Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Skills Grants

17th January 2005

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. Funding support ranges from 25 per cent of costs for non certificated courses to 75 per cent of costs for certificated courses.

Donna Booth, a development manager with CASE, said: "Re-establishing workplace skills and knowledge is key to finding a job. At CASE, we recognise that if you have been out of the job market for some time, you need a hand to get going again. Our funding support for people preparing for work is flexible and takes account of individual circumstances.

"Aiming for a certificated learning experience is a way of showing potential employers what you can do. People have used the individual skills development grant to gain qualifications in such diverse areas as, LGV driver, European Safety Passport, Rope Access, Hospitality Management, Offshore Standby Vessel, Advanced Scaffolding, National Pool Lifeguard qualification and many others. Around 60 per cent of the people who take up a skills grant from CASE get a job within months."

Two people who have benefited from individual skills development grants from CASE are Sheila Sutherland and Sheila Lorimer.

Sheila Sutherland took a distance learning course from Nottingham College to equip herself with the necessary technical skills to set up a soft furnishings and curtain making service in East Sutherland.

Sheila had previously been employed in a similar industry but after being made redundant she decided to get the necessary training to allow her to set up her own business advising and supplying soft furnishings or curtains to private householders as well as hotels, lodges etc.

Mrs Sutherland said: "Getting the grant from CASE for the training was a great boost, it really helped increase my confidence and gave me the encouragement I needed to set up my own business."

Sheila Lorimer previously worked as a massage therapist in the London area and after moving to Brora in Sutherland she set up a part time business offering a range of treatments.

Sheila has now become an established practitioner and has built a regular client base. She is fully trained and holds qualifications from the International Guild of Professional Practitioners and the Scottish Massage Therapist Organisation. She received an individual skills grant to undertake additional training to enhance her skills and the services she offers.

Mrs Lorimer said: "I recommend to anyone who feels they need a change of direction or who wants to take their hobby and turn it into a paying job to talk to CASE - getting the appropriate training can make the world of difference."

Both women have also benefited from CASE's business start up programme which provides support and financial assistance by providing a regular income over the first 12 months of trading - traditionally the hardest time for a fledgling company.

For more information on skills grants contact Donna on 01847 805213, e-mail donna.booth@hient.co.uk or visit http://www.hie.co.uk/case/skills_grants.htm

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower EmissionsThumbnail for article : New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower Emissions
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development.   Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.  
Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For TapestriesThumbnail for article : Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For Tapestries
The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.   This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.  
£24.5m To Secure £350m Inward InvestmentThumbnail for article : £24.5m To Secure £350m Inward Investment
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector.   A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.  
Property Demand Study Launched By Highlands and Islands Enterprisie
As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024.   Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.  
Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates JobsThumbnail for article : Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates Jobs
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years.   The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.  
Region's Businesses Value Community Links
Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands consider their links with the local community as either equal to or more important than their profitable growth.   This is one of the key findings of the most recent rural business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).  
Support Programme Takes Young Entrepreneurs To The Next Level
Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders.   The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.  
Power Boost For Off-grid Island
A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE.   The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.  
Region's Young Workforce To Take Part In Pioneering Sustainability Skills ProgrammeThumbnail for article : Region's Young Workforce To Take Part In Pioneering Sustainability Skills Programme
Region's young workforce to take part in pioneering sustainability skills programme.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Zero Waste Scotland and business transformation enterprise Powering Futures have teamed up to provide the fully-funded places on the Highlands and Islands Powering Futures Challenge 2024.  
New Facility For Renewables Industry Trainees
People working in or entering Scotland's growing renewables industry will soon have access to a new training facility in Inverness.   The £1.22m Renewable Energy Training Centre, being established by Aurora Energy Services Ltd, (AES) will be the first of its kind in the region.