Georgie Barrat, leading technology journalist, Gadget Show presenter and broadcaster, encouraged local school and college students to get the knowledge they need to get into an industry where there are more jobs than people with the right digital skills yesterday. She shared her inside knowledge of the industry as part of the Sparks Series of lectures at Chesterfield College.

With the technology industry growing faster than the UK economy, Georgie gave a fascinating insight into the wide range of exciting developments she has tested from artificial intelligence to augmented reality, and much more besides.  She explained what opportunities these new technologies open up for young people about to enter the job market.

Georgie demonstrated how she carved a career in tech journalism and what it is like to work for some of the key tech employers. She also gave the audience some top tips about how to develop a bright future in the industry.

There were interesting questions from the audience about how new technological inventions would affect us as consumers and as a human race, as well as questions about what it is really like to work in technology and media.

Georgie’s final words of inspiration for the audience were:

“Digital literacy is what everyone is after. If you can code; if you are a software developer, the world is your oyster. If you go into any company, they want these skills.”

“Go out there. Dream big and go and shape the world. The world needs people like you to shape it.”

Employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations are being invited to book their place at this year’s Derbyshire Skills Festival.

The event is organised by Derbyshire County Council and supported by Derby City Council. It is aimed at students aged 13 to 19, particularly those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school.

Derbyshire Skills Festival is the largest careers event for young people in Derbyshire and this year it is being held at:

• Proact Stadium, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 8NZ on Wednesday 18 September 2019
• Derby Arena, Royal Way, Derby, DE24 8JB on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 September 2019

All three events will run from 1.30pm to 7.30pm (last admission 6.45pm).

There will also be sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who are not in education, employment or training are welcome to attend.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People Councillor Alex Dale said:

“Choosing a career is one of the biggest decisions that our young people will make and we’re pleased the Derbyshire Skills Festival can support them in this process.

“Last year more than 10,000 young people attended the festival making it a great event for organisations to showcase what opportunities they have to a huge audience.

“Thank you to the organisations that have already signed up to secure their place and we look forward to welcoming more.”The festival is an opportunity for young people leaving school or college or looking for a job with training to get all the information and guidance they need under one roof.

Visitors to the event will also be able to take part in have-a-go sessions to test their skills and give them an idea of what different careers might be like.

Organisations interested in having a stand at one or both of the venues can email: skillsfestival@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 536545 (office hours only).

A pioneering project to equip autistic individuals and women who want to get back into work with digital skills they need to find a job has been launched, funded by the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s Digital Innovation Fund.

The D2N2 Skills Academy offers a series of free, four-day training programmes to participants across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, running during June, July, September and October 2019.

A similar digital project – targeted at different audiences – will also shortly be available to individuals across the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

Led by Nottingham City Council, a range of local organisations are joining forces to deliver the programmes, including Autism East Midlands, the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), the University of Derby, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham.

Its aim is to encourage under-represented groups across the D2N2 area to get the skills they need for a career in the digital sector.

It has been set up exclusively to help autistic individuals and women (aged 18 and over), particularly those returning to work after a period of absence, out of work or looking for another job.

Those taking part can choose from one of five different training themes, each aimed at helping them to become more digitally savvy to boost their career prospects.

Each subject area comprises four free training sessions, spread over a four-week period, designed to teach the skills required to become work-ready for a job in the digital sector. Each course set is delivered by experienced, industry-leading experts. Digital Graduate buddies, provided by the universities, will provide practical support, guidance and mentoring at each of the training sessions.

The subjects available are web development, digital marketing, data visualisation and cyber security, along with digital essentials, which covers basic digital skills including getting the most out of a range of devices, applications and the cloud.

At the end of each course, those attending will receive a certificate of attainment, along with a comprehensive workbook that can be used as a reference guide for the future.

The programme of support will continue for some attendees, with a selection chosen to complete work placements in local businesses where they can use their newly learned skills. And it is hoped that through the programme support and the engagement with the business community that a handful of attendees will secure long term work as a result.

Rachel Quinn, Skills lead at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Digital Skills are becoming an essential part of our workforce with over 80% of advertised vacancies having a digital element.

“By working collaboratively with our partners and supporting people with barriers to work, to digitally upskill, we are benefiting both our economy and a more inclusive local economy.”

Mathew Orford, Director of Adult Services at Autism East Midlands, said: “It is fantastic that this project recognises that autistic individuals are underrepresented in the workforce and often possess the ability and potential to thrive in this sector.

“Many autistic individuals struggle in mainstream education settings and may, therefore, not achieve the qualifications required in order to secure employment in the digital sector, despite having the aptitude and desire to do so. Through this project we hope to play a part in helping these individuals build their confidence to fulfil their dreams and make an ongoing impact on society.”

Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive at the Chamber, said: “The Chamber’s stated aim is to enhance East Midlands businesses and communities, so we are delighted to be involved with this cutting-edge project.

“The digital agenda is evolving all the time, so equipping autistic individuals and women who have been out of employment for a long time with the skills they need to forge a new career in this fast-growing sector is key.”

Further details about the D2N2 Digital Skills Academy can be found at www.emc-dnl.co.uk/digitalacademy.

Three Year 13 school leavers are being given the chance to gain a debt-free university degree by Chesterfield-based Blachford UK.

The company, which is part of the global Blachford Group, is looking to recruit its senior managers and board directors of the future through its graduate apprenticeship programme. As well as a providing a fully funded degree, the successful applicants will also be paid a salary throughout their apprenticeship.

Based in Holmewood, the UK arm of the company is a leading European manufacturer of acoustic and thermal insulation components.

As part of the company’s succession planning programme, it wants to attract school leavers who have recently completed their A Levels and who have a passion for maths and chemistry and who want to follow careers in design engineering, chemistry and process engineering.

Interested students should have a strong track record in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.

Successful applicants will embark on a degree apprenticeship with Blachford UK.

To raise awareness of the degree apprenticeship opportunities, the company is holding a recruitment open day for people interested in applying for the positions. The open day will take place at the company’s premises on Thursday 27 June from 11.00am – 2.00pm.

The day will involve a tour of the company – both the factory floor and behind the scenes, where you will get to meet employees, ask questions and see for themselves the variety of permanent job roles available and routes for progression within Blachford. There will also be some activities on the day for students to display their problem solving, communication and maths skills.

Jason Lippitt, Managing Director of Blachford UK explained: “Manufacturing is an exciting industry and Blachford is no exception. I am a chemist myself and have had an amazing career with Blachford. I have travelled the world and been part of teams that have created ground-breaking products. I now want to give that opportunity to three young people.”

Launched by the government in 2015 and studied over the course of one to six years, degree apprenticeships are designed to propel students into the world of work and fill high-level skills gaps by tailoring learning to specific business needs.

A degree apprenticeship combines full-time paid work and part-time university study to offer candidates the opportunity to gain a full Bachelors or Masters degree while undertaking practical, on-the-job training. Degree apprenticeships are created by partnerships between employers and universities or colleges.

He added: “Apprenticeships are very important to the future of Blachford as they give us the opportunity to mould and develop individuals to the business helping it progress and grow. We invest in all our apprentices, so it’s important to us that they enjoy long careers with us. My hope is that the young people who join us as degree apprentices will ultimately lead and shape the direction of the company.”

Blachford UK have also agreed to take part in the Made in Chesterfield project which looks to promote opportunities in STEM careers across North Derbyshire.  The Initiative is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership.

To attend the Blachford UK Degree Apprentice Recruitment Open Day, please register your interest on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/blachford-uk-degree-apprentice-recruitment-open-day-tickets-61787937384 or by emailing Joanne Kisgory at Joanne.Kisgory@blachforduk.com.

Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities in Chesterfield

Find out how your business or school can take part in Made in Chesterfield