Business

New Climate Strategy agreed in Chesterfield

A new Climate Change Strategy was agreed at Chesterfield Borough Council’s full council meeting last night (22 February 2023) setting out the council’s strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.

Deputy Leader Councillor Amanda Serjeant proposed the new strategy in front of councillors and members of the public, emphasising the council’s ongoing commitment to tackle the climate emergency.

The updated strategy is building on the success of ambitious work already underway to help the council become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030, and to lay the groundwork for Chesterfield to become a carbon neutral borough by 2050.

In 2019, the council declared a Climate Emergency – and with support from members of the local community created its first Climate Change Action Plan. This plan is now coming to an end, and the council has reduced emissions by around a third (32%) from when it declared the climate emergency in 2019 to the end of the financial year 2021/22.

Chesterfield Borough Council  has achieved a lot in the last four years including a securing £1.5million of funding to improve the energy rating of private rented sector and privately owned homes, making sustainability and climate change a central theme of the latest Local Plan, ensuring all of the council’s energy comes from renewable sources and planting almost 6000 trees.

The new strategy will direct how the council works with industry in the future, ensuring sustainability and climate change a central theme of everything it does.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re working hard to do all we can to ensure we meet our targets for Chesterfield borough. We’re now moving to the next phase of these plans and this updated strategy will underpin our ongoing efforts to achieve our robust targets – ensuring we continue to act now, to safeguard our future.

“Climate Change is the biggest and most important challenge humanity faces globally, as well as in the local area. Carbon reduction is vitally important, and the new Climate Change strategy we have introduced will help towards making significant changes in our progress towards becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030”.

The strategy was developed using an extended evidence base, including a consultation where residents, businesses and community groups were invited to comment on the new strategy late last year. All the feedback received has been considered and helped Chesterfield Borough Council to finalise the document.

For more detail on this you can access the consultation summary report and the strategy document on the council’s website.

You can also find out more about the council’s progress to tackle climate change, and sign up to the Climate Action Now newsletter, on the council’s website.

PV installation Custom Solar

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Chesterfield is open for business as Council approves new growth strategy

An ambitious plan which sets out a long-term vision for economic growth – including a focus on quality jobs for local people, access to higher level skills, and environmental sustainability – has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The new four-year Growth strategy (2023 – 2027) represents a long-term commitment from the council to make Chesterfield a thriving borough by strengthening local skills provision, supporting local businesses and further cementing Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination.

It builds on the success of the last decade which has seen the creation of more than 2000 new jobs and more than 500 new businesses operating in the area, along with significant regeneration and investment across the borough.

The strategy – which was approved at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday 22 February – also has environmental sustainability at its heart, supporting the target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2050.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This strategy is vital to ensuring our borough remains a thriving place to live and work, where everyone has the opportunity to boost their skills, and has access to quality jobs.

“It’s also crucial that we build environmental considerations into our long-term plans, as part of our ongoing commitment to create a sustainable borough for future generations and ensuring we do all we can to reduce carbon emissions.

“The plan builds on our successes over the last ten years including the creation of more than 2000 jobs, and with over 500 new businesses operating in the area.”

The strategy includes five key objectives, which are:

  1. Help businesses to grow and secure new business investment in the borough.
  2. Build a competitive place infrastructure that accelerates employment and housing growth.
  3. Strengthen the distinctive character and vibrancy of our town centres
  4. Develop Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination and as a base for exploring the surrounding area.
  5. Ensure local people have the right skills to support progression in the labour market and benefit from future employment opportunities.

Councillor Gilby added: “Despite the ongoing economic challenges which are facing towns and cities across the country, Chesterfield is not standing still – we are an ambitious borough and this strategy reflects that. It focusses on higher value growth while balancing our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.”

Within each of the strategy’s objectives, several key activities have been developed. For example, to help encourage growth the current Innovation Support Programme will continue to run for the benefit of local businesses.

Projects like the Derbyshire Rail Investment Vehicle (DRIIVe) and Construction Skills Hub – both of which are being funded through the Staveley Town Deal – will help deliver new training facilities to ensure local people can develop the skills to access high quality careers.

Regeneration within Chesterfield town centre, including the Stephenson Memorial Hall renovation and Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project will continue to contribute to strengthening the town’s position as a visitor destination and to meet the needs of residents. These are complemented by the HS2 Station Master Plan, the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside scheme and the major PEAK resort development which promises to be a landmark tourist destination within the borough.

The full strategy is available to read on the council’s website here.

town hall drone shot

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

Chesterfield community heroes recognised at BrightLife Champions Against Loneliness Awards

Several people and organisations from across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire were recently recognised for their work in combatting loneliness and isolation across our town, in a glamourous ceremony at Casa Hotel.

The BrightLife Champions Against Loneliness Awards 2023, held on Friday February 17th, was a huge success as over 130 guests from the local business and charity communities came together to recognise and celebrate seven BrightLife Champions Against Loneliness.

BrightLife is a local charity dedicated to preventing loneliness and isolation occurring amongst older people living in Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire.

Hosted by Phil Tooley, commentator on Chesterfield FC’s 1866 Sport radio station, the awards ceremony opened with the BrightLife Champion Young Person – an award won by Luke Briddon for his work with the Senior Spireites at the Chesterfield FC Community Trust.

Luke’s nominator for the award, Oliver Barnes, a Wellbeing Officer at Chesterfield FC Community Trust, commented: “People might be isolated, lonely, they might have lost a significant other, but Luke’s always there to put a smile on their face. I don’t think he realises how much impact he has on their lives, and that’s why we’ve nominated him for this award”.

The final award to be presented on the evening was that of the BrightLife Champion Award, as sponsored by Hammond & Co. This award was presented to Farida McGann, who was nominated by Mel Dorna, a health and wellbeing coach for Derbyshire County Council.

Farida’s work to prevent loneliness and isolation began during Lockdown when Farida felt compelled to want to support a neighbour. Following her experience of offering companionship and support to her neighbour Mrs McGann was inspired to start a community group.

The one community group then grew into two and Mrs McGann now runs a number of community groups on a weekly basis.

Mel Dorna, who nominated Mrs McGann for the award commented: “Over the last year Farida has developed groups and now runs a weekly mental health support group, a health and well-being group, a group exclusively to support men….she welcomes everybody through the door.”

The seven category award winners were:

  • Champion Young Person (Sponsored by 1866 Sport) – Luke Briddon
  • Champion Charity (Sponsored by Aztec Oils Ltd) – Chesterfield FC Community Trust
  • Champion Business (Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors) – Magnavale Ltd
  • Champion Neighbour (Sponsored by Heron Publications Ltd) – Rachael Mullen
  • Champion Carer (Sponsored by Age Care Bathrooms) – Sandra Bower
  • Champion Volunteer (Sponsored by Hastings Freight Ltd) – Lynda Lewis
  • Champion – (Sponsored by Hammond & Co) – Farida McGann

Chesterfield FC’s Community Trust, Casa Hotel, Banner Jones Solicitors and Heron Publications support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Champions against loneliness awards

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Partnership between Derbyshire Voluntary Action and University of Derby recognised by Student Nursing Times Awards

Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s partnership project ‘Community Chesterfield’ has been named as a finalist for its work with the University of Derby in the upcoming Student Nursing Times Awards.

The Student Nursing Times Awards is the largest student and nurse education awards in the country, and will take place at the end of April.

It recognises the work of individual student nurses, and the organisations and groups that help them excel. The finalists have been named, and now have to present to the judges to see who will be named the winner at the awards in Mayfair, London.

DVA’s Community Chesterfield project won the award last year, and the team is hoping to retain the title in 2023.

The partnership between Derbyshire Voluntary Action and the University of Derby is a great example of how charity organisations and universities can come together to have a positive impact on healthcare.

Daniel Jones, Marketing and Communications Officer at DVA commented: “Our partnership project being recognised as a finalist in the upcoming Student Nursing Times Awards is a testament to its success. We hope to impress the judges next month to win for the second year running.”

The collaboration between the two organisations has enabled nursing students to gain access to free training, placements, events, and opportunities to meet and network with community groups and experts, giving them invaluable experience in the healthcare sector. The university’s support for the charity’s work has also helped to strengthen relationships within the local community, helping to provide essential resources to community groups throughout Derbyshire.

This partnership is an inspiring example of how university-charity connections can have a meaningful impact on healthcare education as well as the ability to prepare future healthcare professionals for success.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action and the University of Derby support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

team community chesterfield

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City Taxis agrees tasty partnership with Eat in the Park Festival

City Taxis has announced a partnership with Chesterfield’s new food and music festival, Eat In The Park. 

The festival is set to make its debut in Chesterfield this August, after holding a string of successful festivals since it’s 2020 launch in Buxton.

Set to take place over the weekend of August 5th and 6th in Queens Park, the festival promises to be a fun-packed family-friendly weekend, with live music from top tribute bands, delicious food including Chesterfield favourite, Fat Pig BBQ, and locally sourced drinks from Buxton Brewery.

Kate Beswick, Client Relationship Manager at City Taxis said: “I am delighted to be collaborating with Eat in the Park and am confident it will be a great addition to the town centre.

“Having been and enjoyed the festival the last 2 years in Buxton, it has the full festival feel that all the family can enjoy, for a very reasonable price.”

The inaugural Chesterfield event will also comprise:

– Live music across two stages
– VIP area – private bar, luxury loos, viewing platform, magicians and more
– Tribute artists and local talent
– Vendors serving cuisines from around the world
– Kids entertainment – Face painting, Bubbles Away, Disney Performers, Roaming acts and more.

Co-founders of Eat in the Park, George Darbyshire and Jake Burnham, commented: “We are extremely excited to be partnering with City Taxis for Eat in the Park Chesterfield in Queens Park.

“Our partnership with City Taxis will ensure that festival goers can take advantage of their great service and get to and from the festival safely!”

As the official taxi partner to the festival, City Taxis will be introducing an official taxi pick-up and drop-off point at various key locations, enabling festival goers to get in and out of the park safely and conveniently.

With thousands of people set to attend the event, passengers are being encouraged to pre-book their taxis ahead of the event. As ever with festivals, the demand for taxis will be high at the close of each day, but there are plenty of options in Chesterfield town centre to continue your evening.

Find out more about things you could be getting up to in the evening here in Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/places-to-visit/night-out/

To pre-book your taxis, please call City Taxis on 01246 222 222 or download their free booking app: https://lnk.to/VykGaN

Festival tickets are available here: https://lnk.to/VcLM2zsM

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

Eat in the Park - Buxton 2022

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Chesterfield’s Oasis Studio brings local housing development to life with immersive digital experience

A Chesterfield company which specialises in creating immersive digital experiences has worked to bring a local housing development to life.

Oasis Studio’s EyeSiteView brand creates immersive & interactive CGI for property marketing and sales, with the technology recently being implemented to showcase the William Davis Homes’ Skylarks development in Dunston.

Only a five-minute drive from Chesterfield, Skylarks is a development nestled in the Derbyshire countryside. William Davis wanted to invest in a virtual toolkit that drives engagement from their increasingly digitally-savvy customer base.

Oasis Studio is based just over a mile away from where the development is taking place. The content created by the firm is now being used across the William Davis website, social media and sales centre.

Tony Buck, Associate Director at Oasis Studio commented: “As technology continually evolves, we are noticing an increasing demand from developers and house-builders to be able to start selling their homes much earlier.

“However, to be able to achieve this, buyers also need to feel like they are able to make well-informed decisions in order to make a sizable financial commitment. So, that’s where we come in. Using a combination of VR, AR & CGI, we can allow house buyers to explore sites, houses and even customise their kitchens to fit their requirements, all before any bricks are even laid.”

Speaking on the local linkup with William Davis on the Skylarks project, Tony added: “Chesterfield is obviously the heart of where our business is. We have several employees here who live locally or who have been brought up in Derbyshire, so it’s very rewarding to be able to not only see these developments enhance our surrounding towns but also to be involved in the journey.

“From the initial CAD drawings, our talented team create amazing interactive experiences that really impact the sales of property, so to see all that hard work come to life is very satisfying.”

We are experts in guiding housebuilders through a digital transformation. By creating highly accurate ‘3D digital twins’ of developments before they exist, our 360 Virtual Tours, Active Siteplans and Home Configurators really help bring them to life. Ultimately, it allows house buyers the ability to make well-informed decisions more quickly, and increase those all-important off-site sales.

Find out more at: www.eyesiteview.co.uk or on our social media channels: @eyesiteview

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

skylarks eyesiteview

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University of Derby named in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion at work

The University of Derby, which runs courses from Chesterfield’s St. Helena’s Campus has been ranked in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for the first time.

Compiled by Stonewall, Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights, the widely anticipated list recognises employers who support LGBTQ+ employees to be themselves at work.

The University of Derby joins a number of construction firms and legal, health, finance and education providers who made it onto the list. In addition, the institution has also received the Stonewall Gold Employer Award for the second year running.

Over the past year the University has run a variety of campaigns and initiatives to help raise LGBTQIA+ awareness among its employees and to promote an inclusive environment across its campuses in Derby, Buxton and Chesterfield. These include mentoring and coaching programmes, staff training, and development of its LGBT+ Allies staff network.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “I am delighted that the University has been recognised by Stonewall for the continuing emphasis we place on supporting all people to be themselves. The Top 100 ranking and the Gold Employer Award reflect the work we have done to emphasise our commitment to inclusion, and demonstrate that our University is a safe and inclusive environment for our staff and students to work and study.”

Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List 2023 is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are.

Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall, said: “It’s been fantastic to see all of the work put in by the University of Derby over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQ+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves.

“For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.”

Stonewall’s Top 100 list is compiled through submissions to a free, voluntary benchmarking tool, the Workplace Equality Index. All submissions are then marked against thorough and standardised criteria and the Top 100 are picked out by Stonewall for their excellent work in creating inclusive workplaces for their LGBTQ+ staff.

Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. It continues to campaign on LGBT Equality, as well as work with employers and schools to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.

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

Univerity of Derby

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Major investment projects in Clay Cross Town Centre approved by Government

Proposals for four key town centre projects in Clay Cross have been approved, supported by the £24 million Town Fund investment.

The Clay Cross Town Board and North East Derbyshire District Council’s proposals have been given the green light by the government this week.

Final details are still to be agreed, but the projects are now progressing and the Council and Town Board are keen to hear the views of businesses and residents of Clay Cross on these transformations.

The four proposed projects of the newly-produced masterplan for the town centre consist of:

  • Transport and connections improvements (subject to an upcoming consultation) – proposals include providing enhanced parking and access from the A61, improving traffic flow through the town, re-opening Bridge Street from Harris Way and the possibility of converting the one way section of Market Street from Bridge Street to High Street into a pedestrian zone.
  • Skills and Enterprise zone – renovating the clock tower building (Adult Education Centre) into a hub for learning and business engagement, which also includes a proposal to bring the library into the town centre.
  • Clay Cross Community/Social area – preserving, restoring and enhancing heritage buildings in the centre of the town, focused on restoring the annex building of the clock tower building and creating a new leisure space fronting onto the proposed new town square area.
  • Broadleys site – forming a new town square as the heart between other elements of the Town Deal, providing flexible accommodation for start-up businesses in pop-up enterprise units and providing a space for community activities.

Proposed masterplan for clay cross project

Clay Cross Town Board Deputy Chair and North East Derbyshire District Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Charlotte Cupit said: “The £24 million Town Deal is a great opportunity to bring a boost to Clay Cross town centre.

“Through our business forums we’ve been speaking to local shops and businesses to focus on the key spaces and transport improvements needed.

“The aim of these proposed projects is to promote a more effective, cohesive town centre regeneration whilst also preserving some of the fantastic historic buildings we have in the town to create a really good mix of old and new features for our residents and businesses to enjoy.

“We’re really keen to hear the views of residents and businesses on these plans and we’ll be holding various consultations and events over the coming months – please do get in involved and let us know your thoughts.”

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Transformation and Climate Change, Cllr Jeremy Kenyon said: “It’s fantastic to get the green light from Government and really get things moving with a more focused plan for Clay Cross.

“We have got some great projects here which will really transform the town, bring investment, jobs and opportunities to the area.”

Behind the scenes, progress has been made in procuring buildings and land, and a more specific design plan is being developed which will reflect the approved refocus.

In addition to the above, the Town Board and North East Derbyshire District Council continue to progress the redevelopment of Sharley Park (with works now starting on site!), reviewing the feasibility of a new Clay Cross train station and developing further projects around decarbonisation of the town.

Clay Cross

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Regional unemployment rate remains below the national average

The unemployment rate in the East Midlands declined slightly from 3.4% to 3.3% in the three months to December, remaining below the UK average of 3.7%.

The figures have been published by the Office for National Statistics in its latest regional labour market data published on Tuesday, 14th February.

However, the region’s economic inactivity rate – which measures the number of working-age people who have dropped out of the labour market for reasons such as retirement, caring duties, long-term ill health or studying – climbed to a record high of 22.7%, compared to a UK rate of 21.4%.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “After an upwards trajectory in the level of unemployment since the summer – albeit against a context of still being at historically low levels – it is good to see this curve begin to flatten in recent months.

“As we also saw with the UK economy narrowly heading off a widely-expected recession at the end of 2022, this is another important indicator in illustrating the resilience of our businesses during what has been a very challenging three years with pandemic restrictions followed by a cost-of-doing-business crisis.

Scott Knowles

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber

“Yet we shouldn’t get complacent about a strong jobs market and our own research suggests unemployment levels may not remain so low this year.

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey for Q4 2022 found there was an 8% decline from quarter to quarter in the proportion of East Midlands businesses that added to their workforce in the previous three months, while there was a similar drop-off in recruitment prospects over the coming three months.”

The rising economic inactivity rate – which was 18.7% immediately before Covid-19 lockdown – poses a cause for concern and the Chamber has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to address it in the forthcoming Spring Budget, scheduled for 15 March.

Scott added: “Not only are they continuing to face unsustainable cost pressures, but as the rising economic inactivity rate demonstrates, we have one of the tightest labour markets ever seen. Businesses that want to grow, and create jobs and wealth in their local areas, are unable to do so because of acute skills shortages.

“This poses a major concern for the road ahead as our economy plateaus but with the Spring Budget fast approaching, there are measures the Government can take to support businesses to develop a skills base fit for 21st century industry.

“In our Business Manifesto for Growth launched in Parliament last November, we proposed a series of reforms around how businesses invest in their people.

“These include flexible incentives for business investment in staff training, expanding the use of the apprenticeship levy, bringing forward the introduction of the lifelong loan entitlement to support retraining and the retainment of an older workforce, and a comprehensive reform of the shortage occupation list to allow sectors facing urgent demand for skills to get what they need.

“In other words, this is about ‘getting the basics right’ – removing the day-to-day barriers for businesses and ensuring the basic building blocks of economic success are in place.”

To read the Chamber’s Business Manifesto for Growth, A Centre of Trading Excellence, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/manifesto. 

East Midlands Chamber - Chesterfield office

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Family Law Group moves to new office space in Chesterfield

The Derbyshire branch of Family Law Group has announced a move to Chesterfield’s Hayfield House.

The office space, situated prominently in the heart of Chesterfield will provide the business with a central location to improve the firm’s quality service to clients.

Established in 2005, Family Law Group has over 130 employees across 10 offices in Nottingham, Chesterfield, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Wellingborough, Derby, Loughborough, Peterborough, Bedford and Cambridge.

Family Law Group provides expert legal advice across the full range of Family Law matters including Divorce & Separation, Child Arrangements & Social Services, Care Proceedings, Matrimonial Finance & Property, Mediation, Collaborative Law, Forced Marriage and Domestic Abuse Injunctions. Family Law Group is Investors in People and Lexcel accredited.

In the company’s Chesterfield office, Associate Solicitor Johanna Brewer, Solicitor Aimee Booth and SQE Apprentice Stephanie Smart together have substantial experience in divorce proceedings, finance settlements and child contact arrangements, as well as Legal Aid work. They are looking forward to supporting their local community through the new Family Law Group presence in the town.

Johanna Brewer, Associate Solicitor at Family Law Group commented: “As a team, we’re really excited to be moving to Hayfield House. The building has excellent facilities and will enable us to grow our presence in the local area.

“Chesterfield is undergoing a lot of regeneration at the moment, which will transform the town for years to come. We’re excited to be part of that transformation, and our investment shows our belief in the growth of Chesterfield and the surrounding area.

“We are always happy to help residents in the town with any of their family law matters, so please do get in touch if there is any situation in which you require our services.”

Find out more about the fantastic range of flexible, affordable and high-quality office spaces available here in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

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

Johanna Brewer Family Law Groupimage

Johanna Brewer, Family Law Group

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Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group continues drive to promote skills & talent in the sector

Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group is continuing to address skills shortages in the sector by working in collaboration with the public sector and education providers.

This was evidenced recently at the town’s Employability and Skills Conference, which saw more than a hundred delegates discuss the current skills landscape in the town.

At the conference, Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director at the Devonshire Group updated attendees on the exciting Construction Skills Hub, which is set to be developed in Mastin Moor.

The hub will provide a live learning environment for apprentices in the town, in order to help them gain vital skills and experience, helping people in Chesterfield build strong careers in the property and construction sector.

In the East Midlands, an extra 17,500 construction workers will be needed from 2023-2027, an annual requirement of 3,500 new workers every year.

We spoke to Andrew at the conference to get his thoughts on the current skills landscape across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, and how local organisations are working to meet the demand.

We’ve heard in recent times a lot about skills shortages in the property and construction sector. To what extent is this affecting the industry?

“One of the problems the property and construction sector faces at the moment, is that its workforce is getting older. We need to begin bringing in the next generation.

“The next generation can help us contribute towards solving the housing crisis, delivering the employment and industrial growth that we want to see in the country, and helping to deliver the physical, social and green infrastructure needed to help us meet that key target of net-zero by 2050.”

What can Chesterfield and North Derbyshire firms do to bring more skilled and talented people into their companies?

“We’ve been here at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference today (Wednesday, 8th February), hearing from both the education sector and industry about the skills that are needed.

“My key message for people in industry and the property and construction sector, is to get involved!

“It is incumbent on us to actually make a difference, get involved and encourage people into what we do. We should be proud of it.”

For a young person, how rewarding can a career in the property and construction sector be?

“I absolutely love the business that I’m in and I love the property and construction sector. The people I meet, the problems I solve, and the fact that I’m part of teams that build the places that we live, work and play in.

“To come away from a project and know that you were actually a part of it, and that project is going to be there for years to come is a great feeling.”

Tell us about the partnership working taking place locally to encourage the growth of skills in the property and construction sectors.

“You’ll have heard a lot about the work that we’re doing as part of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group.

In the forum, we launched a pilot scheme for women in construction. That is a mentoring scheme where women who are already in the property and construction business, have been mentoring pupils in years 10 and 11 across local schools in Chesterfield.

The second way we’ve been making a difference is the work we have been doing with Parkside School. Members from the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group have been into the school, carrying out a speed networking session with the pupils to show them the range of careers and projects that we get involved in. We answered some of their questions and tried to light that spark so that they take more of an interest in what we do.

I’d also like to refer to the Construction Skills Hub that we’ve been working to deliver with Chesterfield College, Chesterfield Borough Council and the University of Derby. This will be delivered on-site at Mastin Moor across the course of 2023.

New apprentices will be able to learn the skills that the industry needs at the moment, alongside what the industry is going to need in the future to hit those net-zero targets.”

With a range of regeneration projects taking place in Chesterfield currently, do you feel it’s an exciting time to get into the profession?

“The sector is always exciting, but it is particularly exciting in Chesterfield at the moment because there is so much going on.

You see the schemes at Chesterfield Waterside, the work that we’re doing over at Mastin Moor, work that we’re looking to do over at Markham Vale and the regeneration of Staveley.

There is an awful lot going on in Chesterfield at the moment, so it really is a great time. What I would say though, is that it is always a great time to be getting involved in the industry.

If you’re not building it, you’re usually planning for it or trying to solve the problems that make it happen, so the key thing is to get involved!”

Chesterfield is the first town in the UK to declare itself an Apprentice Town – demonstrating its commitment to growing the future and careers of young people alongside business and the economy by retaining and developing young talent in the town in order to attract more employers to invest here.

Find out more about the range of activities and initiatives being carried out by Chesterfield Property and Construction Group at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/

andrew byrne devonshire group

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

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