Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been awarded funding for a Harris Tweed Training and Development Programme.

The Scottish Government announced that the Harris Tweed Training and Development Programme is one of fifteen projects designed to boost economic growth and create jobs.

The projects across the Highlands and Islands will focus on supporting people who are finding it hardest to get jobs, those most affected by the current economic challenges and those at risk of redundancy. The projects will receive a share of funding worth £5.3 million.

'Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will receive £99,400 for the Harris Tweed Training and Development Programme, a project building on the ESF funded training and accreditation programme for the Harris Tweed industry, and it will run two additional New Start Weaver Training courses in 2012/13. This project will also introduce flexibility to accommodate trainees who cannot participate on a full time basis, in particular women, who are under represented in the industry.'

The demand for weavers is a result of demand for Harris Tweed, particularly from fashion designers. Over the programme, 126 individuals will be supported.

Archie Campbell, Chair of Sustainable Development at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: "Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is delighted that the European Structural Fund has continued to provide a significant part of the funding for the Harris Tweed Training Development Project."

"This is an important and extremely worthwhile project that has been developed in close liaison with the Harris Tweed industry. The project will deliver training to assist the industry to meet demand for the cloth, through activities including new weaver training and the piloting of technical skills qualifications in Harris Tweed mills."

"The Comhairle is happy to supply part of the funding for this course and is grateful to the European Structural Fund, as well as our other partner organisations, for the additional funding they provide to help deliver this forward-looking project for the revitalised Harris Tweed Industry."

Read the full press release and details on all the projects receiving funding on The Scottish Government website.