News / In brief – 10 February 2010
HIE job cuts
DEVELOPMENT agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise is to reduce staffing levels by between 30 and 45 posts across the region through voluntary redundancy.
The government has already imposed funding cuts on the organisation and watered down its in supporting the regional economy, bringing it more in line with government priorities.
Chairman William Roe said: “Like any modern business or organisation, HIE is always seeking ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness. By reorganising our workforce we can reduce our overheads and target more of our budget into direct investment in ambitious businesses and communities across all parts of the Highlands and Islands, including our most fragile areas.
“Perhaps more than ever before, communities and businesses in this diverse rural region have real opportunities to be global models of excellence. We continually strive to ensure that our agency is absolutely fit for the purpose of helping them to achieve their potential.
“To do this we need to make savings in parts of our operation, and this includes our wage bill, while we continue to work on identifying those aspects of our role we need to strengthen.”
Fifty skippers
FIFTY skippers have signed up to compete in the Shetland Round Britain & Ireland Race 2010, the organising committee announced yesterday (Tuesday) after the entry deadline had passed.
The race, regarded as one of the toughest in UK waters, is being sponsored by Shetland Islands Council.
SIC business development manager Douglas Irvine said: “We are thrilled that 50 skippers will be competing in this year’s race. This is the maximum number of boats allowed, demonstrating that this one of the most popular races yet.
“We will ensure every sailor receives a warm welcome as they berth. It is a tough race and I am sure they will welcome the break as they reach the half way point.”
The race will get under way on 6 June in Plymouth with yachts expecting in the isles later that month.
Commissioner coming
THE new European fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki has said she plans to visit Scotland as soon as she can.
Ms Damanaki’s promise was welcomed by SNP Euro MP Ian Hudghton who said he wanted to show her Scotland’s efforts to conserve fish stocks.
The European Parliament yesterday voted to approve the new European Commission which will serve in office until 2014.
Mr Hudghton said: “As the EU embarks upon a wholesale review of the CFP, it is important that the European Commission is fully aware of the Scottish model.
“The new fisheries commissioner has agreed to come to Scotland in order that she can see for herself the positive work of the Scottish fishing sector.”
Part of the furniture
Scalloway man Andrew Watt has successfully completed a modern apprenticeship in furniture making with local firm Paparwark.
The 22 year old achieved the qualification through direct tuition by his employer, Cecil Tait, and through on-site assessment by David Young from Carnegie College, Dunfermline.
Mr Young said: “Andrew has completed all the training required involving a wide range of work including design, production and liaising directly with customers.”
Janice Leask, of Train Shetland, said that the furniture making apprenticeship was part of the ProSkills sector and an example of the increasingly wide range of non-traditional apprenticeships schemes researched and managed by the agency.
Businesses meet academia
SHETLAND College will be hosting an event next Wednesday (17 February) to show how businesses can benefit from collaboration with some of Scotland’s academic institutions.
David Chapman, of organisers UHI HI Links, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Shetland businesses to come along and see the facilities and expertise within Shetland College UHI and across the wider Scottish academic base.
“Having worked with and helped a number of companies in the Shetland islands already, we are looking forward to welcoming businesses from any sector which we may be able to assist.”
HI Links – part of the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands – provides the bridge between businesses and academic experts.
To register for this free event at Shetland College, people can contact Charlotte Ball on 01463 279 368, or via e-mail at charlotte.ball@uhi.ac.uk
Lamb with care
PREGNANT women have been warned to avoid close contact with sheep during the lambing season by Scotland’s chief medical officer Harry Burns.
“Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may be risking their own health and the health of their unborn child, from infections that can occur in some ewes,” he said.
“Although these infections are uncommon, and the number of human pregnancies affected by contact with sheep is extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions”
Cutting green ‘red tape’
THE SCOTTISH government has opened a consultation on removing the need for planning permission for small scale wind turbines and air source heat pumps.
At present, many homeowners are able to install equipment including solar panels and ground and water source heat pumps without planning permission.
Mike Thornton, Scottish Director of the Energy Saving Trust, said: “Micro wind turbines and air source heat pumps have the potential to play a significant role in generating sustainable energy and contributing to Scotland’s climate change targets. Permitted development rights for these technologies are an important step in reducing the barriers for their uptake.”
The consultation, which runs until 30 April 30, can be viewed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/05083644/0
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
