Apprentice Town

We need the next generation to “Choose Hospitality”

Chris Mapp is the Managing Director of the Tickled Trout in Barlow.  Chris was named Food Hero at the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards 2019.

He is passionate about the industry and Chesterfield and is keen to develop young people beginning their careers to understand how food works – taste over presentation using locally-sourced food.

In this guest blog he shares his views on the challenges facing his sector post lockdown and is calling on the next generation to ‘Choose Hospitality’ as a career path.

Chesterfield Food Hero - Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards 2019

This isn’t about me, it’s not about who I am, where I have worked and who with, and it is certainly not a moan or rant. It is about my genuine concern about my family-owned pub in a beautiful Derbyshire village.  The hospitality industry is struggling to recover post covid and in my opinion it is facing a more uncertain future than ever before.

Eighteen months ago tears were shed by my team on the last night we were open as we entered the first lockdown and the reality of shutting my business hit home hard.  We pulled together as a team, prepared nearly 4000 ready meals for key workers in the NHS and kept team morale up through zoom wine tastings and funny what’s app group messages. It was tough from a business perspective as there was fear and uncertainty to how we could manage financially but with the furlough scheme, grants and the ability to do takeaways we survived…  Relief!

I counted down the days to reopen, we were back as a work family again and we welcomed friends back through our doors. It was not business as usual though and I realised the challenges in running my business were growing.  Staff recruitment and retention is harder than ever, and costs are escalating.

In my view there is no going back to previous working terms and conditions; staff have moved away from our industry during lockdown or are not prepared to come back working the long hours for the low pay we have put up for many years.  As the saying goes, I have been there and got the T shirt, I have worked the 90 – 100 hours plus weeks with early starts and late finishes, missing family and social events.  I believe the pandemic has caused reflection and a change in culture has begun.  This is right, this is something I want to support.  It is time for change. I want to champion a better work life balance for my team but the problem is, how do we get this to work in practice?

I am aware in an attempt to retain and attract staff some restaurants have restricted opening hours but this isn’t really appropriate for a village pub.  My plan is to run a 4 day rota for staff (48 hours over 4 days) plus overtime, this is to survive both in short term and hopefully long term.  For those outside hospitality this is the norm but for chefs and front of house managers it is far from it.  I have adverts open and hoping to increase my team significantly to get this to work but I am reworking my budgets with anxiety.  This is where I and others in similar circumstances need help.  A cultural shift won’t be possible without a degree of solidarity and commitment from key players in our industry.  Raising awareness will be key to why these changes need to be put in place – yes a pint may cost a few pence more for your local to survive.  Not because bigger profits are being made but because staff are being paid fairly for the work they do.

There is a huge domino effect rippling through the UK with restaurants, cafes and pubs not being able to operate fully, this cascades to the supplier and their workforce which in turn affects the farmers and their staff. Don’t also forget that farmers produce barley for brewing, there was so much wasted last year. Hospitality is an enormous business alone but when you look deeper, a huge amount of businesses rely on hospitality to function at 100%. It’s quite frightening.

We really need people to join our beloved industry, it can be an excellent career, we need the next generation to “Choose Hospitality”. I am a patron of a large national charity that is working hard to generate interest at school and youth level and amongst others charities, we need to get more like minded owners and chefs and front of house management involved.

The Manchester Evening News recently highlighted that there is currently 3000 jobs available in hospitality in Manchester having doubled in a matter of weeks and this is before the big football clubs reopen their hospitality.

I can envisage that soon there will only be old men and women in kitchens….

Joe Biden recently said that a job in hospitality is your first best job, as the States have similar issues simmering, we concur.

I am hugely proud of the food we serve in the UK and at my pub and the customer service we give and I welcome a collective conversation to how we can all survive in the future.

 

Posted in Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Made in Chesterfield

New Free ‘Skills Bootcamps’ announced

Following a successful pilot, the D2N2 LEP has been announced as one of several organisations across the country to deliver the expanded national Skills Bootcamp programme.

Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local employer.

The programme has been developed by the Government as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs, in partnership with employers, providers and local authorities, to help people develop the skills that are in demand and get a better job.

As the D2N2 LEP steps up its drive to help employers and the local economy the new courses will be helping even more adults gain digital skills. Digital skills are not just for digital jobs. These skills are becoming increasingly essential across a vast array of jobs and sectors in the modern workforce – 82% of all job openings online request digital skills.

Working with our delivery partners and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the new courses will include:

  • Coding and software development
  • IT, Networking and Infrastructure
  • Cyber and system security
  • Digital Marketing

Speaking about the new announcement, Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“Training in the skills of the future and the skills we know our employers need is critical to our region’s economic recovery and our long-term growth.

“The Skills Bootcamps will complement the many local schemes that are already up and running across our region. I would urge prospective learners and employers to see what training and course options are available.”

The free courses are open to anyone aged 19 or over and are employed, self-employed, have recently become unemployed or are returning to work after a break.

Employers and individuals can find out more at: gov.uk/free-courses-for-jobs

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Home

Chesterfield Escape Rooms helps unemployed young people get on career ladder

Robbing banks and investigating paranormal activity is the name of the game at a new Chesterfield venue – which has used the Kickstart scheme to bolster its team.

Chesterfield Escape Rooms, which opened in May, has used the Government-backed employment programme – aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit or at risk of long-term unemployment – to hire six games masters among its 16 employees.

It applied for funding to create the initial six-month placements via East Midlands Chamber, which is a Kickstart gateway organisation and has worked with Chesterfield Borough Council to engage businesses about the scheme’s benefits.

Nick Hogan, who owns the escape room business, said he had initially considered employing people on zero-hour contracts due to the unknown nature of bookings, but felt this wouldn’t help to build a workforce with a “sense of belonging”.

“When Kickstart came along, it allowed me to recruit and be selective in the recruitment process,” he said.

“In working with these six people, it’s reminded me that everyone deserves a chance. The younger generation is tomorrow’s workforce and unless we give the opportunities to succeed, our businesses won’t survive.”

How Kickstart scheme has offered opportunities to young people in Chesterfield

One of the Kickstart employees is James Bryan, from Chesterfield, whose role involves customer service, sales and running the games, which require players to solve a series of puzzles within a set time to unlock the room.

The 21-year-old, who was previously a freelance actor, writer and radio editor, said: “I can already feel I’ve gained more confidence in speaking to customers and leading games.

“The scheme is wonderful for our generation in these strange times, and it’s most definitely helped me.”

Meanwhile, Laura Maskrey, from Matlock, joined Brampton-based digital marketing agency Brighter Directions as a social media executive.

The 25-year-old English language and linguistics graduate had previously been placed on furlough and then made redundant from her job in marketing and communications before she began applying for Kickstart vacancies.

She said: “It has taken me longer than expected to settle due to not having a solid routine and job role for nearly a year, but I love the role and my team has been so welcoming and patient with me.

“My placement will have a positive impact on my job prospects as I have learned a huge amount in short space of time, which has improved my confidence and mental health dramatically from being unemployed.”

Kickstart job placements still available in Derbyshire and wider East Midlands

The Department for Work and Pensions funds 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, national insurance and pensions contributions for 25 hours a week over a six-month period.

Employers can choose to top up this wage and are also eligible for a £1,500 Government grant for training people on a Kickstart placement.

Once applications are accepted, young people are referred into the roles via a Jobcentre Plus work coach.

East Midlands Chamber has secured more than 3,000 placements among almost 800 businesses located in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and other locations. Just under 900 of these roles have been filled, with 2,000 vacancies live.

Deputy chief executive and Kickstart lead Diane Beresford said: “We’re so proud to have played a key role in giving young people a chance they may not otherwise have had. After spending many months working with employers on their applications, it’s incredibly exciting and rewarding to see the fruits of our labour as people now start their jobs.

“Businesses taking part are playing a vital role in their communities by supporting and preparing our future workforce, while they also benefit from a relatively risk-free opportunity to trial new roles that could lead to future growth.”

East Midlands Chamber has worked with local authorities including Chesterfield Borough Council to hold information sessions for businesses in the area.

It’s just the latest collaboration between the organisations after the Chamber also delivered council-funded projects including the Chesterfield Digital High Street programme and the Business Crime Reduction Partnership – an existing scheme run alongside the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner that has now been made available free of charge for up to 2,000 Chesterfield businesses.

The council’s deputy leader Councillor Amanda Serjeant added: “Kickstart offers a fantastic opportunity for young people to increase their experience in the workplace, which will help them develop new skills and build a career.

“I’d encourage any young person currently looking for work to apply for these opportunities because you never know where it may lead.”

The deadline for employers to apply for the Kickstart scheme is fast approaching as the roles must begin by 31 December this year, with funding provided until 30 June 2022.

Businesses interested in applying for a Kickstart scheme grant should contact Pieter Eksteen on pieter.eksteen@emc-dnl.co.uk or 0333 320 0333 (Ext 2241).

The latest Kickstart vacancies can be viewed at www.emc-dnl.co.uk/kickstart-vacancies.

Chesterfield Escape Rooms

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

Free online event set to help school leavers access apprenticeships and training opportunities in Derbyshire

A brand new virtual event is being held for young people in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire who find themselves at a careers crossroads since leaving school.

The free ‘Apprentice Town – Find Your Apprenticeship’ event is taking place on Tuesday 10 August – A Level results day and just two days before GCSE results day on Thursday 12August. It is designed to showcase apprenticeship vacancies and support available to both Year 11 and 13 school leavers.

Held online to ensure it is as accessible to as many young people as possible Destination Chesterfield is working with Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver the event as part of the Apprentice Town initiative.

To ensure the event is easily accessible, pre-registration is not necessary; it’s just a case a clicking a MS Teams or Zoom weblink on the day at www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/apprentice-town-find-your-apprenticeship

The event brings together seven apprenticeship and training providers from across North Derbyshire, including Apprentice Team, Buxton and Leek College, Chesterfield College Group, DBC Training, GBS Apprenticeships, Juniper Training and University of Derby.

During the day-long online event, which begins at 10am, each provider will deliver a 45-minute session on the wide variety of opportunities and training available. Available opportunities range from Kickstart placements and college courses as well as apprenticeship vacancies currently available in Chesterfield, across a range of occupations including Beauty Therapy and the police force as well as many more.

Delighted to be involved in the initiative Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of The Chesterfield College Group said: “This event provides a fantastic opportunity to explore the benefits of apprenticeships and the wide range of opportunities available in the local area. We are delighted to be able to share the range of exciting vacancies on offer and highlight the support we can offer to people looking to develop skills whilst earning a wage and developing a career.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: Apprenticeships are fantastic for both the employer and employee. We’re lucky in Chesterfield that we have a strong network of apprenticeship providers, with lots of experience in ensuring a placement helps the apprentice gain new skills, while also providing support and guidance to the employer.

“There are always lots of varied apprenticeship opportunities available in Chesterfield. This event will promote what’s on offer and support both employers and individuals to access them. As an Apprentice Town we are committed to raising awareness and increasing participation in apprenticeships and we would encourage anyone who is looking for the first step into work – or a change of career direction – to get involved in the event and see what local opportunities are available.”

For a full itinerary of the free ‘Apprentice Town – Find Your Apprenticeship’ event and to access all training providers talks and Q&A sessions visit free www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/apprentice-town-find-your-apprenticeship/

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GBS Apprenticeships expands into new Chesterfield town centre offices

Chesterfield-based training provider GBS Apprenticeships has expanded its operations, by moving into a new premises at Chesterfield’s Markham House.

GBS provides a wide range of training programmes, with courses ranging from one-day tailored solutions to employer-led apprenticeship programmes that support businesses in sustainable growth.

The company was previously situated in Chesterfield’s Market Hall, however the move to Markham House comes after a period of significant growth over the last few years.

Chesterfield MP and Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships & Skills, Toby Perkins was in attendance at the event.

Declaring the new GBS office officially open, he said: “It’s really important that there is a huge investment in the next generation so it is fantastic to have worked with GBS Apprenticeships over the last year or so. I’ve actually got an apprentice from GBS working in my office too.

“I think it really is important that we make sure all businesses know we can invest in the next generation coming through, and that there is funding there to support businesses who want to take an apprentice on.”

Steven Guard, CEO at GBS Apprentices commented: “We now have three really good-sized training rooms and can accommodate a lot more people in the centre. It is really ideal having the job centre nearby and other services around us to make a difference locally providing a quality education to young adults and older apprentices too.

“What we want to do with this centre is make it a resource for Chesterfield. Not only is it a great centre for us to deliver our training, we want it to be a facility for other partnerships and initiatives in Chesterfield to use as a venue to further the initiatives that are going on here.

“We’re aiming to be a digital centre and really start to be able to equip people with those vital digital skills that can get them on those career paths. We want to be that go-to place where people can come. We’ll never stop speaking to people and giving advice to people. We need to have that community of providers to make the best of what we have here in Chesterfield.”

GBS Apprentices support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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

Juniper Training scoops accolade at The Inspire Awards 2021

Juniper Training has added another award to its collection, after the company’s Building Futures Roofing training programme, run jointly with SPV Group won the Most Inspiring Training Programme at The Inspire Awards 2021.

The event, which took place virtually on Thursday 8th July Celebrated Diversity & Inclusion in UK Construction, Engineering & Housing.

The two companies became partners back in 2019 designing a programme to offer young people the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in the roofing industry with progression onto a Level 2 Roofer Apprenticeship and sustained employment with local roofing companies.

The judges praised the programme, saying it was “Truly inspiring, a practical determined approach to overcoming barriers and generating value all round,” and “A great example of collaboration in the industry.”

Samantha Broomhall, Head of Business Development at Juniper Training, said: “Well done to the staff, students, employers and partners who work incredibly hard day in, day out to make this provision a success – ultimately changing the lives of young people.”

The 30 week training programme offers young people a Level 1 certificate in construction, upskilling in maths and English if needed and necessary training such as asbestos awareness and working at height.

They also learn the various disciplines in roofing and sit the CSCS test prior to being taken on as an apprentice with one of the many roofing contractors Juniper is currently working with. These include SPV Group, Rydale Roofing, RS Miller, Dudley MBC, Rio Asphalt, Stoneleigh Services and Central Roofing.

Lisa Jenkins commented: “”We’re really looking forward to expanding our provision of this training activity in Chesterfield and Derbyshire, and we’re currently interested in hearing from any roofing contractors that might be interested in partering with us.”

“If you are a roofing employer and would be interested in partnering with us to offer this opportunity for young people to get on to the roofing ladder, contact lisa.jenkins@junipertraining.co.uk or call 07923 209239.”

Juniper Training supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

 

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Chesterfield Property and Construction Group calls on more professionals to join mentoring programme

The Chesterfield Property and Construction Group has welcomed Chesterfield Borough Council’s drive to increase skills and diversity across the sector.

The Group has now called for more construction and property professionals to join a sector specific mentoring programme in local schools and colleges.

Group members Whittam Cox Architects and construction company Robert Woodhead Ltd are supporting the successful Women in Construction mentoring programme which was established earlier this year by Chesterfield Borough Council and D2N2 North Derbyshire Careers Hub.

Currently there are nine mentors, however it is hoped that more will come forward and help inspire the next generation of construction and property workers.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group brings together leaders from the area’s property and construction sector to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director of Devonshire Property Group who hosted the recent Property and Construction Group meeting: said: “We have identified the improvement of skills and diversity within the Chesterfield construction and property sector as a key focus for the group and Chesterfield over the next 12 months as we work with the town to help it realise its ambitions to become a place to live, work and invest both now and for future generations.”

Speaking at the event, Corinne Hall, a Chartered Architect and team leader at Whittam Cox Architects who is currently mentoring Chesterfield College mature student Heather Watton, said: “Diversity is key in addressing the skills gap and enhancing the quality of our built environment. This is a sector that I love working in and being a mentor to women is helping to revolutionise the way in which females perceive the construction industry.”

Originally trained in hairdressing and beauty as “it just wasn’t the done thing for girls to go into construction”, Heather is now training to become a quantity surveyor and studying a BTEC advanced certificate in Construction and the Built Environment at Chesterfield College. She hopes to become a mentor herself once qualified.

Heather (37), who has always had an interest in construction from watching her father renovate properties, explained: “Having a mentor has really boosted my confidence and empowered my decision making. I actually started to believe that I could make it. Corinne has listened to me and guided me all the way. I didn’t know what a mentor was at first, but now I hope that one day I am also able to become a mentor and be someone who can impart my own experience to someone in need.”

The Women in Construction mentoring programme works to help diminish the misconceptions of gender specific roles within property and construction. A targeted mentoring program has been put in place to highlight the many different roles available within the sector, that may not have been a consideration before, driving forward inclusivity.

It offers school and college students the opportunity to work with female leaders from across a broad range of disciplines in the property and construction sector where women currently make up just 14% of professional roles.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Improving the skills and work readiness of people in Chesterfield is our top priority as it plays such a crucial part in creating a thriving borough now and in the future.

“This programme is a great example of how, by working with our partners, we can strengthen the links between education and business, which will support more school leavers to develop the skills they need to enter the workplace.

“We want to raise aspirations in Chesterfield and show that it is a great place to plan your future and build a successful career. In particular, working with young women in sectors where they are underrepresented is key to ensuring our success and we would welcome more mentors to come forward and support this positive scheme.”

Andrew added: “With more than £1 billion of construction projects taking place across Chesterfield right now, it is important that we address the skills gap immediately. As a group we have acknowledged that more can be done by us to improve diversity in the sector so we are undertaking research to further identify areas where we can make a real difference.”

Chesterfield Property and Construction Group brings together business leaders of the region’s property sector and Chesterfield Borough Council to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

The next Chesterfield and Property Construction Group event will be held on the 22 September 2021 and will focus on sustainability.

For property and construction professionals who wish to find out more about becoming a mentor or would like to get involved with the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group, please email PropertyGroup@chesterfield.co.uk.

Women in Construction Scheme

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Property and Construction

East Midlands Chamber helps create jobs for 400 young people in the region – but urges more to take advantage of vacancies

East Midlands Chamber has helped more than 400 young people in the region to find employment by playing a pivotal role in the Kickstart scheme.

Another 1,200 vacancies are live in the region after the region’s leading business representation group worked with 650 employers to create the six-month work placements. So far, there have been about 150 starters in Derbyshire, 100 in Leicestershire and 170 in Nottinghamshire.

Employers that want to create Kickstart roles – which are aimed at people aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit or at risk of long-term unemployment – often use gateway organisations such as East Midlands Chamber to apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for a grant to cover the costs.

East Midlands Chamber deputy chief executive and Kickstart lead Diane Beresford said: “We know young people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the huge amount of unemployment it has created, so the Kickstart scheme is an important mechanism for helping them to get the skills they need to prepare for the world of work.

“We’re so proud to have played a key role in giving young people a chance they may not otherwise have had. After spending many months working with employers on their applications, it’s incredibly exciting and rewarding to see the fruits of our labour as people now start their jobs.

“Businesses taking part are playing a vital role in their communities by supporting and preparing our future workforce, while they also benefit from a relatively risk-free opportunity to trial new roles that could lead to future growth.”

How does the Kickstart scheme work?

The number of people aged 18 to 24 claiming unemployment-related benefits increased by 263,700 between February 2020 and March 2021 – a 110% rise – according to Government data.

In response, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the £2bn Kickstart scheme as part of his Plan for Jobs to help young people into work and spur Britain’s post-Covid economic revival.

Funding pays for 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, national insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week.

Employers can choose to top up this wage and are also eligible for a £1,500 Government grant for training people on a Kickstart placement.

Once applications are accepted, young people are referred into the roles via a Jobcentre Plus work coach.

The scheme is due to run until 31 December – the date when Kickstart jobs must begin – with funding available until 30 June 2022. However, East Midlands Chamber recommends making applications by the beginning of August.

It began making applications at the beginning of October and has worked with councils in Mansfield, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Melton, as well as East Midlands accountancy firm Duncan & Toplis, to target businesses.

Overall, the Chamber has so far secured 2,770 vacancies – including more than 2,300 in the East Midlands – and dozens of vacancies are going live every week.

Diane added: “There’s still plenty of time for employers to sign up and we continue to work with local authorities to engage with companies about why they should take advantage of the scheme while they can.

“We also want to highlight the Kickstart scheme to young people on Universal Credit who might not be aware of it. There’s a very diverse range of roles available – from digital marketing and e-commerce to sales and admin positions – and they should get in touch with their local Jobcentre Plus work coach.”

Anyone aged 16 to 24 and claiming Universal Credit should speak to their Jobcentre Plus work coach. Find your local Jobcentre Plus branch at find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk.

Businesses interested in applying for a Kickstart scheme grant should contact East Midlands Chamber education and business partnership manager Pieter Eksteen on pieter.eksteen@emc-dnl.co.uk or 0333 320 0333 (Ext 2241).

 

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Britcon welcomes construction students to One Waterside Place site

Chesterfield Waterside, Chesterfield Borough Council and Britcon (UK) Ltd have begun an eight-week activity partnership with Chesterfield College by welcoming its Level 3 Construction Management students on site.

The visit was held at One Waterside Place, the seven-storey Grade A office block currently under construction in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the Chesterfield Waterside development.

As part of the site visit students were given an insight in to the whole build process, focusing on safety, cost, quality and time.

Britcon (UK) is the lead contractor on One Waterside Place. Nick Shepherd, Managing Director of Britcon (UK) Ltd and a former Chesterfield College construction student himself, said: “It was great to engage with a group of enthusiastic individuals and share some of our expertise with them on their journey within the construction industry. We are passionate about giving back to the community and this visit marks the first of an eight-week activity partnership that we have arranged with the college.”

Terry Brickles, Curriculum Operations Manager for Construction at Chesterfield College said: “Our goal is to ensure students leave us well prepared for the world of work and for a positive future. Working with Britcon has helped us to give our students a fantastic opportunity to get a greater understanding of how the skills they have been developing in college fit into a construction project like Chesterfield Waterside.

“It is vital to develop construction students’ first-hand experience, knowledge, understanding and practical experience of life on a building site. Not only does it give them an opportunity to use the practical skills they have learnt in a classroom in a real environment, it develops other skills which help to make them good employees for the industry too.”

Ahead of COVID restrictions easing, last year a camera was installed on the roof of Chesterfield College to record the entire build process of One Waterside Place.  As part of the partnership between the College, Chesterfield Borough Council, Britcon and Chesterfield Waterside, the footage has been shared with students throughout lockdown as part of their virtual learning studies.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Gaining industry experience is vital to helping ensure young people can meet their full potential and setting up the camera so they could do this digitally allows them to gain this experience remotely. It’s fantastic that Britcon and Waterside have made it possible for these students to visit the site. I hope this is the first of many visits because together with being able to access the camera footage, it really helps young people plan their future.”

Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group Plc, the company leading Chesterfield Waterside added: “I’m delighted that restrictions have eased sufficiently to enable us to welcome local schools and college students to site. Virtual learning has been very effective during lockdown but to be able to get onto site and see a project taking shape on the ground can be really inspiring.”The seven-storey office block is the first phase of the Basin Square character area within the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme and is being developed for Chesterfield Borough Council. Last month BHP Accountants in Chesterfield announced that it is to take a floor in the new office block and relocate its office on Saltergate in the town centre to Basin Square.

Construction of One Waterside Place is expected to be completed later this year. As part of the contract with Chesterfield Borough Council, Britcon is utilising local labour and local contractors across the whole build process as well as working closely with the college. This ensures that the construction phase of the project not only helps develop skills it also provides an economic benefit to the local economy which will help support recovery from the pandemic.

Keep up-to-date with the latest developments at Chesterfield Waterside here, or follow the development on Facebook and Twitter.

Chesterfield College and Chesterfield Waterside support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

Hundreds of vacancies up for grabs at the virtual jobs and training fair

Job seekers in Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire are being encouraged to join a virtual jobs fair this month – which could put them on the path to a new career opportunity.

Chesterfield Borough Council is teaming up with North East Derbyshire District Council and Bolsover District Council to give a boost to local residents’ employment prospects as the online jobs and training fair is set to highlight hundreds of opportunities across Derbyshire.

After the huge success of the previous virtual events, which saw over twenty businesses providing more than 200 employment opportunities, this next fair on Wednesday 26 May is aiming to be bigger and better yet, with even more employers attending.

The three local authorities have teamed up together to provide the two-hour online session where vacancies, training opportunities, employment help and advice will be available via social media, using the hashtag #DerbyshireJobsFair.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “Supporting our residents and local businesses is a vital part of our economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic and the jobs fair is the perfect chance for us to continue to help local people who are looking for their next employment opportunity during these challenging times.

“Our past events have been popular with local job seekers and employers, and we’re pleased to be working alongside our partner authorities again to support our local communities.”

Leader of Bolsover District Council, Steve Fritchley said: “This event is the perfect opportunity for us to support people after what has been a trying year for us all. We want to give our local economy a boost and helping people into employment and training is one way we are doing this, as well as undertaking a local Skills Audit and planning for an Institute of Technology (Centre of Excellence).”

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, 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.”

Many employers are already signed up to take part in the event by sharing their vacancies using the hashtag, and all the opportunities will also be shared on the councils’ social media channels.

There will be a wide mix of job opportunities available, from more senior positions through to apprenticeships that are designed to help develop skills and experience. Chesterfield is an Apprentice Town and all three local authorities are committed to supporting young people progress in the world of work, through apprenticeship opportunities.

They will be key to helping ensure economic recovery because not only can they provide young people with new skills, they can also be used to recruit new staff, re-train or upskill existing staff.

The event will be held on 26 May from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm across all council’s social media channels. Businesses wishing to advertise and take part can do so free of charge. Email mark.szadura@ne-derbyshire.gov.uk or call 07973 343383 with your expression of interest.

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Head into healthcare – a Career with Choice

Apprenticeships can be a great way to develop a career, especially in healthcare as they provide the chance to re-skill and the opportunity to earn whilst you learn. They also lead to nationally recognised qualifications and a foot in the door to your chosen career.

Develop a career 

In Chesterfield, Apprentice Providers have strong links with Chesterfield Royal Hospital, which makes developing a career in healthcare even easier.

The University of Derby work with Chesterfield Royal Hospital to offer apprenticeship training in Nursing.

Lauren Slinn, an Associate Practitioner (AP), used her apprenticeship as a steppingstone to become a registered nurse. “Studying and qualifying as an AP during the pandemic has been hard. It was difficult being redeployed to ITU whilst also writing and submitting assignments, but with the help of tutors at Derby University I have managed to complete it. Now I will be furthering my studies and have begun training to become a registered nurse, something that would not have been possible without the foundation degree apprenticeships.”

Charlotte Grayson, an Operating Department Practitioner apprentice at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, chose an apprenticeship as way of learning and earning on the job. “My apprenticeship is really the only way I could further myself at this point in my life, and my learning. Still being employed full time whilst working towards my degree is amazing. It’s been an amazing journey so far learning to scrub in and work alongside the anaesthetists and other mentors.”

Leanne Stevens, Operating Theatre Education Lead at Chesterfield Royal Hospital explains: “The ODP Degree Apprenticeship has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to be able to support and develop our current staff.

Our Bands 2 to 4 staff now have a career development pathway which enables them to both complete a degree funded through the apprenticeship levy and also to gain Band 5 Registered Professional status as an ODP which opens up many more career opportunities for the future.”

Re-skill

Apprenticeships can provide you the opportunity to re-train and secure employment in a completely different sector.

Sally Ann Thornburn, a Level 3 Adult Care Worker apprentice at One to One Support Services, is a great example of this. She previously worked at an insurance company for 30 years in a management role but wanted a new challenge and was keen to develop a career in care.

She said: “Caring for others is such a rewarding vocation; meeting new people and helping them live the lifestyle they want to lead is incredibly satisfying and since I have taken the apprenticeship the opportunities to improve people’s lives has only increased. It’s such a good course, it’s helped me recognise my specialist areas, it’s helped with the more administrative tasks I undertake each day and perhaps most importantly it’s helped me spot potential challenges my clients face quickly and enabled me to resolve them effectively.

I would recommend the Level 3 apprenticeship to anyone who is looking to progress their career in the care sector- it really does enhance your knowledge bank about the services that you are expected to provide your clients on a day to day basis.”

Diverse range of jobs 

In healthcare there are a diverse range of jobs to choose from with lots of apprenticeship pathways to support training in the numerous fields of work.

Annabelle Martin, is a business administration apprentice and junior PA at DHU Health Care completing a Level 4 apprenticeship with Learning Unlimited. She said: “I have been surprised by the variety of tasks that I do as part of my apprenticeship. I actually have a lot more responsibility than I was expecting and I work on some interesting projects.

After I finished my A Levels I was planning to go to university but I decided that it wasn’t the route for me. I didn’t know about university-level apprenticeships at the time but I am really happy that I have the opportunity to study this way and I am looking forward to developing my career with DHU.”

Careers that Care Week

Derbyshire Voluntary Action, The University of Derby and Joined Up Careers have joined forces to deliver Careers that Care Week, an event which aims to showcase careers in health and social care.

Careers that Care takes place from 21st – 25th June; access to videos, online events, and information about starting your future career in care will be available.  Featured careers include radiography, podiatry and disability support, so if you have ever wondered what these roles involve  (or if you have never heard of them and you are curious!) you can watch an interview and see a range of professionals doing their jobs. You can also sign up to Q&A sessions to ask your own questions about the featured careers.

The online hub will also have advice about how to get started in your chosen career – including information about going to university, apprenticeships, volunteering, and current schemes which are available to help you progress. More information and booking for the event can be found on the Careers that Care website.

Overall, if you are looking for a change in career then an apprenticeship in healthcare might be for you and there is more choice than you might first have thought.

More about this sector can be found on the My Future careers platform and further information on apprenticeships can be found on the Apprentice Town website.

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