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Micro Enterprise Training and
Employment Programme - 1998 - 1999 :

Groundbase is part of the LEADER II European Community Initiative to aid business growth, community development and the rural economy across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway. It is a partnership between the European Union, Dumfries and Galloway Council, and Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise, and runs until the year 2000. Groundbase programmes are designed to complement the services offered by other local agencies such as Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise and the Business Shops to local businesses.

Groundbase introduced the MICRO ENTERPRISE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME (METEP) in 1999, to encourage the employment of new staff by small and expanding businesses. Grants are awarded on a discretionary basis for up to 50% of eligible projects, to a limit of £ 5,000 Pounds Sterling.

Aims of Micro Enterprise Training and Employment Programme (METEP) :

The programme aims to assist micro businesses (i.e. those businesses employing 10 or less full time staff or equivalent) located in Dumfries and Galloway, to employ additional staff members on a permanent basis.

Eligible Groups :

Any micro business located in Dumfries and Galloway considered suitable for public sector support.

Examples of Eligible Projects :

Businesses can employ unemployed residents of Dumfries and Galloway who are :-

Aged 18+ and unemployed for less than six months, or
Individuals affected by redundancy.

Discretionary Grants :

Up to 50% (or £ 75, whichever is the lesser) of the new employee's gross wage for a period of 26 weeks, and
A bonus payment of £ 500, payable after 52 weeks, providing the original employee is still employed by the company on a full-time basis.
Grants are payable 4 weekly in arrears, providing the employee remains in the post for a minimum of 4 weeks.
The bonus payment is payable after 52 weeks on prodfuction of evidence that the original employee is still in full-time employment with the company.

Employer's Committments :

Employers who are awarded grants will be required to give a written undertaking that they will :-

Create an additional post within the organisation. The programme is not to replace a dismissed employee or to fill an existing vacancy.
Provide full-time employment of at least 30 hours per week for a minimum period of 52 weeks from the date of recruitment, subject to reasonable discipline and dismissal procedures.
Carry out an agreed training programme and maintain training and performance records.
Enable progress to be monitored by allowing Goundbase Limited or authorised representative access to the employee and to their training and wages records.
Have employers' compulsory liability insurance and take responsibility for the health, safety and welfare, of the employee.

Comments :

Up to two new employees can be taken on under this programme, depending on the size of the company.
Responsibility for selection and interviewing of potential recruits is the responsibility of the employer
Any application to join the programme has to be made before actually engaging the new employee, or the application will not be considered.
All grants are paid on a discretionary basis, Groundbase Limited reserving the right to refuse assistance where it considers the application is not in the public interest.

Case Study :

Lightning Protection Service - Andy Ritchie and Christine Hill

Lightning Protection Services (LPS) :
METEP grant supporting employment of Christine Hill.

This scheme ended on 30^th June 1999, but other schemes may be in prospect. Contact Groundbase for more information now. If not, go to the next page.

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Last updated 29^th July 1999.

Micro Enterprise Training and Employment Programme - 1998 - 1999 :