Extracts for the HIE Newsletter, a great source of information: HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS SKILLS REGISTER A new register to demonstrate the skills and experience of workers interested in the financial and business services industry across the Highlands and Islands has been launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Due to a number of ongoing discussions with companies interested in investing and creating jobs in the area, the agency is now looking to demonstrate the range and diversity of skills and experience which are available across the Highlands and Islands. HIE works with businesses and partners such as Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Job Centre Plus to provide information on the available workforce to potential inward investors to the region from across the world. These potential investors are looking for people who have skills across a range of subjects and disciplines, including contact centre, IT, finance, customer care, legal and healthcare. The opportunities may include both desk based and home working roles. The Skills Register will take no more than five minutes to complete and people who register will be kept up to date with the latest news and events, as well as any potential opportunities from new and growing businesses looking to develop their workforce either on site or via homeworking. Filling in the form will not guarantee a job, but HIE will use the information provided as evidence to support inward investment enquiries, and will never share personal information with third parties. The register is available HERE. FUNDING TO SUPPORT EVENTS EventScotland has announced that The National Events Programme round 21 is open to applications. The National Events Programme compliments the International Funding Programme and plays an integral role in developing domestic tourism across Scotland. Funding is available to support events that showcase Scotland and help generate tourism. Closing date for applications is 1st June 2012. Find out more HERE. SCOTTISH SEED FUND Small and Medium sized companies can access equity finance through the Scottish Seed Fund (SSF). SSF is managed by the Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) and is designed to improve the availability of finance for start-up and young growing companies in Scotland. The SSF can invest between £20,000 and £250,000 on an equity basis in early stage businesses that meet the SSF criteria and are keen to grow. Find out more HERE. INVESTING IN IDEAS Investing in Ideas awards grants of £500 to £10,000 to community groups, local authorities and social enterprises etc to test and develop ideas that could eventually become projects or lead to improved service delivery within Scotland’s communities. Investing in Ideas could pay for the things that can turn basic ideas into a well-planned project, this can include market research, feasibility studies, business planning, exchange visits in the UK, community consultation etc. Find out more HERE. VOLUNTEERING DEVELOPMENT GRANT The Volunteering Development grant offers a small grant of up to £10,000 to charities that want to improve and develop their capacity to involve volunteers. The grant is available to registered charities who do not currently involve volunteers to any significant extent or already involve volunteers but want to improve and develop their capacity to deploy and support volunteers. The grant could be used to increase the hours of an existing staff member or buy in support to help develop volunteering opportunities and practices. It could also be used to pay for volunteer expenses and training for staff, committee and volunteers. Deadline for applications is 8th June 2012. Find out more HERE. Live Unltd is launching their Summer of Social Action Campaign and are on the hunt to find young people who want to make a difference! The deadline for applications for this campaign is 31st May 2012. LIve Unltd support young people to run inter-generational projects, start sports, arts, environmental and community projects; projects to address bullying, isolation and much more. Some of their award winners start their own sustainable social enterprises. All projects and enterprises are run by the young people themselves (those under 18 will need an advisor who can be a teacher, youth worker, parent or similar). For examples of projects please see: www.liveunltd.com Who can apply? Individuals or small informal groups leading their own idea. Applicants must be aged 11-21 and live in the UK. They can’t accept applications made on behalf of organisations such as youth clubs or schools. Applications to Live UnLtd must · Show how the project will have a positive social impact on the applicant’s community · Have identified a problem and show how the project will tackle the problem · Explain what specific activities the project/enterprise includes and what it hopes to achieve · Show how the project provides a learning experience or opportunity for the applicant Why should 11-21 year olds apply to Live UnLtd? Receiving an award allows individuals to use their creativity and learning in a hands-on way which may enhance their CVs. They can also help erase the negative stereotypes associated with ‘youth culture’ in the media today while making their world a better place. What can they apply for? The costs of running projects. For example: venue hire, equipment costs, marketing materials, travel and volunteering expenses. Unfortunately they cannot fund academic qualifications or pay for applicants’ time or living expenses.
How do people apply? Applicants need to fill in an enquiry form. This can be found at www.liveunltd.com Social enterprises, charities and local enterprise partnerships have been invited to bid for more than £23.7m of funding available in 2012 from the government’s new Coastal Communities Fund, aimed at promoting regeneration in seaside towns. Coastal communities across the United Kingdom will receive a multi-million pound boost each year from a new Coastal Communities Fund, the Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has announced. This new fund will be financed by the Government through the allocation of funding equivalent to 50 per cent of the revenues from the Crown Estate’s marine activities. This new fund is designed to support the economic development of coastal communities and will support a wide range of projects, including those that support charities, the environment, education and health. Examples could include support for developing renewable energy, improving skills or environmental safeguarding or improvement. The fund will be linked to the revenues that are raised by the Crown Estate’s marine activities each year. For example, in April 2012 there will be £23.7 million available in the Coastal Communities Fund, this is based on a 50 per cent share of the £47.4 million revenue raised by the Crown Estate’s marine activities in 2010-11. For each country of the UK, the funds available will be directly linked to the revenues raised by the Crown Estate’s marine activities from that area, with separate funding for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Highlands and Islands and the rest of Scotland. The fund will be available on a bid basis and the Government is in discussion with the Big Fund, part of the Big Lottery Fund, about the detailed terms on which they could deliver the funds to communities. The Big Lottery’s Big Fund has a wealth of experience and expertise in delivering funding and is well placed to distribute Coastal Communities Funding, on behalf of the Government. The Government will also liaise with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said: ‘This new funding shows that the Government is committed to supporting coastal communities and ensuring that they benefit from the revenue that our coasts and the Crown Estate produce. I know that coastal communities play a vital role in wellbeing of the whole country and I am glad that we can provide support for them through this new fund and ensure that they continue to benefit the whole of the UK.’ Speaking from Stornoway, the Chief Secretary, Danny Alexander said: ‘I am delighted to announce a new multi-million pound fund that will support coastal communities across the UK. Coastal Communities share a strong sense of place and it is only fair that we share the Crown Estate’s revenues equally. We welcome innovative bids from charities, businesses, social enterprises and local organisations, which support the economic development of the community.’ Speaking from Thanet, Economic Secretary, Justine Greening, said: ‘It’s great to be here to see how a significant part of the Crown Estate’s marine activity, which already contributes to the local economy, will play a role in the creation of this new fund. Every coastal community in the UK will have the chance to bid for a share to help them with projects that will have a real and lasting impact on the local economy.’ The Fund will open for business in April 2012. Further details on how to apply to the Fund will be published shortly. The Coastal Communities Fund is UK wide and will be worth 50 per cent of the gross revenues from the Crown Estate’s marine activities. Further details of how to apply will be announced shortly. The definition of a coastal community, for the purposes of the Coastal Communities Fund, is defined as any coastal settlement within a local authority whose boundaries include UK foreshore, including local authorities whose boundaries only include estuarine foreshore. The fund will be directly linked to the revenue raised in each country. In April 2012 the fund will be broken down as follows: Search Planning Resource: LINK HM Treasury News: LINK Modern Apprenticeship Programme for 16-19 year olds fully funded under Skills Development Scotland 10/27/2011
JB Management are contracted by Skills Development Scotland to provide Modern Apprenticeships for 16-19 year old employees in: Business and Administration Level 2 Business and Administration Level 3 IT Level 3 Occupational Health and Safety Level 3 Construction Level 2 Modern Apprenticeships are an ideal way to further develop the skills of your 16-19 year old existing employees within their existing role and they are fully funded by Skills Development Scotland. We offer a recruitment service at no charge if you would like to recruit a 16-19 year old into your company and register onto the Modern Apprenticeship Programme. Plus we offer up to a £400.00 bonus on completion of the NVQ/SVQ. The National Minimum wage for an Apprentice is £2.63 an hour! Find the benefits of the Modern Apprenticeship programme and process listed below. If you would like to discuss further please call Lisa Campbell on 01292 886664. Benefits of a work based qualification:
Finance Assistant 01292 886664 www.jb-management.com The Investment Surgeries are an opportunity for you to meet Creative Scotland staff who will be able to give you face-to-face tailored assistance with your inquiries about the Investment Programmes. They will be held around the country and will be scheduled regularly. Before you attend the Investment surgery they ask ask that you read the guidelines associated with the Investment Programme in which you are interested. To book an appointment at an investment surgery (up to 20 minute slots), please email pmo@creativescotland.com stating which surgery you wish to attend. 15 September 4 - 6pm Eden Court Theatre, Inverness 16 September 12 - 2pmMacphail Centre, Ullapool If you wish to drop in, rather than booking space, please email pmo@creativescotland.com to query if there will be a drop-in allocation for your surgery.  And for anyone planning on attending this event why not join us for some breakfast first? SIgn up online for this free event: http://hisezbreakfast.eventbrite.com/ Scotland's third sector has been given a 'massive boost' with the launch of two new programmes to help enterprising organisations grow and operate more efficiently. The Just Enterprise programme and the Enterprise Growth Fund are accessed through a new online access point at www.justenterprise.org.uk Just Enterprise business support is available for social entrepreneurs and Enterprising Third Sector Organisations. A range of support from a telephone advisory service, one to one development support, business consultancy and workshops, learning programmes and leadership courses are available. Just Enterprise will deliver business support and learning services across Scotland and will integrate for the first time, start up, business support and learning and development services. Successful applicants to the programme will receive a range of support including client management advisory services, feasibility studies, business planning, marketing, financial management and developing the sustainability of an Enterprising Third Sector. Finance Secretary John Swinney launched the programmes on Monday 18th July at the offices of Specialisterne in Glasgow. The social enterprise, which trains people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, has built the online access point for both programmes. Mr Swinney said: "Social enterprises, voluntary organisations and community organisations play an important part in Scottish society. They can deliver superb services, from creating employment opportunities to connecting with most the vulnerable people in our society. " These two new programmes will work closely together to make sure that the organisations we fund benefit from appropriate business support. Gerry Higgins, CEiS Chief Executive Officer, said: “An Enterprising Third Sector deserves high-quality business support and learning services delivered by those that understand the sector. Just Enterprise will provide scaled-up, joined up business development services for Enterprising Third Sector Organisations across Scotland. Our goal is net growth for the sector. That means increasing the number of new organisations and the value of existing organisations. Just Enterprise is delighted the Scottish Government has continued to support the sector through the launch of this initiative.” The Wise Group with partners CEiS, DSL and the Social Value Lab, has been awarded the contract to manage and administer a £4 million Scottish Government Fund to support Growth and development of the Third Sector in Scotland. Enterprise Growth Fund will be awarding grants between £25,000 and £200,000 to support long term objectives. Awards will be made to those organisations that demonstrate the greatest potential for growth and sustainability. The fund will invest in organisational services and structures and will be open to applications from late August. For more information call 0141 303 3131. For further information on Just Enterprise and the Enterprise Growth Fund and to apply for support, visit our website at www.justenterprise.org.uk Just Enterprise & Growth Fund Launced! 07/18/2011
Scotland's third sector has been given a 'massive boost' with the launch of two new programmes to help enterprising organisations grow and operate more efficiently.The £3 million Just Enterprise programme will deliver a wide range of business support to social entrepreneurs and third sector organisations across Scotland. It will lead to the creation of an online hub where organisations can go for support and assistance.A further £4 million pounds will be provided through the Enterprise Growth Fund...read more | eZone
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