and manage specialist advisors who will support HIE clients as they recover from the pandemic and meet the challenges of Brexit.