HIE Orkney works closely with national and local organisations to achieve its objectives. We are involved in a wide range of strategic projects, and are one of the partners in the Community Planning process together with Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney. This includes leading the Local Economic Forum, a group established to ensure economic development is delivered in a cohesive manner by all the public agencies involved.
While we detail all our grants to individual businesses in the press, below are examples of the wider projects we are involved in each year, or those that we have initiated in Orkney.
Kiln Corner
We played a key role in the redevelopment plans for the Kiln Corner, an area of Kirkwall which had become rundown and unsightly. Together with Scottish Homes, Orkney Housing Association and Orkney Islands Council we funded a development which provided 22 new homes for rent and shared ownership, and new office space. The office accommodation is now fully let to three local businesses which have recently expanded their operations - John Jolly, shipbrokers, Northlink Ferries and local newspaper, Orkney Today.
Get Ready for Work
This is a 13-week programme for school leavers or young people aged between 16 and 18. It provides training to suit individual needs including work tasters in a variety of occupational settings. For each individual taking part, the aim of the programme is to identify a progression route towards employment or training and qualifications.
Modern Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships offer paid employment combined with the opportunity to train for jobs at craft, technician and management level. They are an exciting way of gaining skills and qualifications that will help to start a career without having to study full-time, and are available across a wide range of industries. Designed to help create a high-calibre workforce, Modern Apprenticeships are supported by the Confederation of Business and Industry, the Trade Union Congress and a wide range of employers. There are normally around 200 Modern Apprentices at any one time in Orkney.
Modern Apprenticeships are aimed at those aged 16 and above and capable of achieving a vocational qualification at level 3 or above. They are open to all age groups.
European Marine Energy Centre
In 2001, the Scottish Executive charged OE and HIE with the task of establishing an offshore marine energy test centre to further the development of tidal and wave power generating industries. The project was taken forward by a public consortium and the first phase of the project (wave test site) is located at Billia Croo near Stromness. The wave test facility was officially opened by Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace MSP in August 2004.
Island Communities
We are keen to ensure that all the North and South isles are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential socially and economically.
We work closely with development groups on a number of the outer islands to help them address issues such as depopulation, economic development and community confidence by encouraging the active participation of the islanders in developing projects and plans for the future.
A number of these communities benefit from their designation as ‘Initiative at the Edge’ areas. This currently applies to Eday and Stronsay, Sanday and North Ronaldsay and Westray and Papa Westray.
Feasibility & Research Studies
We are regularly involved in research or feasibility studies, which we often undertake in partnership with Highlands & Islands Enterprise or other local bodies. A major tourism survey over the summer of 2004 will help us identify strengths and weaknesses in the industry and improve future focus.
Orkney Gateways
We played a significant role in co-ordinating a partnership of agencies to develop an ‘Orkney gateway’, ie a strong sense of Orkney’s identity, within Kirkwall’s airport terminal and had similar involvement in the smaller gateways at Hatston and Stromness ferry terminal buildings.
Industry Training Groups
Our funding enables locally based industry training groups to offer a wide range of training courses to their sectors. Courses are organised by the local area training groups and are offered at subsidised rates to participants as a result of our assistance. Most of this activity is undertaken in the agricultural and construction sectors. |