Trudy Morris, CEO, Caithness Chamber of Commerce: Find the Perfect Fit for your Firm.
As the year draws to a close, with Christmas fast approaching and the holidays in sight, it’s incredible to see the 2025 calendar already filling up fast. We’re delighted to kick off the new year with Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them—the county’s premier jobs, training, and recruitment event. Mark your calendars for Saturday, 8th February 2025, when this exciting event returns to UHI ETEC, Thurso.
People truly are a business’s greatest asset, and attracting top talent is crucial to building a resilient and dynamic workforce. This event provides a fantastic platform for employers to connect with potential candidates and highlight the breadth of opportunities available in our region. It also offers attendees valuable insights into the skills and qualifications businesses need now and in the future. Open to all, the event is ideal for school leavers, career changers, those returning to work, or anyone seeking inspiration to find their dream job.
As the hosts of DYW North Highland, Caithness Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping young people realise their full potential. The saying “You can’t be what you can’t see” highlights the importance of role models in expanding horizons and inspiring the next generation. Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them is the perfect platform for this, helping young people and job seekers connect with the opportunities that shape their futures.
Our region is on the brink of transformative opportunities, and we are entering an exciting new era of employment generation. Expanding the local pool of skilled workers remains a top priority for the Chamber and our partners at Focus North. One way we’re driving this forward is through the Caithness Business Fund apprenticeship grant scheme and the FutureSkills initiative – which launched in February with thanks to significant support from NRS Dounreay, the NDA, and the West of Orkney Windfarm. Since January 2024, the Fund has helped 11 local businesses create 12 new apprenticeship opportunities—an outstanding achievement that highlights the commitment of local employers to invest in their people and the region’s future.
Apprenticeships play a vital role in creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, equipping them with lifelong skills and supporting their career growth. Every apprenticeship opportunity available in the North Highlands represents a tangible and meaningful pathway for a young person to live, learn, and work in our region and stay part of their own community.
If your business is considering hiring an apprentice or looking to grow and invest in your workforce, the Chamber is here to help. Reach out to our team to explore how we can support your goals.
We wish all our members and the wider business community a blessed Christmas and look forward to welcoming everyone to Caithness Jobs and How to Get Them in the new year!
Ryan Pollard, Managing Director, RDI Renewables
Business Insight, Ryan Pollard, Managing Director, RDI Renewables
From utilising sustainable business practices to providing local employment opportunities, RDI Renewables is spearheading the growth of the green energy sector in North Scotland.
At RDI Renewables, we genuinely believe that innovation and teamwork are essential for creating a better future for generations to come. The UK must meet European targets to reduce our carbon footprint, and as a country, we have an international obligation to lead the way. Sustainable energy solutions and renewable technologies, such as heat pumps, play a significant role in this transition, but it requires skilled workers to bring these solutions to life.
Our business began ten years ago in Thurso with just a couple of vans and a small team. However, as the industry expanded and our business grew, we faced challenges in recruiting enough staff.
To address this issue, we decided to invest in apprentices who work alongside our more experienced employees. Our first apprentice, Ryan Simpson, has been with me for ten years and has become the strongest member of my team. We now employ 13 people, with each department comprising both seasoned professionals and capable trainees at various stages of their apprenticeships.
When we take on a young person—often fresh out of school—we train and mentor them, investing four years into their development. Ultimately, this results in a highly skilled tradesperson. Our hope is that by investing in youth and attracting established tradespeople, we will not only nurture local talent but also strengthen the community and pave the way for a brighter, greener future for the North of Scotland.
Our newest apprentice, 17-year-old Alex, is in his first year at UHI and started his apprenticeship in February. He alternates between classroom instruction and practical experience. This opportunity has allowed Alex to begin a career in the renewable energy sector and secure a meaningful, well-paying job in a community he loves.
We are incredibly grateful to the Caithness Business Fund for supporting our new apprentices through the FutureSkills initiative. This Fund provides business support and financial assistance, helping to improve access to apprenticeships for small and medium enterprises, ensuring that businesses of all sizes are equipped with the necessary skills for now and the future.
Supporting an apprenticeship represents a sustained investment in the future of our region. We have built a fantastic team at RDI Renewables, and we take enormous pride in offering these opportunities in our local area.
Are you looking for opportunities to upskill your staff and make your business more effective? Or perhaps you’re considering gaining professional qualifications for yourself or embarking on a new career?
Why not join UHI North, West and Hebrides this January, where there are numerous learning opportunities tailored to suit your needs.
More Possibilities
UHI North, West and Hebrides offer flexible and inclusive learning opportunities at all levels, including part-time and online courses that fit around your work schedule. Many of their courses are accessible across ALL of their rural and island communities, and beyond. With 15 years of experience in online learning and on-campus face-to-face delivery, UHI North, West and Hebrides ensure a high-quality educational experience for all students.
More Choice
Their wide range of learning opportunities cater to diverse needs and levels, ensuring that you can find the right course for your professional or personal development. Whether you’re advancing in your career or exploring something new, their flexible programmes fit around your other commitments in life and work.
More Support
Their friendly, professional teams are committed to providing a personalised and supportive experience for every student. No matter where you choose to study—from home, your workplace, or in-person—you’ll feel like part of a close-knit college and university community.
Looking to Upskill, Reskill, or Change Careers?
A variety of part-time courses are available, designed to help you progress in your current job or transition to a new career. From Bookkeeping to Energy Modelling for Business, you’d be surprised at the diverse options available locally. Browse Part-Time Courses
Want to study something new for enjoyment?
It’s never too late to learn something new! Their range of short courses includes exciting options like learning Gaelic or getting “Gig Ready.” Explore Short Courses
Interested in Postgraduate Study?
As an academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands, UHI North, West and Hebrides offer a variety of postgraduate study options. Many of these programmes are available to study online, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, making it easier for you to fit postgraduate studies into your life and work. Learn More About Postgraduate Opportunities
UHI North, West and Hebrides also offers bespoke training programmes for your business through their Enterprise team business.nwh@uhi.ac.uk.
Take a look at all the options available this January and discover how UHI North, West and Hebrides can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Explore Courses and Programmes available here
MCR Pathways is an award-winning national charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people, including those in care, young carers, and individuals facing instability. Through its school-based mentoring programme, the organisation pairs young people with fully-trained volunteer mentors to help them achieve equality in education, career opportunities, and life chances.
The impact of mentoring:
- 83% of mentored students progress to college, university, or employment, compared to 62% of non-mentored peers.
- 72% of mentored students stay on in school, compared to 50% of non-mentored students.
Becoming a mentor is simple and life-changing—for both the mentor and the mentee. Mentors volunteer just one hour a week, during term time, at a local school. Training and support are provided to ensure a strong and meaningful connection.
If you have empathy, an open mind, and a willingness to listen, you can make an extraordinary difference. Your guidance could transform a young person’s future, helping them unlock their full potential.
For more information, visit mcrpathways.org and start your journey to becoming a mentor today.
Exciting progress continues at Sutherland Spaceport, as Orbex move closer to establishing the UK’s first vertical launch spaceport on the north coast of Scotland. Work packages for Phases 3 and 4 of construction are now open for tender, marking another key milestone in the development of this state-of-the-art facility.
Sutherland Spaceport will play a crucial role in the UK’s space industry, supporting environmentally sustainable launches and fostering innovation in satellite technology. This is your chance to contribute to a pioneering project that will position Scotland at the forefront of the global space sector.
The following trade packages are currently open for tender:
• Earthworks & Excavations
• Concrete Foundations and Slab
• Reinforcement to Concrete Items
• Drainage
• Steel Frame (supply only, install only, or supply and install)
• Roof and Wall Cladding
• Gutters, Downpipes, and Superstructure Drainage
• External Doors
• Windows
• Roller Shutter Doors
• Mechanical Installations (e.g., plumbing, ventilation, heating)
• Electrical Installations (e.g., lighting, power, data)
• Fencing
• External Concrete (similar to concrete foundations and slab)
If you’re interested in applying or would like more information, please contact Bryan McGhie by 29th November at bmcghie@nascentcc.co.uk
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the development of this exciting project!
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems
- Funded by Air Command – Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO)
- The total possible funding available for this competition is £4 million (excluding VAT)
- Competition closes at midday 14 January 2025 (GMT)
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems. Run on behalf of Air Command – Rapid Capabilities Office, this competition seeks proposals that can develop new, or adapt existing, air systems software applications to comply with the PYRAMID Reference Architecture (PRA).
PYRAMID is a UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) initiative to develop time and cost efficient avionics and mission systems to deliver operational advantage. PYRAMID is suitable for both future air systems and legacy systems.
This DASA Competition will give you the opportunity to align new, or modify existing programmes to demonstrate compliance with PYRAMID. This approach not only offers numerous benefits but also improves compatibility with major air programmes.
Learn more about PYRAMID in the full competition document.
Key dates and funding
The total possible funding available for this competition is £4 million (excluding VAT). We expect to fund a number of proposals.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday 14 January 2025 (GMT).
Do you have an innovation? Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.
Supporting events
Launch Webinar
On Thursday 14 November, join us for a competition launch webinar; providing further detail on the challenge area and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page.
Please attend the launch webinar or reach out to your local Innovation Partner if you have questions on DASA’s application process.
1-2-1 Sessions
A series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific technical questions to the competition team in a closed forum. Registration details for these sessions can be found in the competition document.
Get up to speed with all the details by reading the full competition document.
Submit a proposal
Do you have a novel idea that can benefit end-users working in UK Defence and Security? Read the full competition document to learn more and submit a proposal.
On Thursday, 12th September 2024, the highly anticipated Caithness Chamber of Commerce 50th Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony took-place at the Norseman Hotel, Wick. This prestigious event has become a cornerstone of the local business calendar, annually attracting the region’s most prominent business figures. In honour of this milestone, the evening’s theme was 1974 – the year the first chamber of commerce was founded in Caithness.
Guests from across the UK were warmly welcomed by Stephen Sutherland, Chair of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce. His speech reflected on the Chamber’s pivotal role in shaping the local business landscape, highlighting key moments over the past five decades that have contributed to the region’s growth. This was followed by an address from Stuart McAuley, Project Director of the West of Orkney Windfarm and the event’s principal sponsor. He commended the county’s welcoming nature and praised the Chamber’s support, as well as the high calibre of skilled businesses in the region.
The evening featured a keynote speech by The Rt. Hon. Lord Thurso, long-standing Patron of the Chamber, who delivered an inspiring address in celebration of the Chamber’s 50th anniversary. His speech centred on the people of Caithness. Reflecting on past events, Lord Thurso read an extract from the Caithness Courier, published on 6th November 1974, during the Friends of the London-Caithness Association gathering. He noted that this had been his maiden public speech.
“The basic Caithnessian was what made Caithness tick. They possessed an openness and hospitality that was unrivalled and had an adaptability and ingenuity borne of many years of simply having to manage or make up for what was needed but unobtainable. They had a wonderful ability to turn a sassenach visitor into a spiritual native of Caithness in a very short space of time. The way in which the “Atomics” had become such a vital and important part of the community was only one example of this work. He believed that the true basic wealth of any county, or for that matter any country, could be measured in terms of its inhabitants. It was the people that were a country’s greatest asset.”
The highlight of the evening was the glittering Business Awards Ceremony, offering a platform for innovative companies and entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements. This celebration of success brought the community together to recognise and applaud the region’s brightest talents.
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024 was presented to Megan Love of Studio Wellness, Halkirk, by award sponsor Coll Murchison-MacDonald, Partner at Saffery Inverness. Specialising in remedial and sports massage, cupping, and kinesiology taping, Studio Wellness distinguishes itself as the only business in Caithness offering Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation and Spinal and Peripheral Joint Mobilisation. Megan’s warm, compassionate nature and dedication to continuous learning have earned her a loyal client base and an excellent reputation. She was commended by the judges for her passion, commitment, and holistic, client-focused approach, as well as her ambition to expand into wellbeing coaching.
Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, presented the Community Business Award 2024 to Wick River Campsite, which was reopened under the management of Wick Development Trust in June 2022. Under the Trust’s stewardship, the campsite has undergone a remarkable transformation, securing £450k in funding for a state-of-the-art, fully accessible, energy-efficient, net-zero toilet and facilities building, which opened in June 2024. The judges were highly impressed by the extensive renovation of the campsite and praised the dedication of the board and team, who have successfully led this transformative social enterprise, creating jobs and significantly enhancing the town of Wick for both visitors and residents.
Matthew and Chloe Mackay, the husband-and-wife team behind Cakes and Bakes at Comlifoot, received a Highly Commended recognition in the Young Business of the Year 2024 category, presented by award sponsor Andrew Mackay, Director of the Caithness Collection. Since opening their cake honesty box in Halkirk in 2022, the pair have transformed their passion for home baking into a thriving business that has become a local favourite. The judges were impressed by the tenacity of this growing venture and captivated by the ambition and enthusiasm that Chloe and Matthew have demonstrated. Their journey highlights how, with a strong work ethic and creative thinking, a small initiative can be turned into a successful enterprise.
The Young Business Award 2024 was presented to Fresh Favourites, founded in 2022 by Derek Balloch and Debbie Mackay, by Richard Copeland, Director of Pentland Floating Offshore Windfarm and sponsor of the award. Fresh Favourites has transformed the takeaway experience by maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and freshness, ensuring that each meal is crafted from the finest ingredients and bursting with flavour. The judges also praised the business for its strong community focus, including its initiatives supporting local senior citizens. Looking ahead, Fresh Favourites plans to open a storefront, which will not only enhance the customer experience but also showcase products from local suppliers.
Adding to the evening’s excitement, guests were treated to a surprise performance by renowned magician, scientist, and comedian Kevin Quantum. His captivating show left the audience mesmerised with seemingly impossible illusions and mathematical wizardry. The evening concluded in style with a live performance by vocalist Sara Mackay, celebrating some of the best hits of 1970’s – including Abba’s iconic 1974 Eurovision-winning song “Waterloo”.
Trudy Morris, CEO of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce commented:
“We are thrilled by the success of the evening and were delighted to see such positive energy in the room. It’s amazing to bring together so many business leaders to celebrate 50 years of business excellence in our region. The. Rt. Hon Lord Thurso himself couldn’t have said it better—the North Highlands is a place full of ingenuity and an unrivalled welcoming spirit.
Congratulations to our young entrepreneur and all of our business award winners. We look forward to what the future holds for our region in the next 50 years!”
Photography by Colin Campbell Photography & Videography by Local Lens Media.
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is excited to announce the launch of a new Early Market Engagement (EME) pilot initiative, on behalf of The MOD Innovation Directorate on the theme of Uncrewed Systems. This pilot aims to collaboratively challenge MOD problem areas and identify potential solutions that could rapidly deliver capability for defence and determine whether a full competition in this area is required.
The initial pilot will concentrate on two critical sub-systems of Uncrewed Systems:
- Position, Navigation and Timing in Highly Contested Environments
- Low-cost, Fast Engines
In short:
- DASA is running an Early Market Engagement (EME) pilot activity on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on the theme of Uncrewed Systems.
- The EME pilot will take a collaborative approach to problem curation with industry/academia to establish the requirement for a full competition.
- Workshops will be held in Bristol, London and Newcastle and welcome participants from both industry and academia. Applications for workshop attendance closes 12:00pm midday 31 October 2024 (GMT)
Learn more and apply to attend a workshop here
DASA is delighted to bring you their latest Case Study – the story of an innovation designed to combat a serious modern threat – that of the Unmanned Air System (UAS) or drone.
Cheap, off-the-shelf drones present a serious challenge to defence and security due to their easy accessibility and very limited radar signature. As their use continues to rise, they pose more of a threat to both military forces and national infrastructure. Therefore, it has become more important than ever to develop an effective counter-UAS innovation.
With the help of DASA funding, West Sussex-based SME LiveLink Aerospace has risen to the challenge, spearheading a consortium to develop a low cost, easy to integrate counter UAS solution.
The consortium developed a flexible and scalable sensor unit for tracking multiple UAS – called Passive Detection & Ranging (PDAR).
This technology has proved to be so successful in field trails, that the Royal Navy has purchased the sensor for use on frontline ships.
Aleks Kowalski, LiveLink Aerospace’s Business Director said:
“Not only did DASA have the vision to support a high risk project where the commercial market was failing, but working with DASA provided wider benefits. The project liaison staff provided by DASA were excellent. They provided constructive criticism when required, represented the ‘voice of the customer’ to challenge the development team, and much appreciated enthusiasm and encouragement throughout. Additionally, compared with other grant awarding bodies, the whole paperwork and process was streamlined and well thought through – we didn’t need to employ additional staff for their paperwork!”
Read the full LiveLink Case Study here
Climate Springboard is a free online programme that helps a business measure its carbon emissions in-house, create a Net Zero action plan, and deliver this using simple, low-cost action plans. The next cohort starts on 8th August, with many more dates throughout the year.
130 businesses have joined the programme, and 100% of recent attendees stated they would recommend the course to another organisation.
What to expect:
- 3 online workshops, fortnightly, 2 hours long.
- Access to 1-2-1 support
- Simple-low cost action plans for carbon and cost reduction