Significant Investment Commitment from NRS Dounreay and the NDA, Boosts Caithness Business Fund to Bolster Apprenticeships through New FutureSkills Initiative.
The Caithness Business Fund is celebrating a substantial investment boost of £100,000 from Focus North partners NRS Dounreay and the NDA to support the launch of FutureSkills, an apprenticeship grant scheme designed to tackle skills shortages and drive investment in new opportunities for both businesses and young people in the North Highlands.
The fund will offer eligible businesses the opportunity to access financial grant support of up to £24,500 over a maximum period of three years, towards employment and associated training costs of an apprentice. The scheme will be open to businesses that can demonstrate a strong commitment to hosting a modern apprenticeship and providing a supportive pathway. It targets SMEs with the aim of facilitating new apprenticeship opportunities to stimulate business growth and overcome potential financial barriers.
Trudy Morris, Executive Director of the Caithness Business Fund and CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, managing agent of the Fund, commented:
“We are delighted to be making this exciting announcement ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, a nationwide celebration of apprenticeships, which shines a light on the vital role work-based learning plays in supporting people, employers and the economy.”
“The North Highlands is at the cusp of transformative opportunities and as we embark on a fresh era of employment generation, we must empower our young people to lead the way in the region's innovation.”
“There is a huge appetite from both businesses and stakeholders to boost apprenticeship opportunities in the region. This new initiative will offer vital support to businesses by providing funding to establish new apprenticeships, fostering locally grown talent, addressing skills gaps, and assisting local businesses to invest in their workforce.”
“Supporting an apprenticeship also represents a sustained investment in the future of the North Highlands. By enabling individuals to advance their employment, earning, and educational prospects locally, we can help to establish a more inclusive workforce and build resilience into our local economy and communities.”
“We are delighted to have the backing of NRS Dounreay and the NDA on this initiative, which recognises the critical importance of apprentices in the workforce. The Caithness Business Fund has a strong track record of delivering on apprenticeship support and this seed funding provides an opportunity for inward investors to further contribute to the development of a strong and resilient supply chain.”
Dave Calder, Head of Sustainability and Socio Economics at NRS Dounreay, commented:
"Seeding an initiative of this nature presents a unique opportunity to not only attract participation from other large organisations who are vested in the region but also to establish a lasting legacy over the coming decades. By bolstering and enhancing the capabilities of local SMEs, we can generate a ripple effect of growth and skills generation for our region.
Jamie Reed, Director of Socio-Economics at the NDA, commented:
“Building upon the success of the Dounreay apprenticeship scheme, the prospect of extending NDA group support to encompass opportunities within the wider economy is very exciting. This support highlights our commitment as an organisation to fostering sustainable development and nurturing a vibrant and diverse business landscape for the North Highlands”
To find out more about the Caithness Business Fund and the FutureSkills apprenticeship grant scheme contact the Fund team on : Tel: 01847 500104 | Email: enquiries@caithnessbusinessfund.co.uk
Written by comms@caithnesschamber.com
Caithness Business Fund
Naver Business Centre, Naver House, Naver Road, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7QA
Registered in Scotland: SC450693
