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Chesterfield office campaign launched to capitalise on post Covid ‘flight to prime’ by businesses and investors

Chesterfield is set to capitalise on the ‘flight to prime’ trend by businesses looking for high quality office space in the aftermath of COVID-19, with the launch of a brand-new digital marketing campaign.

With 81% of UK businesses agreeing they need to implement a new workplace strategy, following the lockdown-induced Work From Home movement, Chesterfield’s new campaign aims to prove it has the space to suit office requirements in the town as well as offering a central location and excellent road and rail links.

Launched at the town’s annual Celebrate Chesterfield event on 23 March, the new office campaign aims to reach national businesses looking for regional satellite office space as well as local start-ups and established businesses looking to expand.

The campaign, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, has been developed by Destination Chesterfield is partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire Economic Partnership.

Chesterfield newest office developments, One Waterside Place and The Enterprise Centre both feature in the new campaign. Due to be completed later this year, they bring more than 100,000 sq ft of additional office space to Chesterfield’s offering.

The Government’s work from home advice was lifted on Thursday 27 January in England after being in place for nearly two years. With many organisations expected to adopt a work from home/office hybrid approach, demand has increased for flexible, modern large floor plate working space which is easily adaptable and has Covid measures in place.

Launching the campaign, which has been designed by digital agency Defeye Creative, Dom Stevens Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “Progress on the new office developments continued throughout the pandemic and this has put Chesterfield in an excellent position to capitalise on the changing demands for office space post Covid.

“People have been exposed to new ways of working, prompting companies of all sizes and sectors to completely rethink their workplace needs. People now want more choice in how, when and where they work, and we can meet this demand in Chesterfield.”

“With the new office developments at Waterside, the Enterprise Centre and The Glass Yard, alongside existing office provision, Chesterfield can now cater for businesses at every stage of their life cycle – from incubation stage to maturity.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “Chesterfield is a fantastic option for businesses whether they are looking to start, relocate or grow. We have a strong community, a skilled workforce, fantastic transport connections and a bright future.  We’ve seen recently that the quality of life particularly for young families is unmatched and together all these factors show that Chesterfield is open for business. We are in an excellent position to recover from the pandemic and welcome new businesses and residents to our borough.”

To learn more about available office space in Chesterfield, visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

Flexible workspace that grows with your business.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield announced as new home for Pinelog Ltd

A leading manufacturer of timber holiday lodges and buildings, Pinelog Ltd, is set to relocate its production facility from Bakewell to Chesterfield and create 30 new jobs.

Nick Grayson, Chairman of Pinelog Group, a family-owned business which also owns Landal Darwin Forest and Landal Sandybrook Holiday Parks and employs approximately 240 people, made the announcement at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event held on Wednesday 23 March at the Winding Wheel.

Known as a pioneer in the holiday park sector, the move to Chesterfield marks the end of Pinelog’s 10-year ambition to modernise their premises. The company will make the move from Bakewell, where it has been based since 1974, to its new premises on Sheepbridge Works in May later this year.

The new 36,000sq ft industrial unit, formerly occupied by Vesuvius, will enable the company to bring its production process under one roof. The site also offers a central location, excellent road links and access to a skilled local labour force and supply chain network.

In addition to complete holiday lodges, components for the construction of timber Glulam framed commercial buildings designed and built by Pinelog, will also be manufactured at the new site.

Mr Grayson said: “Our refusal to compromise on our requirements for a new facility has meant it has been a long process, but it has paid off. All our requirements have been met at Chesterfield.

“The move to our new facility in Sheepbridge marks a new chapter in Pinelog’s story; one where we can modernise, invest in new technology and further improve the business to capitalise on the staycation boom and growth in sustainable construction.”

As part of the company’s exciting growth plans, Pinelog will develop partnerships with local skills providers, including Chesterfield College.

He added: “A number of our staff live in Chesterfield, as do I, so I know there is a good local labour pool we can draw on immediately to increase production capacity in the business. We have also got to look to our future workforce, so we will be investing in apprenticeships and skills and training through Chesterfield College.”

Mr Grayson’s announcement was welcomed by delegates at the business event, which was is organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby and sponsored by CT and Markham Vale.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, welcomed Pinelog Ltd to Chesterfield saying: “The investment by Pinelog in the town is testament to Chesterfield’s strong offering for manufacturing businesses. We not only have excellent road and transport links, but we also have the premises, people and skills and good local supplier network. Our economic development team have worked closely with Pinelog to help support their move into the town. I am delighted that Chesterfield has been selected by Pinelog as the location to take the business to the next level and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them as they settle into their new business base here in Chesterfield.”

Now in its twelfth year, Celebrate Chesterfield is one of the most hotly anticipated business events in the area. This year, the sell-out event also hosted the Derbyshire Festival of Business Exhibition and attracted 250 delegates.

Dominic Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “Despite the challenges the pandemic has thrown at the town, Chesterfield has kept moving and the announcement by Pinelog Group at the conference was testament to that. We’re delighted that Pinelog chose Celebrate Chesterfield as the event to share its relocation news.”

In addition to Mr Grayson, speakers at the conference also included Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, Neil Johnson, Director of Economic Growth at Chesterfield Borough Council, and Professor Warren Manning, Provost Innovation and Research at the University of Derby.

To find out more about investing in Chesterfield, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/invest.

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‘Wellness Wednesday’ initiative launched by Great2

A Chesterfield business which provides quality co-working spaces for budding entrepreneurs, alongside a plethora of advice and support has launched a new initiative to focus on the wellbeing of its members.

Great2 is now hosting ‘Wellness Wednesday’ events, providing the Great2 network with weekly yoga sessions, hosted by Chesterfield’s Holy Cow Yoga.

Great2Work member Becka Tung commented: “The yoga class that Great2 offers not only helps me clear my mind and gives me a mid-week boost, it also gives me an incentive to come in to the office and see everyone! It is a lovely team building activity and I’ve become a lot closer to colleagues who I ordinarily wouldn’t interact with that much. It’s a lovely perk, thanks Great2!”

The launch follows the success of Trough Tuesdays, which provide members with opportunities to socialise and network in an informal setting, while enjoying a spot of lunch.

Speaking on the launch of Wellness Wednesday, Lynne Pope, Social Media and Content Specialist at Great2 said: “At Great2 we believe that an individual’s wellbeing is essential to a company’s wellbeing. The last 2 years have been tough on everyone so now, more than ever, we need to ensure we care for the wellbeing of our employees and Great2Work coworking members.

“Our coworking space in Chesterfield is not just an office, it is a place where we want entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow and thrive. Our members need balance between working hard and looking after themselves, which is often difficult to achieve. This is why we put on our Wellness Wednesday events and also provide fresh fruit in the coworking office every day.”

Businesses wishing to attend can register for membership by emailing enquiries@great2.co.uk. Flexible membership packages are available to suit various needs.

Great2 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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Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care announces rebrand and new franchise model

Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care, based in Chesterfield has undergone a major rebrand with a view to franchising the successful businesses to enable further growth.

The business has also annouced it’s first ever ‘Easter Doggy Fayre,’ which aims to bring together people and their pooches at the centre for a day of family fun.

Rose Cottage has been trading since 2017 now and is very well established with in the Chesterfield community. The business has also gained national recognition having been named ‘Kennel of the Year Award 2021’ by the Pet Industry Federation.

Now, Rose Cottage is tweaking its branding to focus more on ‘DogLand,’ which is the overall company name. This name and brand will be used as part of the new franchise model being implemented by the business.

The team has also announced the development of many more additional assets to DogLand, including an app to help with pain points in the dog industry and revolutionising care in the canine community. On top of that, the brand-new ‘Podcast Camper’ will be travelling up and down the UK talking to everyone with a story to tell about dogs.

Dawn Brown, Founder of Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care and DogLand commented: “We are very excited to announce that we have been working towards our overall goal of franchising for the last 3 years it’s been very much the goal since day one of starting this journey.

“We want to give other people the opportunity to work as we do by buying into our franchise model. The dream is very close to becoming a reality and we are excited to welcome new franchisees on board with our mission.

“I’m from Sheffield originally however after moving to Chesterfield and starting a business I found the local support invaluable to my success.  Nervous in the beginning that I was new to the area and new to the community, everyone was so friendly and soon jumped on board my mission and understood my vision.

“We support a number of local key workers with our services giving them the peace of mind that their fur babies are cared for to a high standard when they are at work.  Covid-19 was a very difficult time for small local businesses, however because of the loyalty of my customers in my community we withstood the pandemic and learnt a lot from what our clients wanted and expected and we came out the pandemic stronger than ever. Without the local support this would not be possible.”

On top of the new franchise, DogLand is inviting owners and their furry friends to an all-day Easter Doggy Fayre at the Chesterfield site, just off Piccadilly Road near Chesterfield Rail Station.

The event is set to take place on Saturday, 16th and Sunday, 17th April, with cash raised from the entry fee to be donated to a local charity working with dogs and animals.

Kids under 16 will be able to enter the event free, witu all people attending to be given a raffle ticket to be entered into a prize draw. 20 independent retailers will also be in attendance to showcase their products and services across the two day event.

A fun dog show will be judged by local judge Sue Smith (a cruft’s judge), she herself breeds British champion Pomeranians.

A viewing tour of rose cottage will also be provided on the day around lunch time to showcase the services provided by the business. Other features for people to enjoy at the fayre will include a photo station, kids activities, snacks and refreshments, and homemade goodies for the dogs.

Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

rose cottage dogy day care

 

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Generation Next Awards 2022 launched to celebrate young professionals and entrepreneurs

From apprentices taking their first steps on the career ladder to the future leaders of the region, the very best of young business talent across the East Midlands will be celebrated at the Generation Next Awards.

The second-ever awards are the showpiece programme of the Generation Next network for young professionals and entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35, which is run by East Midlands Chamber in conjunction with headline partner the University of Derby.

It features 10 categories, ranging from a Breakthrough Award and Customer Service Award through to marking Excellence in Innovation and Technology and the Generation Next Future Leader.

New prizes for this year recognise outstanding contributions in diversity and inclusion, arts and culture, corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Winners will be crowned at an awards ceremony with a twist – featuring street food, cocktails and live music – held at Bustler Market, in Derby, on 14 July.

Lucy Robinson, East Midlands Chamber’s director of resources and Generation Next lead, said: “The Generation Next Awards are a celebration of the amazing young talent within the East Midlands, and our diverse programme recognises the rising stars of business who make outstanding contributions to their communities.

“We want to encourage young professionals, apprentices and entrepreneurs from across the region to tell their story and celebrate their successes. There is an award to suit everyone at each stage of their career.”

Project D and ExpHand Prosthetics among Generation Next Awards alumni

Generation Next was launched in 2020 as a new group for 18 to 35-year-olds to meet likeminded people via networking events held at locations such as Leicester cocktail bar Manhattan34, Nottingham arcade game bar Penny Lane and Peak District walks, as well as attend educational workshops on themes such as marketing, personal finance and inclusion.

A mentoring scheme was launched this year to connect Generation Next members – who join on an individual basis – with senior businesspeople within the wider East Midlands Chamber network.

The inaugural Generation Next Awards took place virtually last year and recognised rising stars such as Kate Walker, who makes affordable and adjustable 3D-printed prosthetic arms as founder of Loughborough-based start-up ExpHand Prosthetics, and Derby’s rapidly-growing doughnut delivery company Project D.
Entries are now open for this year’s awards until Tuesday 3 May, and can be submitted either by individuals within the 18 to 35 age bracket or on their behalf by a colleague or line manager.

Applications can be downloaded at generationnextemc.co.uk/awards and must be emailed to the Generation Next team at gennext@emc-dnl.co.uk.
Early-bird tickets are available for the awards ceremony on 14 July at https://bit.ly/GenNextAwards.

Generation Next Awards 2022 categories

• Headline – Generation Next Future Leader Award, sponsored by the University of Derby
• Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Loughborough College
• Breakthrough Award, sponsored by Nottingham University Business School
• Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Fraser Stretton
• Excellence in Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by Hardy Signs
• The Volunteer Award, sponsored by RSM
• Sustainability Award, sponsored by MHA MacIntyre Hudson
• Customer Service Award
• Diversity and Inclusion Award
• The Creative Award

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D2N2 LEP opens recruitment for new board members

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has begun recruitment for new board members who can bring a depth of experience and make an active contribution to support the economic growth of our region.

The D2N2 LEP provides a business-led approach to economic development for an area with over 75,000 businesses and 900,000 jobs supporting a total population of over 2.3 million people.

The LEP is looking for a number of private sector members who can help to shape the economic strategy across Derby Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.  Candidates should be an experienced senior leader or business owner with an outstanding ability to communicate, lead and influence

The D2N2 LEP is also seeking to appoint a new representative from the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise Sectors (VCSE). The role will ensure that the views of civil society continue to be reflected within the LEP’s decision making.

Board members represent the LEP’s interests to a range of partners and stakeholders in the private and public sectors, and work collaboratively with them to deliver a shared agenda for our economy.

Elizabeth Fagan CBE, Chair of the D2N2 LEP, said: “We’re keen to hear from leaders with energy, creativity, and passion to help us shape and deliver our ambitions for the region.

“This is an important time for our region as we drive forward work to level up our region to develop a more prosperous and lower carbon economy, which creates skilled and higher value jobs for our future generations.

“Our board members come from different backgrounds across our region and offer a breadth of sector knowledge and expertise. I am keen to hear from people that can build on this diversity.”

Applications are welcome from across the LEP area and from all sectors of the economy to reflect our diverse business community.

The deadline for applications is noon on Friday 8 April 2022.

For more information on the roles, interested parties should visit the vacancies section on the D2N2 website.

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Chesterfield residents and businesses asked to help find potential new development sites

Residents, businesses, landowners, and developers are being asked to suggest sites for development or land use changes in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Borough Council is issuing its Call for Sites as part of the Local Plan review process. The aim is to identify sites that have the potential to be developed for housing or employment but also to help find sites that could be used to enhance local biodiversity or other uses.

The Call for Sites is being run through an innovative online consultation platform that will be open for the public for six weeks to submit their suggestions from Monday 21 March until midnight on Monday 2 May 2022.

Councillor Dean Collins, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The Local Plan is important because it is the starting point for assessing the merits of individual planning applications. The Call for Sites helps ensure that we identify sites for development that meet local need and this must be done as part of the five-year review of our Local Plan.

“We are trialling a new digital platform that we hope will make it easier for everyone to help identify sites with potential across the borough. The online tool uses a map of Chesterfield and when you highlight a site it shows the current Local Plan map and you can then make a simple suggestion for how that land should be used in future.

“I would encourage everyone to give us their views and make sure they do it within the six weeks as we cannot accept any late submissions.”

As well as suggesting sites for housing or business developments, there is also the opportunity to highlight sites for other uses. This can include areas the council can invest in to enhance biodiversity through tree planting and habitat management but also sites that would be suitable for Gypsy and Traveller Sites, community facilities and public open spaces.

The Local Plan must be reviewed at least once every five years and the Call for Sites is a key element of this review.

There are two methods available for submitting a site for consideration, the first is a site suggestion form where the availability or ownership of a site is not known, and the second option is via a detailed site submission form aimed at landowners or their agents.

Sites that are suggested will be assessed later in the year as part of a Land Availability Assessment which in turn will be used to help review the current Local Plan.

Where a site has been suggested by a member of the public, but the availability of a site is not known the council may contact the landowner to find out if it is available or not. Sites which ultimately are not available will not be able to progress as part of the Local Plan review.

A site being put forward to the council and then later considered in the Land Availability Assessment does not mean it will necessarily be considered suitable for development or a particular land use, nor included in a local plan or granted planning permission.

The council are working with the consultants Urban Intelligence who have developed the platform and are experts in using technology and data science to assess property and support the planning process.

Funding for the platform was provided by the Government through the PropTech Engagement Fund with the aim of increasing local engagement with the planning process and giving people a greater say over their local area.

Find out more about the Call for Sites and submit suggestions by visiting www.chesterfield.gov.uk/call-for-sites-2022

If you need more information or assistance with the platform, please contact the Strategic Planning and Key Sites team by calling 01246 345002 or emailing local.plan@chesterfield.gov.uk.

anzacs chesterfield

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Chesterfield’s SDE Group helps fellow local business move to new Markham Vale warehouse

Chesterfield’s SDE Group has helped to facilitate the move of a fellow business in the town to new premises at Markham Vale.

The company successfully refurbished the new home of BeaconMedaes in a ten week project that was delivered from ‘Concept to Completion’ across all areas of the SDE Group.

SDE Group were required to alter the racking layout from a VNA (very narrow aisle) to a standard aisle due to the change of their fork lift trucks, whilst also removing various areas of racking to clear space for a ‘goods in’ area. Timber decks were supplied and installed on beam levels as per the client’s requirements.

The company’s Installation Engineers relocated the multi-tier shelving system from BeaconMedaes’  previous site in Staveley to the new warehouse space. SDE Electrical were involved to alter the lighting to suit the new racking layout.

Interior joiners created an office space from the original store room by installing interior stud walls and were decorated to a high standard to create a brighter inviting working environment.

While the 3D Design team assisted in the design and layout of the new canteen and kitchen areas to create a comfortable breakout space for all workforces within the building.

A high level of Project Management was required to ensure all works were completed efficiently and on time to the highest standards. SDE Group provided numerous consultations with various people to ensure the project met all regulations in order for sign off.

Project Consultant, Luke Hemstock said: “On a whole I thought that the project ran very smoothly, this was down to good communication from the client and ourselves and if there was any issues that did arise, we made sure that these were sorted immediately to avoid any delays or financial implications.

“We were extremely pleased from the industrial racking move to the dilapidations and interior alterations, everything worked very well and met the clients’ requirements and timescales, the feedback from the client has been very positive. On larger projects such as this one, there are always snagging works making sure everything meets the client’s expectation, therefore we have made sure we have been there to support the client throughout the whole process, from concept to completion.

Luke also said it feels great to be collaborating with fellow businesses in Chesterfield: “In our line of work, we work with a wide variety of clients, from national PLC’s to small independent businesses. That is all well and good, but the most satisfying part for me personally is helping local businesses, a lot of which you know on a much more personal level due to the mutual connections with them. The journey you go on with them and the growth you can contribute to first hand is fantastic.”

Take a tour of the newly-refurbished warehouse by viewing a video on the SDE Group website.

SDE Group supports 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, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Custom Solar begins innovative project at Portsmouth International Port

Chesterfield-based Custom Solar has announced its latest major sustainable project at Portsmouth International Port.

The team has started to develop the installation of a ground-breaking solar and battery system at the port, managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team. The project began in February 2022 and will incorporate roof-mounted solar panels across a number of buildings, a large battery, and solar canopies.

When completed, the power produced by the 2,660 solar panels will contribute around 35% of the site’s power; a significant step in Portsmouth International Port’s ambition to be the UK’s first net-zero carbon port. The installation is due to complete in summer 2022.

Portsmouth is the first UK port to have solar canopies and a mega-watt sized battery installed as part of a renewable installation. When completed, the 1.2 megawatt peak system, will be the largest solar and battery installation to date across the council’s portfolio of renewable generation.

As well as generating carbon-free power, the solar canopies will provide shade for cars waiting to board ferries; allowing them to stay cooler for longer, without having to run their engines.

Image by Portsmouth International Port

The battery, with a capacity of 1.5 megawatt hours (enough to run a typical home for 4 months), will capture green power that would otherwise be exported from the site and using it in the port’s buildings when it is needed.

The new battery will work in tandem with an upcoming battery storage pilot announced in the summer; supplying balancing services to the national grid and storing power during lower pricing periods. When complete, it is estimated that 98% of the electricity consumed by the port will come from the solar and battery, combined.

Gary Sucharewycz, CEO of Custom Solar, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Portsmouth City Council in the delivery of this special project, utilising our experience in developing and delivering solar at another established British port.

“We have already broken ground and we are excited to showcase a solar rooftop, solar carport canopy, and battery storage system. We are proud to have been selected to work towards the environmental ambitions of Portsmouth International Port and look forward to delivering another major on-site project in a busy operational environment that will aid in carbon reduction goals.”

Jerry Clarke, pilot and senior project manager at Portsmouth International Port added: “The port is owned by the people of Portsmouth, so we have a duty to control and reduce the impact of port operations on the local environment.

“We’re delighted to work with the wider council and Custom Solar on this exciting project. It will significantly expand our solar generating capability, and is part of an integrated approach that will help us to offer shore power for smaller ships, without having to take extra power from the local electricity grid.

“Combined with other sustainability initiatives, it will help us achieve our ambition of becoming one of the UK’s first zero emission ports by 2050”.

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

From L-R: Gary Sucharewycz, CEO of Custom Solar: Tony Denney, Site Manager for Custom Solar; Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Green Recovery, Cllr Kimberly Barrett; Owen Hughes, Project Manager at Portsmouth City Council’s Energy Services Team; Andrew Waggott; Energy Services Team Manager at Portsmouth City Council.

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Recruitment Event returns to Chesterfield Market

People searching for work in Northern Derbyshire 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 30 March between 10am and 12pm in Chesterfield market place. Following on from two previous successful events held last year, Chesterfield Borough Council and DWP Jobcentre Plus are partnering with Bolsover District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council, to ensure it provides the right opportunities for local job seekers.

Previous events, held in September and November last year, have led to around 100 job offers with almost 80 people starting a new job thanks to the recruitment events.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The events last year showed that job seekers want to engage directly with businesses to find out more about the opportunities available to them. We are pleased to be able to host events such as this, that can help individuals find out more about the jobs available locally. It’s important that we continue to help promote the many opportunities in the area to local people and working with our partners will help ensure we can bring more people and more employers together.

“If you’re looking for work, then this event is here for you. You will be able to find out more about current opportunities and may even find your next job on the day.”

Paul Munday, Employer Adviser at DWP Jobcentre Plus Derbyshire, said: “After the success of the last two recruitment events held in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council, we are very excited to be running a third on Wednesday 30 March with further support from North East Derbyshire District Council and Bolsover District Council. This event will be a great opportunity to support the DWP’s Way to Work Programme and give north Derbyshire Residents the opportunity to speak to local employers and find sustainable employment.”

Councillor Jeremy Kenyon, North East Derbyshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said, “We have hosted some fantastic online job fairs previously with our partners, helping to secure employment for our local communities.

“This next jobs fair is a great way for local businesses to take part and share their vacancies with us so we can help residents with employment opportunities and progress their career to the next level”.

Cabinet member for economic growth at Bolsover District Council Councillor Liz Smyth said: “It is so important to provide opportunities for people to engage directly with employers and learn more about what opportunities are out there. Holding this jobs fair in person means job seekers can meet recruiters and make those vitally important connections which could lead to employment.”

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.

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.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Print Digital Media takes on new apprentice with help of local skills provider GBS Apprenticeships

Print Digital Media has added to it’s growing team by taking on a new apprentice after working with local skills and careers company, GBS Apprenticeships.

Jasmine Mowbray has been working at Print Digital Media for just over a month, and has already been involved in a number of marketing projects at the firm.

Jasmine explained how her first month working with the business has already given her a range of new skills and experience: “I have had a fantastic time in my first month at Print Digital Media. Working for a small company meant I got to meet everyone involved in the business really quickly and all my co-workers are supportive and always happy to help to help, if I’m ever in need of guidance.

“Everything happens in one building, so I have been able to see the full cycle of the service we provide, from design to proof and print. This has enabled me to become more knowledgeable about the business, which has helped a lot in my projects.

“Since starting my role, I have worked on a range of different marketing projects. I’m always doing something different everyday meaning that it never gets repetitive, and it also means I’m able to test and improve my abilities, resulting in a wider set of skills.

“I wish I had chosen this path sooner! It’s a really dynamic way of learning as you are gaining valuable industry experience whilst also obtaining a degree. If you are someone who’s looking to widen their knowledge but struggles with learning in a classroom and long hours of studying, an apprenticeship would be a better option for you!”

Richard Musgrove, Managing Director of Print Digital Media commented on how much of a benefit Jasmine has already had on the company: “It’s been a really difficult two years for many businesses, especially the hospitality sector but projects that have been on hold are now coming through. The investments we made last summer in new printing presses increased our capacity, dramatically speeding up our turnaround times, which has improved our service offering and enabled us to take on additional works.

“Young people are often criticised, a lot of which is unjust in my experience as the majority just need a platform to learn, develop and grow. At PDM we are very proud to be supporting the younger generation that are starting out, whether it’s work experience or apprenticeship programmes and if we can provide development opportunities, to help them personally or professionally that sets them on the right path, then brilliant. We might just be mentoring the next Ben Francis.”

Richard also praise GBS for enabling his company to find the right person for his business: “The whole GBS team were very supportive and the process was incredibly easy. GBS took a detailed brief of our requirements and really tried to understand our culture and how we work to find the best fit, ensuring the candidates would also fit in.

“What really struck me was how considerate and caring GBS were towards the candidates, as it’s a daunting experience coming out of sixth form or college into an interview process, but they were great.

Coral Guard, Marketing Manager at GBS Apprenticeships said: “Everything we do is for the benefit of both learner and employer. We want our employers to bring bright young minds into the business and give them the opportunity to thrive. Apprentices are able to gain brand new skills, while a business can help build on skill gaps and strengthen their business further. Seeing businesses grow and develop further through employing an apprentice is why we do what we do.

“We are always at hand to help a business get started with employing an apprentice. Just pick up the phone or drop us an email and we can have a chat about what your business needs. We help by evaluating what type of apprenticeship will benefit the business, handle all the advertisement and the recruitment process. There are many benefits of hiring an apprentice including:

  • Bridging the skills gap, particularly those within technology as this helps to move a business forward.
  • Having a fresh perspective. Apprentices may not have work experience but they can offer a fresh perspective and new ideas that can help a business grow. Young people tend to have strong technology skills and they can use this knowledge to build a competitive advantage.
  • The cost of an apprenticeship pays for itself. Within a few years, or even sooner, apprentices can improve a company’s bottom line by improving effectivity and boosting productivity.
  • It’s a cost effective way to train staff or hire new staff.
  • GBS are there to support you and your apprentice from start to finish. We want both apprentice and employer to work together to help build one another’s skills and business.

“Overall, apprenticeships are a great way to provide life changing opportunities to young people and a cost effective way for local businesses to develop their workforce and bridge those skill gaps.”

Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/

Print Digital Media and GBS Apprenticeships 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 Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

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