Get all the latest news from the Chamber and our members in the August 2019 edition of our newsletter in Executive Magazine! Click the image below to open the newsletter in an online PDF viewer.
North Highland College UHI and Developing the Young Workforce North Highland (DYW) initiative, led by Caithness Chamber of Commerce, have signed a partnership agreement to formalise their new initiative, The Apprenticeship Hub.
The initiative aims to create a collaborative approach between North Highland College UHI and Developing the Young Workforce North Highland to support growth in the apprenticeship family to benefit the Caithness and Sutherland economy.
Principal of North Highland College UHI, Donald MacBeath, said: “The College has played an active role in the Developing the Young Workforce North Highland since its inception. The strength of the partnership working between college staff and local employers is already evident in the year-on-year growth in the number and range of apprenticeship opportunities we provide, with over 150 apprentices currently enrolled with us in disciplines such as Engineering, Care, Business, Hospitality, Gamekeeping and Hairdressing. I look forward to seeing further new and exciting apprenticeship opportunities being developed and promoted through the new Apprenticeship Hub.”
The agreement was signed at the North Highland College UHI open evening and exam results drop in session at the Thurso Campus. Lecturers and student services teams were on hand offering advice and guidance to school leavers, those returning to education, employers and young people looking for information on modern apprenticeships.
The new initiative, supported and welcomed by Mr Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Skills and Fair Work said: “I was pleased to hear about the successful open evening at North Highland College and the important partnership between themselves and Developing the Young Workforce North Highland. The new apprenticeship hub will provide vital advice and support to young people in this region, helping them to understand their available options and allowing them to pursue the right path for them.“
Jamie continued, “Developing the Young Workforce is Scotland’s youth employment strategy, with the main aim being to reduce youth unemployment levels by 40% by 2021. I’m delighted to say this target was achieved – four years ahead of schedule. Going forward we are committed to strengthening partnerships across the country to sustain and build on this progress.”
The partners in the Hub will work together to coordinate and grow Work Based Learning pathways, engaging with employers to help simplify the apprenticeship offer and demonstrate a return on their investment in the skills system.
Caithness Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Trudy Morris said: “Two of the key objectives for the DYW initiative are to boost employment and work experience opportunities in the region, and to strengthen partnerships between businesses and education providers.
“Ensuring that employers throughout the North Highlands have a clear understanding of the benefits offered by the apprenticeship family and engaging with them to increase the uptake of apprenticeships of all types is key to meeting these goals and to ensuring that young people throughout the region have access to the employment and skills development opportunities they need.”
North Highland College UHI is one of thirteen academic partners of the University in the Highlands and Islands providing college and university courses across the north Highlands region.
The Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) for the North Highlands & Islands has just finished a successful summer programme of drop-in events at libraries and community facilities around the region.
Over the course of July, the EDIC team travelled to Dornoch, Kirkwall, Thurso, Tongue and Wick to host drop-in sessions for anyone with questions or concerns about Europe and Brexit. The team’s focus this year was on reaching EU citizens with concerns about their rights after Brexit.
Thanks to support from the EU Citizens Rights Project Scotland, in addition to their usual materials the EDIC team had a handy series of factsheets covering everything from residency rights to healthcare.
Trudy Morris, EDIC Manager, said:
“It has been another period of political upheaval, with the EU Parliamentary Elections and the recent appointment of a new Prime Minister in the UK. While it remains too early to say what these changes might mean for the Brexit process, we have to assume that – deal or no deal – the UK remains on course to leave the European Union on 31 October.
“It is vitally important that EU citizens living in Scotland understand fully what their rights will be post-Brexit, and what they need to do with the Settled Status scheme to ensure they retain these rights. Our team will be on hand at our drop-in centre in Thurso to answer any queries that EU citizens might have as the Brexit process continues.”
The EDIC drop-in centre is based out of Naver Business Centre in Thurso and is open from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. The EDIC team can also be contacted on 01847 500108 or europedirect@caithnesschamber.com
Caithness this week played host to Chief Executives from Chambers across Scotland, as Caithness Chamber hosted the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executives Forum for the first time. As well as the meeting itself, the two-day excursion saw the visitors treated to a tour of the county and a sample of what the area has to offer.
The Forum gives an opportunity for the Chief Executives of Chambers around Scotland to come together and discuss the issues affecting all businesses, as well as to share the unique challenges and opportunities they each face in their respective areas.
Despite it being the height of holiday season, the Chief Executives were keen to make the effort to take time out to travel to Caithness to help them better understand the issues faced by businesses in the region.
The whistle-stop tour of the county, carried out in style in a minibus provided by Blargoans, started with a private tour of the Castle of Mey, with the Chief Executives inspired by the sensitive treatment of the history and heritage of the Castle.
The visitors were then treated to a tour of the Dunnet Bay Distillers distillery and visitor centre. The Chief Executives were highly impressed at the scale and rapid growth of the business, as well as the quality of the product and visitor experience. The tour was then rounded off with a quick visit to the famous signpost at John O’Groats – a quintessential part of the Caithness visitor experience.
The day was rounded off with a top-notch meal at Mackays Hotel, followed by an early night prior to the main business of the meeting on Tuesday. As a parting gift, the visiting Chief Executives were presented with a goody bag containing samples of Rock Rose Gin, Ice & Fire Distillery “Caithness Raiders” Rum, and chocolates from CoCo Campervans – Chocolatier.
Val Russell, Chief Executive of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Chief Executives Forum said: “Despite the weather, a wonderfully well organised visit with great hospitality, exposing us to the best of what the area has to offer both in products and tourism attractions. We met some truly inspirational members of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, who gave us a warm welcome. Many of us will be returning for a longer visit.”
Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase some of the best of what this area has to offer. We really appreciate the Chief Executives of Chambers from across Scotland taking the time out of their busy schedules to come to Caithness and see firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with doing business in the North Highlands.”
The latest Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) Quarterly Economic Indicator survey for Q2 of 2019 shows businesses continuing to face difficulties due to prolonged uncertainty around the UK’s position in relation to the European Union. This along with rising business costs and a global economic slowdown are factors discouraging businesses from investing or expanding in Scotland.
- On Wage Increases: Every sector in the survey increased wages over the quarter apart from retail, showing that firms are having to pay more to retain the talent as the supply of skilled workers eases.
- On Cost Rises: The majority of sectors have reported rising costs pressures from raw material prices and from overheads related to Brexit preparations. 64% of manufacturing firms and 52% of construction firms listed rising raw material prices as their top cost pressure.
- On Brexit: Manufacturing has faced the biggest impact from Brexit uncertainty as stockpiling in Q1 means capacity utilisation was at its lowest level in ten years.
Nevertheless, Scottish companies are getting on with the day job and demonstrating resilience in the face of persistent challenges. Overall business confidence has made a slight recovery on Q1 when the UK faced a cliff-edge Brexit but is generally lower than the same period last year.
Commenting on the results, Tim Allan, Chairman of the Scottish Business Advisory Group and President of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Businesses are weighing the costs of the chaos caused by more dithering over Brexit and the burden is severe. Our members are crying out for the return of some sanity as they undertake the important role of creating jobs and paying taxes.
“Whoever the next Prime Minister will be, they must take brisk action to unlock investment and instil confidence back into the UK economy. Scottish businesses need to see steps being taken to avoid a disorderly Brexit and a responsible consensus reached as soon as possible on the Brexit process with the European Union.”
On the UK’s Exit from the European Union, Tim Allan, said:
“Since the initial cliff edge Brexit of 29th of March, the pressure on firms has eased slightly but the underlying trends point to an economy running on fumes. The majority of firms for all sectors in the survey are putting off investment and say this trend will continue over the summer months. All are desperate for some kind of resolution to Brexit before the October 31st deadline.
“A future government must be quick out of the blocks to work with the business community in tackling some of the most pressing problems holding back investment, growth and productivity.”
On Investment, Tim Allan, said:
“Companies in Scotland are facing a barrage of challenges including rising costs and recruitment difficulties. They remain extra cautious about investment which is bedding in risk that the Scottish economy will suffer in the medium and long term.
“In the majority of sectors, we are seeing investment being put on hold and firms are saying that they expect that to continue in the next quarter. When firms are having to hold back on investment decisions, it delays major projects, growth, and limits overall productivity of the economy.”
On Recruitment, Tim Allan, said:
“Although some sectors are reporting fewer difficulties finding staff relative to recent quarters, businesses continue to report persistent challenges in recruitment. Over 80% of tourism firms are attempting to recruit staff, with nearly 70% of these firms facing difficulties in doing so.
“Recent research has shown that 2018 was the first year since 2007 that the number of EU nationals in employment in Scotland fell. We would urge the UK Government to ensure that the future immigration system takes into consideration the necessity for firms in Scotland to be able to access talent as efficiently and seamlessly as possible.
“Our members also want to see public and private investment into ongoing learning and continuous professional development to ensure Scotland’s workforce is fully skilled at all levels of their career.”
On Exporting and International Business, Tim Allan, said:
“Manufacturing has faced the biggest impact from Brexit uncertainty as stockpiling in Q1 means capacity utilisation was at its lowest level in ten years in the most recent survey.
“Domestic and export sales declined and remain below trend as exchange rate volatility added to cost pressures. We must pull out all the stops to make the most of Scotland’s future exporting potential and attract investment from abroad, helping to limit any impact of Brexit and maximise Scotland’s economic output.”
Professor Graeme Roy, Director at the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, said:
“With unemployment at a near record low in Scotland, the survey is starting to pick up evidence of pay pressures on the rise. Many sectors also noted increasing recruitment difficulties. This seems to be a particular issue for some sectors. For example, among tourism firms, 7 out of 10 recruiting firms reported challenges, with more than half of firms in manufacturing facing similar issues.”
With much uncertainty remaining around Brexit, and the deadline date of 31 October fast approaching, the Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) for the North Highlands & Islands is aware that many across the region still have concerns about how Brexit will impact them.
To help address these concerns and provide the most up-to-date information on the current state of play with Brexit, the EDIC team will be hosting a series of drop-in events across the North Highlands & Islands over the course of July.
These events will be open to anyone with concerns or questions about Brexit or other European issues, and will take place from 10:00-16:00 on the following dates:
- 3 July 2019 – Wick, East Caithness Community Facility
- 5 July 2019 – Thurso, Thurso Library
- 10 July 2019 – Kirkwall, Orkney Library
- 17 July 2019 – Tongue, Tongue Hall
- 29 July 2019 – Dornoch, Dornoch Library
No registration is required, just drop in on the day to meet the team and find out more. Anyone looking for more information, or who has concerns but is unable to attend one of the events, can contact the EDIC team direct on europedirect@caithnesschamber.com or by calling 01847 500108.
Get all the latest news from the Chamber and our members in the May 2019 edition of our newsletter in Executive Magazine! Click the image below to open the newsletter in an online PDF viewer.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has promoted Charandeep Singh to the new role of Deputy Chief Executive as the business group focuses on growing the reach of the Scottish Chamber Network nationally and internationally.
Charandeep will take on the newly created role with immediate effect. Continuing to work closely with Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Director & Chief Executive of SCC, he will focus on strategy development and implementation, raising and profiling the views of the business community to decision makers and expanding commercial opportunities for the Scottish Chamber Network.
He has worked with SCC for six years, most recently as its Head of External Relations.
Commenting on the appointment, Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Director & Chief Executive, said:
“Our Network is growing and strengthening its position to promote the interests of Scottish business nationally and internationally. To achieve this growth and deliver for our members, investing in the talent of our team is critical to the success of the Chamber Network and the business community.
“I am delighted to appoint Charandeep to the post of Deputy Chief Executive where he will bring his utmost dedication and entrepreneurial zeal to supporting the growth of the Scottish business community. This promotion is testament to his contributions, as well as the future growth ambitions of the Chamber Network.”
Commenting on his appointment, Charandeep Singh, said:
“This is an exciting new role which I am honoured to take on. In the midst of political uncertainty and economic challenges, a strong business-led Chamber Network has never been more important. I am absolutely committed to raising the voice of business to decision makers, making sure that business communities in Scotland are thriving.”
The Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) for the North Highlands & Islands, hosted by Caithness Chamber of Commerce, held a well-attended business breakfast at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Friday 1 March to give businesses across the region the latest information on what they should be doing to prepare for Brexit.
Featuring speakers from the Local Export Partnership for the Highlands & Islands, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, and Enterprise Europe Network, the event was attended by representatives of a range of local businesses.
The strong message on the day was the need for businesses to prepare for the possibility of a “no deal” Brexit. All of the speakers emphasised that businesses trading with the EU should as a minimum apply for an Economic Operator and Registration Indicator (EORI) number, and that those importing goods should register for HMRC’s new Transitional Simplified Procedure for import VAT.
Other issues and actions discussed on the day included the challenges to the labour market, particularly for businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector, and the difficulty of pricing future contracts given potential changes to tariffs and the value of the pound.
Speakers also signposted the resources available to businesses to help them prepare, including the Customs Training and IT Grants Scheme, prepareforbrexit.scot, and the Skills for Growth service.
The event was also livestreamed on Facebook to allow businesses across the region to take part, and the archived video can be viewed online at facebook.com/edicnhi. In addition, all of the presentations from the day have been made available at slideshare.net/CaithnessChamberofCommerce/