Wool Innovation is an Island wide initiative, for value adding and value chain improvements across our wool industry.
FIDC’s Rural Energy Advisor Andrew Crighton has agreed to a contract extension to continue support to the Corporation’s Business Development team on all applications that come through regarding renewable energy systems. Andrew’s support ensures an expert oversight of applications and renewables solutions for FIDC funding.
An amazing twenty-six budding entrepreneurs signed up for FIDC’s business start-up workshop Get Set – GO!
Strategic Projects Manager Gordon Ackroyd and Development Assistant Kieran Roberts travelled down to North Arm, for a field meeting with new Falkland Landholdings Ltd General Manager Neil Judd.
The Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) is pleased to publish its 2018-2019 Annual Report and Governance Statement.
The report gives an attractive and illuminating account of the Corporation’s work of the past year, supporting economic development through enterprise - and of the people involved.
Print copies are widely distributed to clients and stakeholders, and a digital version is available on FIDC’s website.
Click the link below to download a digital copy.
FIDC has completed a full HR improvement project, for its subsidiary Falkland Islands Meat Company.
With its mix of full time professional staff, plus part-timers and the regular influx of seasonal workers – and a requirement to meet demanding health and safety regulations - FIMCo and FIDC were very keen to see the very best Human Resources practices embedded in the business.
An initial HR ‘audit’ revealed the scope of work needed at the start of the year. More recently, following a competitive tendering process, a contract was awarded to HR industry professionals Sally Hart and Jackie Taylor.
The aim of this project has been to have a coherent HR capability within the business but without adding a management burden. Sally Hart and her team set to work on recruitment, retention, reward and performance for a profitable enterprise.
Today, new training guides, a comprehensive staff handbook, plus employee and manager ‘toolkits’ and other staff resources are available to ensure FIMCo is, as Sally puts it “a great place to work, a safe place to work, a successful business” and the focus – in line with Michael Ledwith’s Business Improvement programme - is on “getting the work done”.
FIDC is a strong advocate for robust HR practices for all its client business, and will be adding an ‘HR Basics’ workshop to its suite of enterprise training courses in the coming months.
For further details, look out for information here on the web and our social media.
Over the last year Ruth Stewart has been working towards starting her foot health and nail care business. Ruth made the decision to take the big step into starting her own business after working as a Health Care Assistant on and off for the past 19 years, where she became aware of the need for a foot health care service in the Falklands.
Ruth investigated the route to become a qualified Foot Health Practitioner and received funding from the CDS to help her with the training costs of becoming a qualified FHP. The majority of her studies were undertaken here in the Falklands by distance learning with The College of Foot Health Practitioners in Birmingham, only needing to go overseas for the practical training. Now Ruth is fully qualified and also registered with the Alliance of Private Foot Health Practitioners in the UK. Alongside her studies, Ruth continued to work closely with the Business Development Team at FIDC, receiving advice and support to build her business case, as well as financial support to purchase the specialist equipment needed.
Previously the only foot health care in the Falklands had been a visiting Podiatrist Mr Duran who comes twice a year for two weeks. Ruth aims to provide a domiciliary foot health care service to the community. This service will complement the service provided by the visiting Podiatrist.
Regarding the support that she has received along this journey to starting her own business, Ruth said “I have been very fortunate, and I am very grateful to have received advice and financial assistance from FIDC and the CDS. As a single parent I could not have done this without that support. Therefore my thanks go to FIDC and the CDS staff and committee members, for all the assistance I have received.”
Here at FIDC we are sure that Ruth Stewart Foot Health and Nail Care will be well received and will prove to be a beneficial service to the community and we will continue to offer Ruth business advice and mentorship.
About the FIDC
FIDC acts as the national economic development agency for the Falkland Islands and is tasked to develop the commercial sector of the Falkland Islands by being one of the principal partners delivering the Economic, Rural and Tourism Development Strategies.
To help drive sustainable economic growth and assist in the creation of new jobs and opportunities, FIDC provides various forms of support and assistance to the Falkland’s business community.
Working towards a highly successful, diverse and sustainable economy for the Falkland Islands
Development Corporation