Jill Sutherland wasn’t born when Conservative MP Norman Tebbit urged jobless Britons to be more like eastern Europeans and “get on their bike” to find work.

Thirty years ago, he hit the headlines when he urged young people in the UK to follow the examples of Poland, Hungary and Lithuania and go and broaden their search for work.

It’s something 19-year-old Jill, from Lhanbryde, has had to do, as having studied travel and tourism for a year at college in Aberdeen, she found there were no suitable vacancies near her home village.

So she extended her search and found work as an office administrator with the Castle Group at Dalcross Industrial Estate near Inverness.

The firm, which earlier this week announced it was to create 90 jobs in the Highlands and Moray, services the security needs of domestic and commercial customers across the Highlands and islands, and has a strong presence in Moray and Grampian regions. It also provides undercover surveillance.

Jill, who recently celebrated her first year with the firm, faces a daily four hour commute from Lhanbryde five days a week, which costs her £35 a week.

“I’m on the bus at 7am every morning and get to work at 9.15am, then I finish work at 4.30pm and don’t get home until 6.15pm,” said Jill.

“I use the time to catch up on my sleep. I wasn’t put off by the prospect of spending four hours a day travelling to get to my work as I used to commute to Aberdeen on a daily basis while I was studying there.

"I am willing to spend that amount of time travelling as it means I can have a job where I can excel and in time, move up the career ladder.

“What I’d say to others who are looking for work is that I know it can be really hard to find a job but young people like me should never give up hope because persistence will pay off. You shouldn’t let distance put you off applying for a job either. I didn’t and I’m now in a job I really enjoy and part of a team which feels like a family.”

Managing director Jim Ferguson said: “The enthusiasm and eagerness to learn that Jill brings to the team ensures that there is always energy and progress.

“There are many opportunities within the Castle Group and we’re really privileged to be able to employ such motivated and committed members of staff.”

Youth unemployment in the UK is said to be at its worst since comparable records began in 1992. Recent figures show the number of young people looking for work has now reached 1.043million.

“We are always able to recruit from a broad range of skills and backgrounds,” said Mr Ferguson.

“When we took Jill on at the tail end of 2010 we had more than 20 applications. We chose her because she stood out at interview when she countered her lack of any employment experience with the pledge: ‘All I need is a chance to learn and show you what I can do.’

“Her words really resonated with me because she is a young person looking to succeed and showing the right attitude; we can all relate to where she’s coming from.”

Jill’s final piece of advice to others is: “When you’re looking for a job, think of it more long term, not something that will just tide you by. Consider travelling further from home if it means that you have better career prospects and a chance of being really successful.”

Pictured are Jill Sutherland (left) with Senior Administrative Assistant, Margaret Ferguson.

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

A Highland based security firm is set to increase its workforce by more than 60%.

The Castle Group, based at Dalcross Industrial Estate, is set to add approximately 90 personnel to its 140 strong workforce by the summer.

Managing Director Jim Ferguson said: “The last 18 months have been increasingly busy and all the early signs indicate that demand for our services will continue throughout 2012.

“We’re working in close partnership with Easter Ross firm ITP Training (Innovative Training Practices) to ensure that the staff we take on are of the highest standard. We’ve currently got 30 people going through training with ITP at its base in Invergordon, and we will be looking for approximately another 60. The idea is to recruit some highly skilled personnel and to ensure that we up-skill any other candidates with strong potential.

“We’re very keen as a firm to help stabilise the local economy and we can do that by helping get people back to work and getting them fully licensed, trained, and qualified to work for The Castle Group. We know that in the UK unemployment is at an all time high.

“Our growth is across the whole of the Highlands and Moray and across our range of services. We will be looking to recruit for security, door supervision, CCTV monitoring, and we have more specialist roles, for example in dealing with violence and aggression.

“We’re thrilled to be working with a firm as proactive as ITP and we know that it provides the best possible training. Our partnership highlights the importance of working and recruiting locally. Skills development is crucial in getting people back to work. I know that there is a lot of ambition and enthusiasm to work in the Highlands and Moray, and I’m delighted to be in a position to make sustainable employment a reality.

“We are looking to recruit another 60 after the current group of 30 candidates complete their training. We will employ as many as possible following their training. Candidates will learn a variety of skills that will also help them to find alternative employment if they choose to do so.

“We will be expanding further into the renewables sector and this already brings vast opportunity to help get people back to work. The Castle Group has an enviable reputation for quality and because of this we are also, once again, putting some of our resources into the cleaning industry. We’ve recently been approached by several firms looking to move their contracts to us.

“We have a diverse workforce. Our youngest member of staff is 19 years old, and the most senior is 75. We have employees with military and police specialist knowledge, and we have others who benefit from training to get them back into employment. We provide a bespoke service.”

ITP Director Kath Kernaghan said: We’re delighted to be involved in The Castle Group’s jobs boost. We currently have a contract with Skills Development Scotland to help get people back to work and our team at ITP is extremely passionate about going the extra mile to ensure that we succeed. We can give them the training, the confidence and the qualifications that they need.

“At the moment anyone who is registered unemployed and interested in this training with the prospect of working for The Castle Group should ask their job adviser at the Job Centre to get in touch with us on 01349 856707. Any other interested parties can directly contact us, or The Castle Group on 01667 493249. It’s fantastic to see a private firm committed to making the most of local resources.”

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

The Castle Group are delighted to support the local Chinese Association and were delighted to have them perform the Lion Dance to bring good luck in business throughout the year at Castles main office at Dalcross.

Pictured below are Managing Director Jim Ferguson, along with two of the office staff, Margaret Ferguson and Jill Sutherland.

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

A local initiative to help protect vulnerable pensioners from winter falls has proved so successful it’s being rolled out further this week thanks to local security firm The Castle Group.

The Dalcross based business recently bought £1,000 worth of gritting salt (matched by the Inverness Common Good Fund) which was distributed at Inverness and Nairn at the end of December. 

The free salt will be available for collection at the car park at Strathaird Salmon (Longman Drive) in Inverness and at Nairn Town and County Hospital car park from 10am to 4pm on Thursday, January 19th. It is available on a first come first served basis and is limited to two bags per vehicle.

Managing Director Jim Ferguson is praising people for their generosity of spirit in taking care of vulnerable family and neighbours. He says he’s so impressed that his firm (and the Inverness Common Good Fund) is repeating the initiative: “The first batch of salt was picked up within a few hours by big hearted individuals who were keen to help more needy people in their community. We’re thrilled by the response to our campaign. We wanted to do something practical and this idea and partnership working came together very quickly. The feedback has been so positive we are considering doing it again next winter.” £4,000 in total has now been invested in the gritting salt.

Jean Pierre Sieczkarek from NHS Highland said: “We’re delighted that people took up the challenge to support vulnerable pensioners in their area and really this was the whole point of the campaign. The salt played a key role in encouraging people to think about others and if that thought of giving, and gratitude for their own wellbeing, stays with them for even one more day then it’s been incredibly worthwhile. The physical and emotional trauma caused by falls cannot be underestimated.” Thousands of people slip on the ice and suffer debilitating injuries in the UK every year. Last year 260 people were admitted to local hospitals in the Highlands for further treatment and care after a fall.

Inverness Provost Jimmy Gray said: “We’re thrilled that a private sector business has approached us with such a sensible and practical idea that goes a long way towards increasing community spirit and public safety. We’re very glad that the Inverness Common Good Fund has been able to support this initiative and create a positive working relationship between the public and private sector. This really sets the benchmark for other organisations.”

The Castle Group services the security needs of domestic and commercial customers across the Highlands and Islands, and has a strong presence in Moray and Grampian regions.

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

The partnership was formed in order to formulate better mechanisms for sharing information and target our resources at identified problems in order to achieve effective results. By doing this the aim was to create an environment where our communities and visitors will remain safe and reassured.

The partnership aims are to maintain and develop the vibrancy of the city of Inverness by promoting crime prevention and addressing antisocial behaviour through reassurance, communication, education and engagement. To address the impact of fire and other emergencies on the community. The sharing of information is now flowing freely with proper processes and mechanisms in place that ensure that partner members are fully appraised. The picture (right) is of Jim Ferguson of Castle Security and Chief Inspector Jim Neil of Northern Constabulary at Tulliallan Police College.

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

A SECURITY firm is extending its private detective work with the addition of two former police chiefs to "expose infidelity" across the area.

Ex-deputy chief constable Garry Sutherland and Northern Constabulary’s former head of operations Bruce Duncan have become directors at The Castle Group which provides services including alarm response call-outs and employee vetting at its Dalcross Industrial Estate base.

Managing director Jim Ferguson says it is responding to a rapidly changing society.

Full story on the Inverness Courier

Castle Security Press Release

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

HIGHLAND News Group editor Paul Breen was among four surprise "outlaws" put behind bars today.

The "bandits" were caged in a "Lock up Your Boss" event to raise money for funds for Moray Firth Radio’s Cash for Kids and anti-crime charity Crimestoppers.

They were imprisoned in a makeshift jail in full public view in the Tesco car park at the Inverness Retail Park.

Also banged up with Paul were Moray Firth Radio breakfast presenter Ginno Conti, Highland MSP David Stewart, Gary Coutts who is chairman of the Highland NHS Board, and Jim Ferguson, managing director of Castle Security and chairman of Crimestoppers.

Live broadcasts from the "prison" went out on Moray Firth Radio as the infamous five urged local people to pledge money to the worthy causes and break them out of jail.

The "lawbreakers" will only be allowed out of jail early on the condition that they continue to fundraise all of this week.

If you would like to donate to the charities please go to the webpage:

www.everydayhero.co.uk/lock_up_your_boss

All you have to do is click "donate now" and then select a prisoner’s name and make a donation

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

A RECENTLY formed group geared towards enhancing public safety is to stage an event aimed at encouraging the community to highlight issues which affect their quality of life.

Inverness Community Safety Partnership (ICSP), which was formed in July this year is to hold an open discussion with residents of Inverness on their worries and ideas.

The event, which is to be hosted by the Provost Jimmy Gray, takes place at the Town House, Castle Street, Inverness, at 7pm on Thursday, October 27.

The partnership includes members from both the public and private sector, including voluntary groups, and aims to provide a co-ordinated response to community concerns with a view to making Inverness a safer place to live, work and visit.

Crimestoppers Highland’s and Islands chair, Jim Ferguson, who also chairs the new partnership group, said: "This is an opportunity for people to tell us what matters to them and how the partnership can work together with the community to ensure that we are tackling the issues and areas of concern in a robust and practical way."

ISCP Vice-chair, Chief Inspector Jim Neil from Northern Constabulary, said: "The group has already demonstrated that good partnership working can achieve results. This has been particularly evident in the work carried out regarding HMO issues in the city centre. It is important that the community engage with the partnership in order that community concerns can be addressed and that our resources are targeted in the proper direction."

It is hoped that the discussion will inform the ICSP’s future priorites and local residents are encouraged to attend and have their voice heard.

www.highland-news.co.uk

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website

A new partnership group has been launched, entitled Inverness Community Safety Partnership (ICSP), to coordinate community safety work being done in the Inverness area.

The partnership, which includes members from both the public and private sector, including voluntary groups, is fundamentally governed by the Inverness City Committee of Highland Council. The group aims to provide a coordinated response to community concerns with the view to making Inverness a safer place to live, work and visit.

The group first formed at the start of the year, and work has already been completed, such as establishing a set protocol between the partners to formalise and improve information sharing, to name one example.

Chair of the Inverness Community Safety Partnership, Jim Ferguson of the Highland branch of Crimestoppers said: "The formation of the group means that we have a better mechanism to share information, and target our resources to get better results. In the past there has been a lot of positive work completed independently but we collectively feel that improving the way in which we work together by sharing information and targeting our resources will help us see better results that will continue to keep Inverness safe."

Partners included in ICSP, have already started work on current issues that have been brought to their attention, a priority issue being addressing anti social behaviour in the city centre. The partnership are working on improving the environment by bringing relevant agencies together and tackling challenges, one such example being the issues and perceived concerns surrounding the operation of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO). The group are working to improve the service that is provided to those within these residences, improve communication with management and residents within them and influence policy in respect of licensing and planning through working with relevant authorities.

Chief Inspector Jim Neil from Northern Constabulary spoke of the work that is currently being undertaken by the group: "A number of issues were identified in relation to HMOs, some real and some perceived, which required a multi agency response to further explore and find appropriate solutions, which the Inverness Community Safety Partnership is working on at the moment."

City Manager, David Haas said: "The Community Safety Partnership is part of the Councils commitment to ensuring that the community within the City is able to take ownership and influence decision making. The challenge posed by a city centre that is vibrant is not unique however the way the partnership is acting to tackle anti-social behaviour in the city centre will deliver results benefiting all."

The group are also working on a number of different issues and want to encourage the public that any concern raised through existing mechanisms, such as community councils or to any organisation involved in the partnership, will be looked at closely by the group.

Mike Smith, Inverness Business Improvement District manager said: "All businesses will welcome the new Inverness Community Safety Partnership. Its formation is an integral part ensuring the wellbeing of the community, it will enable business and public community safety concerns in the city to be focussed and addressed, ensuring that our city remains a safe and welcoming environment."

This feed was drawn from the Castle Security website