Apprentice Town

Online careers programme launched by Derbyshire Education Business Partnership

1st May 2020

Derbyshire Education Business Partnership (DEBP) have launched a new online careers programme, Directions, which aims to support young people at home due to the impact of COVID-19.

The programme is available to young people in secondary schools, special educational needs or disability schools and includes access to careers advice, employer workshops and study resources.

DEBP are offering one-to-one information, advice and guidance, as well as group activities covering applications, apprenticeships, employability, resilience, transition and stress management. The team are also are working closely with local employers to offer Q&A’s, video diaries, networking and virtual visits to help ensure young people are developing the skills employers’ value and look for.

Clare Talati, Director at DEBP said, “We have a team of qualified Careers and Employability professionals who are ready to support online. Normally they are based within schools or visit them on a regular basis. We want to carry on supporting our partner schools and others to assist young people with their future choices.”

To be a part of the programme, parents, carers, career leaders, teachers or students are asked to register their interest here. A member of the DEBP team will then get in touch to guide you through the next steps.

For more information about Directions please email Dayna Stubbs at dayna.stubbs@debp.org.

Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, alongside Destination Chesterfield, are the main organisers of the Made in Chesterfield campaign, which works with local schools and their students to raise the profile of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sector careers. The initiative was as a finalist in the Business and Education Partnership category at the East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Awards 2019.

Click here to find out more about Made in Chesterfield

Year 11 GCSE students from Eckington School visited the award-winning Penny Hydraulics in early 2020 as part of the Made in Chesterfield campaign

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

New website highlights how Chesterfield’s businesses and service providers are adapting during lockdown

30th April 2020

A new website is helping Chesterfield’s independent businesses and service providers continue to operate and supply their services and products during lockdown.

People are being urged to #LoveChesterfield and use the new website to access the products and services of local businesses and organisations during lockdown.

Developed and launched by Destination Chesterfield www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that are continuing to operate by adapting their services to meet the needs of the community.

And Destination Chesterfield wants to add even more businesses, organisations and supports services to the free online directory!

A listing on the website is FREE and Destination Chesterfield is keen to hear from any business or service provider that is offering or adapting products and services in support of the COVID-19 effort.

There are eight categories on the website – Shopping, Food and Drink, Dine at Home, Keeping Busy, Pets, Education & Training, Business Services and Community Support – all combined in an easy to use directory. Details of the businesses and how you can purchase or access the products or services are listed on the site. Business owners and service providers can supply their details free of charge for inclusion on the new website.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “The mission for Destination Chesterfield has always been to encourage as many people as possible to support the town and celebrate its achievements. The resilience that local businesses and service providers have shown during lockdown has been remarkable and we hope the new website will become a valuable tool in supporting them further in their efforts to remain operational.

“We’re encouraging everyone to #LoveChesterfield and continue supporting small independent businesses and service providers throughout lockdown. Every trader and service producer plays an important part in the local economy and we all need to work together to can ensure their survival beyond these extremely challenging times.”

National retailers are currently deluged with consumer demand, causing long queues into both their websites and stores, as well as prolonged delivery times. Shopping local at independent retailers not only supports a small business but also puts money back into the local economy.

If you’re a business owner or service provider and would like to be considered to be included on the new website, please complete the form at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal/get-involved/ .

To find out more about the new ‘Supporting Local’ site, please visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield manufacturer CBE+ becomes Apprentice Town ambassador

22nd April 2020

Local manufacturer CBE+ has become the latest Apprentice Town Ambassador, aiming to boost the number of young people participating in apprenticeships in the Chesterfield area.

Apprenticeship Ambassadors are businesses and organisations which sign up to actively promote and celebrate apprenticeships in Chesterfield and their benefits in strengthening the workforce.

Chesterfield is the first town in the UK to declare itself an ‘Apprentice Town’, demonstrating a commitment to growing the careers of young people alongside the economy. Chesterfield Borough Council is at the forefront of the Apprentice Town initiative which, with support from Ambassadors, is raising awareness of apprenticeships and advocating cooperative working across the education, business and learning community.

CEO, Marie Cooper, said: “Becoming an apprentice town ambassador is important to the future of Chesterfield and for the manufacturing industry in general. Failure to address the constant need to feed new people through a business and train them with job specific skills has led to a skill gap which has caused problems in the sector in the past. Therefore, initiatives like this are so important to bridge the gap between education and the business sector and is why we are proud to be a part of them.”

CBE+ have multiple apprentices on the shop floor studying mechanical engineering, as well as office apprentices in production, marketing and finance. When their course is finished, the business has a fully trained member of staff with both experience and the appropriate qualifications.

This decision is an extension to CBE+ becoming a cornerstone business in January 2020 to support the North East Derbyshire District Council to strengthen the area and ensure it is a great place to live and work.

Marie continued “Ten years ago, we were instigators in setting up a successful apprenticeship programme and have since worked with schools, colleges and young people to help them develop and enhance their employability skills. We believe the key to this was engaging with them on projects, recognising their strengths and how experiences develop certain strengths like confidence, resilience and commitment.”

“Most of the young people we have met, do not know what they want to do because they do not know the extent of what careers are available and are not fed the ideas which should inspire them to take a certain path. They can only get so much career advice from within schools and parents, so it is up to us as businesses to showcase what those opportunities are, to engage with them, talk to them and show them.”

Click here to find out more about the Apprentice Town initiative

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield manufacturer offers factory, staff and resources in response to national COVID-19 effort

1st April 2020

A Chesterfield manufacturer is offering its factory, people and resources to the national effort to fight the killer virus.

The company, Blachford UK, which manufactures vehicle soundproofing materials for clients in both the UK and Europe, including JCB and CASE, employs more than 100 people at its site in Holmewood, Chesterfield.

Production at the factory has ceased in response to the global pandemic. However, appeals from the government to manufacturers to assist with the UK effort has prompted Jason Lippitt, Managing Director of Blachford UK to offer the services of the company’s factory and staff.

He said: “We have a large production facility and a skilled workforce, including engineers, machinists and designers, that can all be utilised to manufacture goods and equipment that are critical to the NHS.

“If there are any companies out there, particularly those making PPE for NHS workers, we have staff and equipment at Blachford and we’d all like to help.”

The company has set up a dedicated email address during the crisis, to ensure that requests for help are answered immediately.

Jason added: “The company view is that we are all in this together and our staff want to help wherever they can to help the nation get fit and well and back to business. Blachford is a family and I am immensely proud of every member of staff for their support, not only for the company but the national effort to fight Coronavirus.”

Jason praised the government’s response to a national shutdown, saying: “The national shutdown I believe puts UK manufacturers in a strong position to recover business faster than many other countries. There is no doubt that UK manufacturing will face financial hardship over the coming months but, due to the nation’s collective shutdown, I believe the sector will recover and be in an excellent position in a couple of years.”

Companies involved in producing essential supplies during the COVID-19 and would like to talk to Blachford should email NHSsupport@blachforduk.com

Jason Lippitt – MD of Blachford UK

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Volunteers available to support local community

1st April 2020

A training provider has pledged to support communities in Chesterfield in a bid to repay the hard work and loyalty the business has seen from local people.

The team at Juniper Training in Chesterfield is open to suggestions for a variety of volunteering activities, from helping at local food banks, shops or distribution centres to manning telephone support lines for isolated and/or vulnerable people.

Aaron Squires, Lead Practitioner said “It is important that our local communities and residents, especially those that are vulnerable and/or isolated are assisted and supported during this unprecedented time.

“We continue to see organisations; volunteering groups and community groups put their own health on the line and work extremely hard to ensure they meet current demands. We understand the pressure involved in meeting these demands and would like to provide a little balance and alleviate a little pressure by offering an extra pair of hands!”

Juniper Training, Chesterfield supports local 16-18-year olds to develop their skills, knowledge and behaviours through a variety of educational pathways including apprenticeships, traineeships and study programmes.

Organisations seeking volunteers to support with activities, which adhere to government guidelines and social distancing requirements, should contact Chris Hull at Juniper training on 07712676373

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Coronavirus outbreak: Support for Chesterfield businesses

31st March 2020

In response to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Chesterfield Borough Council is actively implementing a number of Government backed financial measures to help support local businesses.

The council has already identified local businesses that may be eligible to access small business grants and business rate relief and has contacted these businesses directly.

However, not all businesses will be eligible for the small business grants and business rate relief schemes. Chesterfield Borough Council therefore want to ensure that these Chesterfield-based businesses are aware of other support schemes and advice which may be available to them during this challenging time.

Further information and links to Government schemes is available at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus-information-hub/businesses-information

Councillor Terry Gilby, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “Chesterfield Borough Council and our partner agencies are working hard to ensure that Chesterfield businesses can access the very best support and advice during these difficult times. I would urge all local businesses to keep up to date via our website and take the opportunity to discuss any specific concerns they might have with the council’s staff or those of our partner agencies”.

The council has a business advisor who is available to talk through and offer advice to any Chesterfield based business as part of our D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub scheme. You can contact the business advisor or staff of the council’s Economic Development team via economicdevelopment@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Businesses can also get support and advice from a number of partner agencies including East Midlands Chamber, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, Derbyshire County Council and Destination Chesterfield. Contact information and links to relevant websites are available on the Chesterfield Borough Council website via the link above.

Click here to read the Destination Chesterfield Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield

Heathcotes launches recruitment drive

27th March 2020

Chesterfield-based care provider, Heathcotes Group, has launched a nationwide recruitment drive to assist its frontline teams in meeting the challenge of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.

With many sectors in lockdown and staff shortages likely as COVID-19 forces many people into isolation, the company is seeking around 200 Support Workers for residential care services in support of adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs. Heathcotes is now offering temporary and permanent positions at various locations in Northern England, the Midlands and London. No care sector experience is necessary as new staff will be benefit from comprehensive training.

Heathcotes Head of Recruitment, Colin Ramwell, said: “All of the UK’s frontline services will be feeling the strain in the coming months and providers of social care will be under immense pressure. Our work will be more important than ever in support of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Many people will be concerned about employment security and many jobs have already been lost, but we want them to know that Heathcotes need kind, compassionate staff to help us make a difference at services nationwide. As essential key workers, our staff can continue to work whilst their children continue to attend school.

“We are able to offer flexible contracts for people who may need a short-term source of income before returning their previous role in sectors such hospitality, retail and leisure, but we always welcome applicants who are interested in starting a long-term career in care. We fund all training and invest in the professional development of our staff.”

To address safety issues posed by Coronavirus, Heathcotes has implemented enhanced risk assessments and infection control protocols for staff and service users throughout its 72 services. The company has been continuously monitoring official advice, responding accordingly and communicating the latest updates and government guidelines to all staff. Non-essential visitors to services have been told to delay their visit until further notice whilst essential visitors have been asked to carry out a simple risk assessment on themselves prior to visiting, and to observe enhanced infection control protocols before and during their visit.

Click here to find out more about Heathcotes Group

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home

Meet the Buyer Event Cancelled: But local companies can still benefit from Northern Gateway development

24th March 2020

Local companies are being invited to get in touch with Chesterfield Borough Council to find out how to tender for work connected to the ongoing regeneration of Chesterfield.

The safety of residents, businesses and staff has been considered carefully following the latest government guidance relating to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the Meet the Buyer event that was due to take place at the Town Hall on Friday 27^th March has been cancelled.

However, the construction of the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre on part of the Holywell Cross car park is still scheduled to commence in April and main contractors Robert Woodhead Limited remain very keen to speak to local companies to form part of their supply chain on this project and other local projects in their pipeline.

As part of its commitment to supporting the local economy Chesterfield Borough Council, as the planning authority, includes Local Labour Clauses within planning approvals for developments of this kind to ensure developers use local suppliers, have apprenticeships and allocate as many jobs as possible to local people.

To maximise the opportunities for local companies, main contractors Robert Woodhead Limited are offering a range of sub-contractor packages available during the project. Opportunities include:

Brickwork
Plastering
Screeds
Joinery and kitchen fitting
Floor finishes
Fencing
Landscaping
Painting and decorating
Wall tiling
Mastic and sealants
Cleaners
Roof Tiling
Local Labour Recruitment Agencies

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “There is more than £1 billion of investment currently underway in Chesterfield and one of the key priorities of the council is that Chesterfield residents directly benefit from this by getting new jobs, training, business and skills opportunities.”

“Robert Woodhead Limited has worked closely with the council to ensure that our Borough benefits as much as possible from the opportunities that building this new Enterprise Centre will bring.”

“Whilst it is disappointing that the event is not going ahead as planned, I am pleased that staff have worked hard to ensure a virtual alternative is in place. I would encourage all local businesses that deliver the trades and services specified to follow the link to our website below where businesses and see what opportunities are available for them and their workforces. It is now more important than ever that we do all we can to support local businesses and this is an example of where we can make a difference.”

Dan Cove, Project Manager, Robert Woodhead Ltd said: “It is with regret that the meet the buyer event has been cancelled but we will undertake to respond to all enquiries remotely. As soon as we can, will look to reschedule the event but in the meantime, we would urge local businesses to get in touch through the website to express interest in the subcontractor opportunities we have available on the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre project.”

If you would like to express an intertest in any of the opportunities listed with Robert please click here or contact Emily Williams via email on emily.williams@chesterfield.gov.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

UKATA announces temporary video conference asbestos training during Coronavirus crisis

23rd March 2020

The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is urging workers in construction-related industries and trades to make use of the time to upskill or refresh training.

In line with this, UKATA has approved its 200-member companies and individuals to deliver a number of its approved courses by video conferencing software, including Skype, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, UKATA members are approved to deliver the following courses by video conference:

Asbestos Awareness
Asbestos Awareness Refresher
Duty to Manage – Extension to Asbestos Awareness
Non-Licensable Refresher (Delegates must complete a Training Needs Analysis prior to the training)

The move to temporary video conference training was approved during a recent emergency UKATA board meeting.

A number of quality control measures have also been put in place with members to ensure the training delivered continues to be of a high quality. To support the delivery of courses UKATA is also developing a new, bespoke online examination system.

UKATA-approved training providers are audited regularly by UKATA to ensure the training they deliver is of a consistently high standard. They are also authorised to award industry-recognised and respected UKATA certificates following successful completion of training.

To ensure that training can continue to be delivered by members, UKATA has also agreed to grant an extension period to members whose membership process deadlines are approaching.

Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of UKATA, which is a highly respected, leading authority on asbestos training explained: “These are uncertain times and we have acted swiftly to ensure that workers can access vital asbestos training and that our members can continue to deliver it.

“It’s a distressing time for everyone concerned, particularly self-employed people, but we are urging people to use this enforced downtime to upskill and increase their knowledge and awareness of asbestos.”

He added: “The industry is going to have some difficult times ahead, from projects being cancelled to shortage of supplies, inevitably meaning works cannot be carried out, but the country and the industry WILL recover and we must all be ready to hit the ground running when that happens.

“UKATA staff are all working remotely to ensure that, as much as possible, it’s business as usual and that we can continue to support our members and the industry during these unprecedented times.”

To find a UKATA member in your area delivering asbestos training visit www.UKATA.org.uk,call 01246 824437 or email info@ukata.org.uk.

Click here to view our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Coronavirus – Business support to launch from today

23rd March 2020

Businesses will be able to access government support from today (Monday 23 March) to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will provide government-backed loans of up to £5 million to small and medium businesses.

The Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility will provide a quick and cost-effective way to raise working capital for those large firms who need it.
A business information campaign has launched to ensure that businesses are aware of support available.

Businesses will be able to access government support from today (Monday 23 March) to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus. Details of two new loan schemes are being confirmed and an information campaign launched so that businesses know how to get help.

More than £330 billion of loans and guarantees to help firms continue operating will be available for applications from the two schemes launching today – as the government delivers on its commitment to do everything it can to support business and manage cashflows during this difficult time.

For small and medium sized businesses, the new Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is now available for applications. This scheme will help any viable business with a turnover of up to £45m to access government-backed finance of up to £5 million. Interest payments and any lender-levied fees for businesses will be covered by the Government for an initial period of up to twelve months.

The government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each facility to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to SMEs. The scheme is available through more than 40 accredited lenders, which are listed on the British Business Bank website.

The Bank of England’s new lending facility for larger firms – the Covid Corporate Financing Facility – will also be open for applications to participate from this morning. By purchasing short-term corporate debt – known as commercial paper – the scheme provides a quick and cost-effective way to raise working capital for companies who are fundamentally strong but are experiencing severe disruption to cashflows, helping businesses across a range of sectors to pay wages and suppliers. The scheme is open to firms that can demonstrate that they were in sound financial health prior to the impact of Coronavirus. Companies who wish to use the scheme do not need to have issued commercial paper before.

A government information campaign has also launched today to ensure businesses are aware of the support available to them and how to access it. In addition to a new central website, the campaign will use media channels including radio, social media and television to reach businesses eligible for help.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said: “We are working round the clock to do whatever it takes to protect our people and businesses. That means that we are not only taking unprecedented action but doing so at unprecedented speed, because we know that businesses and their employees need help now.”

Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “We know that businesses are in urgent need of access to funding during these unprecedented times. The Business Interruption Scheme will make it easier for banks to lend and businesses to borrow. This will ensure that credit keeps flowing to where it is needed, when it is needed.”

Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, said: “The Bank of England has taken a number of steps in recent weeks to support the UK economy through the economic shock caused by covid-19. On Monday a new lending scheme, the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, will open to help businesses manage through this period of uncertainty. Combined with steps taken by the Government, this will help companies through this difficult time and support the needs of the people of this country.”

This builds on the Chancellor’s announcement on Friday of further support for firms and employees, meaning that businesses should have the access to the funds they need during this difficult period. Further measures will be announced to ensure larger and medium sized businesses will be able to access the credit they need.

Links to the information provided here and more can be found on the Destination Chesterfield Coronavirus Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home

Chesterfield technology company release free educational platform to support teachers through the Coronavirus outbreak

18th March 2020

Seymour & Lerhn, an eLearning company based in Chesterfield, have released their primary school education service for free until the 15th May, to help support primary school teachers across the UK during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Seymour & Lerhn offer a library interactive virtual tours, lesson plans and resource sheets for primary schools, to make learning immersive and educational. The virtual tours are accessible online, and aim to keep children immersed in education instead of being put off by potential home distractions.

The service has been released for free so teachers can begin to prepare for school closures, as the resources and virtual tours can assist teachers to set work for students to do from home. This is so education can continue, despite disruption of the Coronavirus.

All teachers have to do is make an account on www.seymourlerhn.com, and they will have access to every single teaching resource, lesson plan and virtual tour. From there, teachers can set tasks using the pre-made work sheets for students to complete by incorporating the activity as part of the virtual tours.

This work can be set using any home-school communication service, or by simply printing the worksheets to be sent home.

Seymour & Lerhn Head Honcho, Charlie Power (below), said: “We believe that releasing our platform for free could help primary school teachers to make life a little easier when it came to setting work for pupils to do at home. As the educational sector, we all need to band together to support schools during this challenging time, and we’ll pull through this like we always do.”

Primary school teacher, Sophie Maunders, said: “Seymour & Lerhn offer a fantastic platform to transport all children to a new world with the click of a finger. Their virtual reality programmes offer opportunities and experiences to children that they may not have otherwise had, all within the confines of their classroom or home. Definitely not one to miss.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield