Renewables developer Eurowind has announced the Lyth Jobs Access Fund worth around £30k a year to help Caithness people access training opportunities with North Highland College.
The Lyth Jobs Access Fund will be used to support people from across Caithness to access courses that prepare them for work in the growing and diverse renewables sector in the North of Scotland. Discussions have already taken place with both North Highland College and Caithness Chamber of Commerce about how the fund will be used to directly support people who want renewables jobs but are facing difficulties in accessing training due to poverty and disadvantage.
The fund will form part of a package of benefits supported by the profits of Lyth Wind Farm should it achieve planning consent. A Voucher Dividend Scheme worth £80,000 a year has already been announced which would give residents in communities surrounding the wind farm more direct spending power to support Caithness businesses.
A decision earlier this year was made by Eurowind to increase the community benefit offer from £3,500 for every installed MW of the 23 MW wind farm to a level of £5,000 to support a stronger package of benefits.
Eurowind Director Ian Lindsay said, "In the three years we have worked to develop Lyth Wind Farm, we have seen the potential grow for renewables jobs in Caithness, but there are still major barriers that people face in accessing opportunities. We hope the fund will be a boost to families who want to live and work in Caithness. It will allow skills and local jobs to grow together and alongside our Voucher Scheme will help keep wealth circulating in the Caithness economy."
Caithness Business Fund
Naver Business Centre, Naver House, Naver Road, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7QA
Registered in Scotland: SC450693
