Made in Chesterfield

Mitchells Accountants partners with Chesterfield College to provide apprenticeship opportunities

A Chesterfield Accountancy and business advice firm has grown its team by taking on several apprentices, having worked with Chesterfield College to provide employment opportunities for local people.

Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers are one of Chesterfield’s longest standing firms and has been at the heart of its business community for 150 years, as well as a long serving member of Chesterfield Champions.

Mitchells have also long been an Apprenticeship Ambassador, helping to promote Chesterfield as an Apprentice Town and raising awareness of apprenticeships and their benefits to strengthen the workforce of the local economy.

Mitchells recognises that university isn’t the only option available to those leaving school, which is why the firm offers apprenticeships for young people who wish to undertake the AAT qualification – the internationally recognised qualification based on real-world accounting knowledge.

Examples of recent success stories for Mitchells apprentices include the following:

  • Mitchells’ apprentice, Dominic Day has successfully finished his ICAEW exams and associated work this year to become a qualified member of the Institute.
  • Two ICAEW apprentices, Sophia Ferretto and Brandon Wazirali, have passed advanced level exams and are in the final stages of also becoming fully qualified Institute members.
  • Julie Clayton has progressed to the final exam in her ACCA apprenticeship and received glowing praise from their training provider for their dedication to both the training and the apprenticeship requirements.
  • Apprentices, Sophia Ferretto and Olivia Powell were both put forward by Mitchells for recognition in the Apprentice of the Year category at this year’s Love Chesterfield Awards. The applications showed how well thought of these individuals, along with their fellow apprentices, are by the firm and also the care taken to ensure they continue to develop and flourish.

From the moment their training begins, apprentices are assigned a mentor who monitors and supports their professional and personal development.  As well as becoming a full-time employee at Mitchells, with a salary and other associated benefits, they pay for their AAT apprentices to attend Chesterfield College on a day release basis to study.

Further industry specific qualifications are completed by apprentices including ATT, ACCA, ICAEW and CIOT on a similar basis using internationally recognised training providers.

Having used other training providers in the past, they now only use Chesterfield College for their AAT qualifications because the college is employer led and prepares students for their careers and helps develop ambitious students prepare for work and life.

Mitchells currently employs 5 AAT apprentices who all study at Chesterfield College. Associate Partner, Laura Pain said: “We strongly believe in attracting candidates leaving college and sixth form to help them get started at the ground level.” She went onto highlight two apprentices in the Business Services Team, which she heads up.

“Olivia Powell joined us at just 17 years old and has thrived over the past three years to the point where she is confident and comfortable dealing with the rest of the team, her clients and HMRC. Jessica Wright first joined Mitchells as a university placement student and returned to learn more. Jess achieved a Distinction at Level 2 AAT with an overall qualification percentage score of 96%.”

Olivia Powell and fellow AAT apprentices, Jasmine Pollard and Chloe Jones commented on why they chose the apprenticeship route: “Apprenticeships are a great way of gaining your qualifications whilst working along-side meaning you can put theory into practise and practise into theory. It is also means no commitment of university and allows you to get a head start into the world of work as you can begin your career as young as 16.”

They also commented: “Chesterfield College is a training provider that allows you to work with other apprentices who are working towards the same qualifications as yourself. This not only supports us but allows us to have an insight into all the aspects of accounting, whether this is in industry or practise as you are working with people from a diverse range of job roles. Chesterfield College is extremely local to Mitchells and you are given a day release each week in order to attend the lessons. The lessons are in person allowing you to engage more and ask for any help or resources if needed. Printers and laptops are also available to use on campus which can be used after teaching hours. College tutors are also accessible via email and on teams whenever you need them showing they are very willing to contribute towards your success during AAT.”

Henry Taylor-Toone, Vice Principal Finance and Corporate Services at Chesterfield College said the following: “We’re very proud that Mitchells, a very well known and established Chesterfield business, has chosen Chesterfield College as their training provider. Chesterfield College is employer focused and our partnership with Mitchells demonstrates exactly what we can provide to local businesses – top quality education, delivered locally, helping apprentices, students and adults succeed in their chosen field. Apprentices from Mitchells are also a delight to teach which is always a bonus!”

David Waining, the firms Qualified Person Responsible for Training (QPRT) said “We have been very proud to work with all our apprentices. The joint provision between the training providers and ourselves provides the trainees with valuable experience of the practical work to apply the technical knowledge they have picked up in the classroom. We have had numerous success stories at all levels of the apprenticeship scheme and have looked to expand the number of apprenticeships we are offering across the firm because of these successes. We see this as a vital resource to grow our workforce.”

Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers and Chesterfield College support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

Major investment for Chesterfield metals supplier to support growth

A Chesterfield business has secured a £1million investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), provided by The FSE Group Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme.

The funding for International Energy Products follows a £500,000 MEIF loan in November last year, which helped the company with a range of business growth activities including marketing, IT, new jobs and a move to bigger premises.

The most recent loan will be used for further staff hires, equipment purchase, and maintaining stock levels to support new contracts.

International Energy Products is a metal stockholder and processor of speciality alloys servicing the oil, gas and renewable energy industries as well as aerospace, marine and defence sectors.

The company was set up in 2017 by Emma Beresford who spent the next two years establishing a robust supply model before full trading commenced in 2020. This has placed the company ahead of the curve in a market where an already challenging supply environment has been worsened by the war in Ukraine.

International Energy Products Founder and Managing Director, Emma Beresford, said: “Having just reached the point of trading when the pandemic hit, our growth plans inevitably slowed but we are now ready to scale up in line with the recovery of our customer base.

“As a new business that doesn’t have the trading history needed for bank funding, the MEIF loan will help us with the cashflow and capacity needed to take on new, large contracts and we are thankful to FSE for investing in our future growth.”

Ann Marie McFadyen, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “We would like to thank Sanjay Vallabh from Vallabh Associates for introducing us to International Energy Products. Emma is a forward-thinking MD who knows her market well and has been appointed Export Champion for the Department for International Trade for the second year running.

“Her innovative approach has allowed her to minimise risk and future-proof against supply chain issues and pricing. Years of hard work have paid off with this small business now years ahead of its competitors and we are thrilled to be supporting Emma and her team at this crucial point in their growth journey.”

Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager, UK Network at the British Business Bank, added: “The previous round of MEIF funding for International Energy Products supported its initial growth and created new jobs in the region, while this second funding round will continue to support these activities. With more Midlands businesses moving past post-pandemic recovery and into the growth stage, we encourage more companies to consider MEIF funding to support their development.”

Will Morlidge, Chief Executive of D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “The D2N2 area is the cradle of the Industrial Revolution and remains the heartland on manufacturing in the UK. It’s businesses like IEP that underpin our amazing manufacturers, so it’s great to see them being supported. They supply to many businesses who are crucial to us being able to transition to a net-zero future, so the impact of their growth will be felt in businesses across the region.”

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2022 and the European Investment Bank.

The FSE Group, MEIF Debt Finance Fund provides loans between £100,000 and £1.5 million to help growing SMEs across the region. For more information visit: www.thefsegroup.com/fund/midlands-engine-investment-fund-debt-finance or contact Ann Marie McFadyen.

To find out more about the wide range of benefits Chesterfield has to offer your business, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

www.francesmilburnphotography.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Recruitment Event returns to Chesterfield Market

People searching for work in Chesterfield are being invited to a recruitment event, where they can meet employers and find out more about local job vacancies and training schemes that lead to employment.

The recruitment event is on Wednesday 12 October between 10am and 12pm in Chesterfield market place.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Our previous events have helped a lot of people secure new careers in Chesterfield. This event is really important because it helps connect job seekers and employers, allowing them to informally meet one another and discuss available roles prior to an application. This event is here to help you find your next job and I hope lots of people will come and find out more about the opportunities available to them in Chesterfield.”

Paul Munday, Employer Adviser at DWP Jobcentre Plus Derbyshire, said: “After the success of the last three recruitment events held in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council, we are very excited to be running a fourth on Wednesday 12 October.

“For this event, as well as giving Chesterfield Residents the opportunity to speak to local employers and find sustainable employment, we are also running a Health & Wellbeing event in the Market Hall Assembly Rooms. This event will offer specialised support for residents with health conditions, as well as providing advice for the current cost of living crisis.”

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

There will be lots of opportunities available on the day from a range of sectors including, hospitality, social care, engineering, logistics, transport and many more.

As well as job opportunities there will also be several apprenticeship providers who are currently recruiting for new apprentices. An apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to earn while you learn and can help people at any stage in life. Search for apprenticeships in Chesterfield by visiting: www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield

Derbyshire Careers Service will also be attending the event to promote training courses but also advise job seekers on how they can get support with their CV and interview techniques.

Market Recruitment event

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Three young people in the running for top apprentice title at the Love Chesterfield Awards

One young person is set to be named as the town’s top apprentice next month.

Henry Kay, Ria Smith and Will Brooks are all in the running for the prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award in the annual 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management.

The award, which is sponsored by DBC Training, recognises apprentices that have made a significant contribution to the success of a local organisation.

Henry (21), a trainee accountant at BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax, follows in the footsteps of the company’s founder, who also started his career as an apprentice. “I’m happy to be considered for the Apprentice of the Year award, it feels great to be a finalist. I chose to do an apprenticeship because it was a good way to get into accounting without having to take the traditional university route; it was the better option for me.”

Graham Nash, Director of BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax added: “Apprenticeships provide good quality young people and the opportunity to mould best practice in business for both the apprentice and the company. I am the result of an apprenticeship and have seen many diamonds found and nurtured to reach great potential.”

Ria (22), who is a Support Office Assistant at Peak Pharmacy, began her career with the company when she assisted with its COVID-19 vaccination clinics. She said: “I feel very grateful to have been shortlisted for this award. I was so excited when I found out I had been nominated!

“During the pandemic, I was given the opportunity to work for Peak Pharmacy in its COVID-19 vaccination clinics both within Casa Hotel and the Clay Cross Pharmacy. I was ready to further my education and jumped at the opportunity when I saw Peak Pharmacy was advertising for an apprentice in its support office. I love the fast pace of the office and no two days are the same. My apprenticeship has allowed me to start from scratch and build a career for the future.”

Andrea Street, Head of Support Office at Peak Pharmacy said: “Having apprentices has given us the opportunity to develop and grow a talented and motivated workforce. The aim is to see them move into permanent roles within our company and continue their training. Ria’s energy and enthusiasm has without doubt had a positive impact on our Support team and across the company. She is a valued member of our team, and we couldn’t be happier that she chose to complete her apprenticeship with us!”

Will (19) who is a Digital Marketing Apprentice at Superior Wellness has taken on several additional marketing responsibilities in the business this year and has been praised by his employer for ‘stepping up’.

Will commented: “I’m very happy to be included in the shortlist for the Apprentice of the Year award. I chose the route of an apprenticeship as I feel it suited my work style much better than going to university and could give me experience in the workplace at a young age. It’s had a big impact on me in terms of my ambition and motivation.”

Sarah Elphick, Head of Marketing at Superior Wellness added: Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people to start their careers and we are huge advocates of them. Will adapted to his role well and was keen to learn from day one.

“In April, our two marketing executives left the business, leaving Will and myself to take on several additional responsibilities. Will adapted to this change in a calm and professional way and was excited about the prospect of additional responsibilities. Will has really stepped up and is doing the same level of work as the marketing executives despite being at the start of his career.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield congratulated Ria, Will and Henry commenting: “Apprentices play such a pivotal role in fulfilling the town’s ambitions for growth. Having a pool of young talent is crucial both for our existing businesses and potential investors in the area so it’s important we give recognition to the apprentices and their employers who are helping them progress in their careers within the town.”

The Apprentice of the Year award is one of 15 categories in the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards. The winners of all the categories will be announced at a glittering black-tie ceremony at The Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 12 October.

See the full list of 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/

As well as Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management and DBC Training, the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are also supported and made possible by Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Elder Way, Great2, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and Sutton McGrath Hartley.

Peter Swallow added: “After the uncertainty of the last two years, the Destination Chesterfield team is working to ensure the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards is the best yet, which is only possible through the generosity of our sponsors.”

There are a limited number of sponsorship packages available. If you’re interested in sponsoring the awards, information is available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or by contacting Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.

2021 Apprentice of the Year Award winner, Ellie Gibson – Heathcotes Group

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

Find the route to success with an Apprenticeship in Wholesale, Distribution and Export

Wholesale, Distribution and Export offers a wide variety of job opportunities from the warehouse floor to delivery, marketing, management and much more.

There are many benefits to choosing an apprenticeship as a career route and this blog explores the views from current apprentices working in the sector.

Wholesale, Distribution and Export in Chesterfield

Chesterfield is an ideal location for Wholesale, Distribution and Export businesses due to the network links and easy access to the M1 motorway.

We have seen an increased business growth in this sector through the Markham Vale development, one of the UKs premier logistics locations. Businesses located at the 200-acre business park include Daher Aerospace Limited, Great Bear, Ferdinand Bilstein, Grangers Ltd, MSE Hiller and Industrial Ancillaries, just to name a few!

1000’s of jobs are supported at Markham Vale; for anyone interested in starting a career at Markham Vale you can see the latest vacancies over on the Jobs at Markham Vale Facebook page.

The Apprentice Perspective

The success of Markham Vale has supported the growth of businesses in this sector. Located at Markham Vale, MSE Hiller supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries.

Ewan Walker, Level 3 Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at MSE Hiller is responsible for engineering the products which the company distribute across the UK.

Ewan Walker MSE Hiller 873x466

Ewan said: “I chose an apprenticeship in this sector as I have an interest in mechanical engineering and want to be a part of the future of mechanical engineering. I enjoy that every day is slightly different and there’s constantly new challenges to overcome.

One benefit of choosing an engineering apprenticeship is that you’re learning a skill and gaining a qualification, whilst earning an income.”

Chesterfield based Superior Wellness is Europe’s largest hot tub distributor, importing from several countries to offer a wide choice of hot tubs, swim spas and other related products to the trade and retail customers.

Meet Elicia Allott and Will Brooks, Digital Marketing Apprentices at Superior Wellness.

Will and Elicia 873x466

Marketing and having a digital presence plays an important role in this sector, to ensure your company is well-known by stakeholders across the world.

Elicia said: “I’m involved in the maintenance of my company’s digital presence, including website content editing, email marketing, social media management and content creation.

The digital marketing industry is such a fast-paced and constantly evolving industry, therefore going down the apprenticeship route has given me an opportunity to immerse myself straight into the industry and get hands on experience. Choosing an apprenticeship in digital marketing means that I am able to build on my digital marketing knowledge to gain relevant and qualifications alongside developing my skills such as creativity through real work experience.”

Will added: “Personally, for me, as university was never in my plan, completing an apprenticeship was always the path I wanted to pursue. It is easy when you’re young to overlook how beneficial an apprenticeship can be, but hopefully sharing my experience will help others see the huge benefit.

Overall, I feel the benefit of choosing an apprenticeship is you get the chance to learn on the job from a young age, whilst bringing in a stable income and also developing your skills within a proper working environment.”

Global Brands is one of the UK’s leading drinks brand development businesses which owns, markets and distributes a range of brands across the spirit, beer, ready to drink beverages and energy drink categories. Global Brands exports to over 30 countries around the world including Germany, Spain and Africa.

Level 3 Business Admin Apprentices, Gaby Hopkinson and Charlotte Pebworth, shared their experiences as an apprentice at Global Brands.

Gabby and Charlotte 873x466

Charlotte said: “We are both doing a business admin apprenticeship in a warehouse setting for Global Brands. Both Gaby and I have an interest in business studies and we both studied it at sixth form and college. We enjoy the relaxed environment we work in and working alongside our experienced and supportive colleagues. It is a hugely successful business, and we are glad to be a part of the team.”

Gaby added: “An apprenticeship provides experience of the working environment, whilst learning the job at the same time. We get paid to learn and it’s all about gaining the experience to progress through the business in the future.”

Find an Apprenticeship in Wholesale, Distribution and Export

As you can see from the apprentices that we spoke to, the Wholesale, Distribution and Export sector offers various job roles to suit every skill set and an apprenticeship offers the perfect opportunity to kickstart your career.

Use our search tool to browse the hundreds of apprenticeship vacancies currently available in and around Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield/

 

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Apprenticeships in Chesterfield now even easier to find online

Young people looking for an apprenticeship in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire have been given a helping hand.

A new online search tool has been launched by Apprentice Town making it quicker and easier than ever before to search for apprenticeship vacancies.

The new search function, which is hosted on the Destination Chesterfield website, enables people to browse the wide range of Level 2 – 7 apprenticeship roles within a 15-mile radius of Chesterfield.

People can search for apprenticeship vacancies based on both subject area and Level, with hundreds of opportunities currently available in the local area.

With thousands of young people set to pick up their GCSE and A Level exam results next month; the Apprentice Town website has been praised by business and education leaders in the town.

Ivan Fomin, Managing Director of MSE Hiller, Destination Chesterfield board member and an apprentice employer, commented: “The practical benefits of the Apprentice Town initiative are invaluable both to young people and businesses based in Chesterfield. I have been an employer in Chesterfield for 25 years and I have always made a point of offering apprenticeships; they are an intrinsic part of both Chesterfield’s and MSE Hiller’s growth ambitions.”

Chesterfield College Group Principal and CEO, Julie Richards explains: “We’re proud to have supported so many generations of workforce to Chesterfield employers through apprenticeship programmes. Post-pandemic, it’s pleasing to see that the appetite for recruiting young talent into a business via earning whilst learning is still as great as ever. There are so many fantastic opportunities out there from Level 2 right through to degree equivalent apprenticeships and I strongly encourage those considering their options when leaving school, or even mature learners, to consider an apprenticeship route to achieve the career they want.”

In 2017, Chesterfield became the first town in the UK to declare itself an ‘Apprentice Town’, demonstrating its commitment to growing the future and careers of young people alongside business and the economy.

Chesterfield Borough Council leads the Apprentice Town initiative, which aims to increase the number, levels and quality of apprenticeships available by raising awareness of apprenticeship opportunities in Chesterfield including traineeships, higher level apprenticeships and align these with opportunities emerging in the area.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re proud to be the first Apprentice Town in the UK, an apprenticeship is much more than just a job. They allow people to develop their skills and set them along a career path which leads to higher paying jobs – improving their quality of life and helping our borough’s economy to grow.

“We’re committed to making it easier for our residents to find the right apprenticeship opportunity for them, so that everyone has the chance to build a great career in our borough.”

To access the search tool, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield/

Or, for more information on the Apprentice Town initiative, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/what-is-apprentice-town/

 

Apprentice Town - Find Your Apprenticeship - Social Media Landscape2

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

Chairman’s Blog: New office spaces are helping Chesterfield attract investment

Summer in Chesterfield is proving eventful, and I’m not just talking about the weather.

Once again (the pandemic years excepting) we are seeing a packed events calendar – Chesterfield Pride, The Festival of Cricket, The Great British Food Festival and the Peak District Highland Games to name just a few.

Chesterfield Pride

It’s wonderful to see most things returning to normal. The same, however can’t be said for the extremes of temperature and rising energy prices, which we have all been experiencing.

Amongst many other things, these issues have only highlighted the need for high quality, sustainable, energy efficient office space to be available in Chesterfield. Workers need to be at a comfortable temperature, businesses need to be able to afford the occupational costs, including energy bills.

The many businesses that have chosen to make the stunning new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre their home must be feeling particularly pleased with their decision. The Enterprise Centre, which opened in July, is the first of two recently constructed high quality office developments in Chesterfield town centre.

One Waterside Place at Chesterfield Waterside will open later this year giving the town much-needed modern large floor plate office space which will help us attract investment as well as provide space for growth for established businesses in the borough. Tenants have already been identified for significant elements of the space, who will take up occupation on completion.

The Enterprise Centre and One Waterside Place are a key part of Chesterfield Council’s ambitious growth strategy that will see large scale investment and regeneration across the borough.

A key part of that strategy is ensuring there are jobs and opportunities for local people, particularly school leavers. It is important that they know they can grow their careers here in Chesterfield, and that there are suitable premises available for potential employers.

Destination Chesterfield has long worked with education and training providers across Chesterfield to both raise awareness of the skills requirements from businesses and introduce young people to the careers available to them here.

We have also been actively involved in delivering a number of proactive initiatives targeting young people, including Apprentice Town, MyFuture and the forthcoming Made in Chesterfield campaign in November.

Made in Chesterfield school visits and activities alone have introduced more than 3500 pupils to STEM careers in the local economy since the campaign was launched in 2015 and Chesterfield College has also reported an increase in the number of students getting involved in STEM related subjects.

The Made in Chesterfield school visits and activities are open to all year 6 – 13 pupils and are free. I would urge as many schools as possible to take advantage of these.

Whether business owner, educator, parent or relative, we all have a role to play in actively encouraging more young people to both live, work and grow their careers in this great town.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , ,

The Visitor Economy: a sector with a growing number of career opportunities

Chesterfield not only attracts local residents, but also visitors from further afield. Visitors spend in 2019 had generated an estimated £203 million into the visitor economy and supported over 2,347 jobs in the local area.

To help you understand what a career in visitor economy is like, we spoke to current and former apprentices who currently work within Chesterfield’s leisure, hospitality, and retail sectors.

What’s it like working in visitor economy?

A career in the visitor economy can be exciting due to the diverse range of job roles on offer. You could find yourself working in events, hospitality, accommodation, tourist services, visitor attraction and much more.

Meet Brandon Howard, a Level 4 Marketing Executive apprentice at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre. Working in marketing is usually about promoting and selling a product or service, but in visitor economy it’s all about selling and promoting a place for people to come and visit.

Vicar Lane Big Screen

Brandon said: “I enjoy working in the visitor attraction sector, as it’s really fulfilling organising events that benefits lots of local people and businesses, as well as visitors from further afield. I like being in such an open and varied environment with something different always going on.

My apprenticeship is a nice mixture between learning and working and I feel like I’m helping the company, as well as my own career progression, move forward. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to others looking to take a similar career path to me. Apprenticeships are a great steppingstone to bright futures.”

Apprenticeships offer a fantastic progression route

Venues in Chesterfield such as the Pomegranate and Winding Wheel theatres host a range of musicals, stand-up comedy, music concerts and other productions, meaning they attract regional audiences and play an important role in our visitor economy.

Winding-Wheel

Jack Floyd, Senior Technician for Chesterfield Venues, completed a level 3 apprenticeship in Leadership and Management and explains why an apprenticeship offers a fantastic progression route.

Jack said: “An apprenticeship in leadership and management has allowed me to take the specialist knowledge gained throughout my career and properly apply it in leadership situations. I hope to take the skills I have learned and use them to progress into technical or venue management.”

You can discover more about becoming an apprentice here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/

Develop transferable skills working in hospitality

Lucy Bacon, Assistant Marketing Manager of the Casa Hotel Group, demonstrates how working in hospitality helps you gain transferable skills which can be applied to other career opportunities.

Cocina Restaurant (002)

Lucy explained: “I started out at Casa Hotel working part time, alongside my school studies, in the Cocina Restaurant. This gave me a great base of transferable skills to grow on! I was able to work quickly and efficiently, think on my feet and was confident in speaking to all manner of guests. My journey in Cocina then quickly moved from part time to full time, and from Food and Beverage Attendant to Restaurant Supervisor. In my more senior position, I supported the restaurant team through busy service, communicated well with our Chefs, and dealt with any issues which may arise.

After some time developing my food and beverage knowledge further, I began to take interest in the Marketing of our products and services both for the Restaurant and the Hotel as a whole. The Management team here at Casa gave me the opportunity and support to gain my qualification in Marketing as well as move over fully into the Marketing of both Casa and Peak Edge. I am now the proud Assistant Marketing Manager of the Casa Hotel Group and am grateful of the opportunities I have been given whilst working in the Hospitality Industry.”

Fancy a career working in the visitor economy?

The visitor economy in Chesterfield is expected to see a significant boost from a number of planned developments across the borough and will create further job offers in the local area, creating even more career opportunities

You can use our search tool to browse the hundreds of apprenticeship vacancies currently available in and around Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield/

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CBE+ completes multi-million pound investment in Chesterfield manufacturing facility

Engineering supply chain solution provider CBE+ has completed the relocation of its five divisions together under one roof in a 100,000 sq ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chesterfield.

The company, which employs 80 people, has been operating its services from two separate sites since 2017 when business owners Marie Cooper and Chris Brown acquired the 5 legacy businesses which make up CBE+ today.

CBE+ ENP – formerly Nitec UK – is the final company division to move its operations to the CBE+ headquarters, the former BG Engineering base in Chesterfield.

Five plating lines, blasting and heat treatment capabilities have now been installed on site, the £4m project is a major milestone for the business, solidifying its vision of “multiple capabilities under one roof“ and embarking on its journey to NET ZERO.

A major part of the investment included the installation of a combined heat and power system which captures the heat generated as a by-product of the electrical power generation and is used to provide heat energy for the surface treatment processes carried out in areas of the factory.  The CHP installation, along with a number of other energy saving initiatives, coupled with the benefits of operating from a single location, means CBE+ has managed to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 50%.  In addition, a new effluent plant has been installed which filters and neutralises all waste chemistry generated on site used allowing environmentally safe disposal and recycling.

CEO Marie Cooper says: “Chesterfield has proved to be a fantastic home for our business, and our latest milestone is something we are proud of, along with our plans to continue this growth journey, supporting our customers and the local economy. It was fantastic to welcome over 40 people to look around our facility, and show how we support our customers.”

CBE+ technical director, Chris Brown, commented: “The goal has always been to have all our services under one roof, not only does this create one cohesive team, but it also makes it easier for our customers to access multiple services. Moving five engineering businesses onto a single site has been a five-year project, with a lot of people working together to make it happen, and I can’t thank the team enough for their hard work.

“Relocating our ENP division is the final piece in the jigsaw that will allow us to deliver capabilities beyond engineering from a single location, providing our customers with streamlined, stress-free supply chains. And the addition of the new combined heat and power and effluent systems is an exciting step on our journey to becoming a greener business, by significantly reducing the amount of waste and energy used on site.”

CBE+ was formed from the acquisition of BG Engineering in 2017 by Marie Cooper and Chris Brown. This acquisition was shortly followed by electroless nickel plating business Nitec UK Ltd and Spire Laboratories in 2017, then Pentag Gears and Oilfield Equipment in 2018. The Wire EDM facility was acquired in 2021.

Following a full business integration, the group rebranded as CBE+ in 2019, providing multidisciplinary engineering services to manufacturers in niche markets including aerospace, defence, automotive, oil and gas. The company provides electroless nickel plating (ENP), precision engineering, gear cutting and laboratory testing, wire EDM, assembly, surface treatment and pressure testing independently, but its real strength lies in the ability to combine multiple services, providing tailored solutions for customers and streamlining their supply chains.

Last week, the company opened its doors to customers, suppliers, and manufacturing businesses from the Made In network for breakfast, company presentations and a factory tour, followed by a walk-in session later in the day to showcase the CBE+ design and engineering capabilities.

CBE+ has opened its doors on numerous occasions to young people across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire in support of Made In Chesterfield, a campaign inspiring the next generation to sectors such as manufacturing and construction.

Check out our recent blog on National Manufacturing Day 2o22, which celebrated some of the great activity taking place across the sector in Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2022/07/chesterfield-celebrates-national-manufacturing-day-2022/

To find out more about the benefits of locating your business in Chesterfield, including great connectivity to the M1 motorway, rail network and nearby cities, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

CBE+ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Peak Indicators donates 19 laptops to Chesterfield College

Peak Indicators has recently donated 19 laptops to Chesterfield College, so that they can be used by people who need them the most.

The laptops were no longer needed at Peak so it was decided to donate them as part of the company’s “Giving Something Back Scheme”.

Students on the IT Network Infrastructure Technician course at Chesterfield College are going to take the laptops, perform another reset and wipe them, before installing a new operating system.

Once the laptops have gone through the resetting process, the college will work with charities in the local area to distribute the laptops to families and groups that need them the most. The recipients will often be people who don’t have access to a computer or laptop.

The donation also provides the opportunity to develop the skills of the college’s students and helps Peak Indicators to contribute and support the local community. It has also prevented waste going to landfill.

Kenneth Neilson, Managing Director of Peak Indicators said: “I am delighted that we can recycle our laptops in such a way that they will make a huge difference to those that need them most in the local community once reprovisioned by the students at Chesterfield College.”

Piers Ching of Chesterfield College commented: “I wanted to say again many many thanks for your donation, it’s contributions like this that are genuinely life changing for families and individuals”.

Peak Indicators is a visionary Data Services, Data Science & Advanced Analytics consultancy based in Chesterfield. The company brings together a diverse and passionate team with best-in-breed technologies and methods to deliver innovative solutions that drive transformational results.

The firm believes data can be a force for good; helping people make better decisions and helping companies grow.

Peak Indicators supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Schools urged to get involved with Made in Chesterfield 2022

Schools and training providers can now book free workplace tours, with engineering, manufacturing, property, and construction businesses as part of Made in Chesterfield 2022.

The annual campaign, which is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield is taking place between 7 November – 2 December later this year. It is designed to expose pupils to the vast array of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) careers available in businesses across the town. The visits can also support schools in their efforts to achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Open to Year 6 – 13 students, a diverse line-up of businesses have already signed up to deliver tours of their sites, including United Cast Bar, MSE Hiller, Penny Hydraulics, Aztec Oils, SCR, Superior Wellness and Trans-Tronic.

Praising the workplace tours, Nick McGowan, Assistant Headteacher at Whittington Green School, which visited Woodhead Construction as part of Made in Chesterfield 2021, said: “We’ve been teaching construction in the school for the last 15 years and one thing we have always struggled with is access to site, so the visit was absolutely brilliant. It opened the students’ horizons to the jobs and opportunities within the construction sector.”

Mark Lord, Managing Director of Aztec Oils, which has been involved in the Made in Chesterfield campaign for several years added: “We fully support the Made in Chesterfield initiative, helping young people develop skills and interests to broaden their career opportunities. We gladly facilitate school visits for those interested in chemistry and manufacturing, giving insight into process, the varying job roles and the key skills required for each.

“We’ve had great engagement from students so far who seem interested and genuinely inspired by what they see at Aztec Oils. I personally think it’s an important scheme and I know it would have been of great value to me when I was at school”

Carol Claydon, Head of HR at Superior Wellness also commented on their involvement with the campaign: “We are delighted to be involved, once again, with the workplace tours organised as part of Made in Chesterfield. The campaign is a fantastic way to inspire the next generation and hopefully showcase the different sectors and opportunities that are available within the local area.”

All Made in Chesterfield school visits are organised by Direct Education Business Partnership, an organisation which specialises in supporting the aspirational decision making of young people to shape their future helping them to fulfil their potential.

As well as the workplace tours, during Made in Chesterfield schools can access a range of careers videos and tours of Chesterfield businesses to allow young people to experience the tours, activities and careers information they would receive in person, virtually. Alongside this, young people can access the MyFuture Virtual Careers Exhibition, where they can meet local employers, learn about exciting employment opportunities and much more.

Already, Made in Chesterfield school visits and activities have introduced more than 3500 pupils to careers in the sector since the campaign was launched in 2015. Chesterfield College has also reported an increase in the number of students getting involved in STEM related subjects.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “These Made in Chesterfield tours provide a fantastic opportunity for both students and teachers to learn about potential careers at local businesses. Inspiring the next generation of workers and helping them to understand employability skills is crucial to ensure the town continues to grow and thrive.”

Julie Richards, Principal and CEO of Chesterfield College Group which sponsors the campaign said: “Our commitment to the next generation of local workforce is to inspire them and equip them with the skills and experience that sets them up for a successful career in industry. A large part of that relies on the involvement of local employers to provide vital opportunities such as industry placements, work experience, site visits, guest lectures and apprenticeships to help a young person experience an industry.”

In addition to the Chesterfield College Group, Made in Chesterfield is supported by Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire North Careers Hub, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd and NatWest. The organisation of Made in Chesterfield is financially supported by the D2N2 Derbyshire North Careers Hub as part of their regional Open Doors programme.

Schools wishing to arrange a workplace visit should contact Direct Education Business Partnership on 01246 212535 or email madeinchesterfieldvisits@debp.org. Or, if you’re a local manufacturing, engineering, property or construction business that would like to find out more about Made in Chesterfield, please visit here and register for a drop-in session organised by Destination Chesterfield: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/made-in-chesterfield-business-drop-in-session-tickets-366705314467

 

 

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,