CIC Regulator launches Skillbuilders CIC
08/04/2008
Sara Burgess, the CIC regulator, officially launched Skillbuilders as a community interest company at the Ludlow Food Centre earlier this week.
Skillbuilders, winner of a Queen’s Award for Volunteers, is a group of artisans whose aim is to preserve and pass their skills on to the next generation and include bakers, butchers, chefs and furniture makers and in doing so provide much needed real employment opportunities in rural areas. Based in Shropshire, Skillbuilders is also developing links across the UK and in Europe.
Graeme Perks, Director of Skillbuilders said:
"Skillbuilders bridges the gap between the private sector and young people by providing a "real" way for businesses to “invest” in the future of young people.
What makes us unique is that those involved give their time voluntarily; the belief is that the main aim is for young people to experience, first hand, skills in food technology, traditional crafts and engineering."
Notes
1. Skillbuilders CIC will primarily benefit the 14-19+ age group who are disadvantaged in terms of their ability to prosper in a traditional academic setting but are able to flourish in a structured vocational training environment. Students will engage in traditional artisan crafts such as (but not exclusively) food production and cookery; traditional business skills; furniture manufacture. Academic students will also gain experience in traditional artisan skills. Students, local businesses and artisans benefit from the interaction between young people, artisans, local businesses and educational professionals. More information can be found at www.skillbuilders.org.uk
2. Community Interest Companies (CICs) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a "community interest test" and "asset lock", which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role.