Destination Chesterfield

Collaboration leads to eye-catching display for SDL Minorfern

A collaborative project between two local businesses has led to an eye-catching display being produced and displayed at SDL Minorfern.

The motor parts company has worked with creative experts FWD motion to produce graphics on a Perspex display highlighting the company’s values and achievements. The display is now proudly showcased in the company’s reception area to welcome customers and visitors to the business.

Julie Havenhand, Human Resources Director at SDL Minorfern said: “We are extremely pleased with the result of both the reception wall and the values branding that FWD did, they are a pleasure to work with and very supportive of our vision.

“With the wall being at head office in Clay Cross where the business originally started 42 years ago, it has even more importance to display the history and the growth of the business, from then until now. When visitors and candidates arrive they have the opportunity to see our journey and it’s a great talking point.

“SDL is really proactive in using local business where possible and we value it as vitally important, giving back to the community and also supporting small businesses where possible. Having 12 branches we therefore have the opportunity to support local businesses in all of those areas.”

Emma Cole, Head of Marketing at FWD Motion commented: “FWD were delighted to work with SDL developing their company core value graphics.  Working not only on design, but also installation means we get to see a project delivered and in use. Seeing it on display in the Head Office makes a real difference as you can visualise the impact it will have in the workplace.

“As a fully integrated creative agency we can work with clients on design, print, installation, development and marketing projects.  We love working with local companies and helping make a positive branding impact.  If anyone has a project they’d like to discuss, we’d love to help.

SDL Minorfern and FWD Motion support 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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Corrugated Case Company to Support Chesterfield’s Plastic Free Festival

Chesterfield’s Plastic Free Festival, which debuted last year, has announced it’s headline sponsor for the 2022 event – Corrugated Case Company.

The festival, which takes place on Sunday 12th June 10am-4pm in New Square marketplace, aims to be the one-stop place to help people to reduce their single-use plastics, with a special plastic-free marketplace with stallholders selling products that encourage a plastic-free lifestyle, craft workshops for upcycling and recycling, food and drink, and live music performances. No single-use plastics will be given out at the event, with attendees encouraged to bring their own bottles, cups and containers.

This year’s event will feature special guests, Pride of Britain winners Amy and Ella Meek of Kids Against Plastic, who have given numerous TED talks, picked up countless pieces of litter, and influenced businesses, schools and thousands of young people around the world.

Since the festival announced it’s 2022 date towards the end of last year, the event organisation has signed up two main sponsors, Superior Wellness and CCS Media. Now the Corrugated Case Company has come on board as the headline sponsor. The company is one of the UK’s leading cardboard and corrugated packaging manufacturers, specialising in the design and production of cardboard boxes and promotional material.

Mark Wilcockson, CEO of Corrugated Case Company said: “We are delighted to be supporting and exhibiting at the Plastic Free Festival 2022.  Being local manufacturers of cardboard packaging, we relish the opportunity to showcase our work with this sector and our in-house creative venture Deckle & Chop.  There is a great need to move away from plastics, now more than ever and by thinking ‘outside the box’ we aim to do this. We look forward to seeing you there!”

CCS Media, one of the two main sponsors, said ‘At CCS Media we are proud to support the 2022 Plastic Free Festival as helping our communities forms a great part of our culture and ESG sustainability is vital to who we are.’

Greg Hewitt, Chair of the Plastic Free Festival Organising Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the local companies signing up to sponsor the festival, helping us to put on a great event for the second year. I’m particularly excited that Corrugated Case Company have signed up, with their incredible plastic-free packaging proving that single-use plastics can be a thing of the past. We’re really looking forward to being able to showcase their work at the festival.”

Corrugated Case Company and Superior Wellness support 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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Popular fish and chip restaurant confirms expansion to Markham Vale

Popular fish & chip restaurant and takeaway Chesters is set to expand it’s presence even further across North Derbyshire, with plans moving forward to open a new restaurant at Markham Vale.

Chesters has been trading from it’s original base on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield for more than a decade, picking up a number of awards and positive reviews from customers in the process.

Now, owner Chris Ioannides is excited to expand the business to another site in the area. He said: “We are ecstatic & proud that we can be expanding in this current climate.

“It’s a struggle and very challenging but like others we are battling through and although our date has been pushed back we can’t wait to open and to be able to offer our services to the other side of Chesterfield.

“It’s been 10 years of hard work with some weeks working up to to 60 hours to establish our branch on Sheffield road. This has created us a successful brand name in the industry and won us local and national awards which has helped build out reputation to what it is today.

“This along with all our hard work and the great support of people of chesterfield has now helped us to expand.”

The new Chester’s will combine a restaurant, takeaway & drive through. The building will have tall vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass bi-fold doors and windows, which will make it a great dining experience in the summer. A reclaimed boat, man-made sea huts and huge reclaimed walls with artistic drawing will also make up the impressive décor.

The team is hoping to open the new premises in June, despite a few setbacks in the building process caused by Covid-19 and other factors.

Chris continued: “Being local ourselves and being that it’s the people of chesterfield that have supported us over the decade it certainly makes us want to expand our branch within chesterfield & surrounding areas. This gives our community something back by providing many jobs and opportunities for the people of chesterfield. When we are mentioned nationally we are proud to put chesterfield on the map.”

Chesters

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International football set to return to Chesterfield in March

England’s Young Lions will head to Chesterfield’s Technique Stadium in March.

The MU19s host a 2022 UEFA U19 EURO elite round group with Armenia, Portugal and Republic of Ireland as they bid to qualify for this summer’s finals in Slovakia.

Ian Foster’s age group will conclude the group with a fixture against Portugal at the Technique Stadium on Tuesday, March 29 (7.30pm kick-off).

Prior to that, England will host Republic of Ireland at Walsall on Wednesday, March 23 (7.30pm kick-off)  and Armenia at Rotherham United on Saturday, March 26 (2pm kick-off).

Only the group winners qualify for the U19 EURO finals, a tournament England has won once in its current guise in 2017.

The home of the Spireites has hosted a number of international matches since its opening more than a decade ago, ranging from under-16 to under-21 levels. The technique was also one of the host venues for the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship in 2013.

Foster said: “It’s great that we have home advantage for this final phase of our qualifying campaign and even better that it allows us to take our Young Lions around the country.

“We’re looking forward to visiting Chesterfield where the backing will be vital in helping to get us over the line to qualify for the U19 EURO finals in Slovakia this summer.

“It’s rare that football fans get to witness the next crop of young England stars in their region so we hope to see plenty of all ages come out to enjoy the unique experience of watching international football.”

Chesterfield chief executive John Croot said: “We are honoured to have once again been asked to host an international fixture at the Technique Stadium. We attract good attendances for international matches and we are looking forward to welcoming the Young Lions.”

Tickets are on sale now at TheFA.com/tickets.

Chesterfield Football Club 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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Have your say on business in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield are encouraging local retail and leisure businesses located throughout Chesterfield and Staveley town centres to complete a quick survey to allow us to gain a further understanding about supporting our high streets and town centres across the borough.

As a town centre or high street business, we would be grateful if you could complete the business tracker that will allow us to monitor the performance of the town, the success of marketing campaigns, events and business support.

This will help us shape future support for businesses, and events in the borough. Your insight will also be really useful to inform aspects of our significant investment plans which are being brought forward through the Levelling Up Fund and Staveley Town Deal.

The questions focus on your business’s location, if you have seen any recent increases or decreases in turnover pre and post pandemic, the level of footfall you see in your area, your views on Chesterfield or Staveley town centre as a place to shop, your awareness of business support available and your awareness of recent events held in the borough such as the Christmas Lights Switch On and the 1940s Market.

The results will be analysed and the process with be completed three times per year going forward.

Your opinions are important to us, and it will take less than 10 minutes to complete the questions.

The survey will close at the end of February 2022.

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Chesterfield Museum prepares for multi-million pound renovation

Chesterfield Museum is set to close in preparation for a multi-million-pound renovation project that will create an enhanced and improved customer experience.

It is the next step in the refurbishment of Chesterfield’s historic Stephenson Memorial Hall, which houses the museum and The Pomegranate Theatre.

Proposals for the renovation of the Grade 2 listed building are due to go before Chesterfield Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday 28 February and, if approved, the museum will close from Tuesday 1 March to begin the complex process of moving the historic collection into safe storage.

The project is projected to cost around £15 million with £11 million of funding being secured via the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. Chesterfield Borough Council has received almost £20 million through this Government fund, the other £8 million will be used to support and enhance the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield Project.

Together this funding will help ensure that Chesterfield is a vibrant market town by improving connections across the town centre and enhancing the visitor economy.

Under the plans the refurbished Stephenson Memorial Hall will bring together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.

The work will also protect the Grade 2 listed building and ensure that it remains part of the borough’s heritage for many more generations to come.

Creating a more accessible experience is another key aim of the proposals. The plans include a new lift which would help disabled guests access the circle and upper museum floors and to compliment this there would be an increased number of wheelchair spaces within the theatre.

Also included in the plans are improvements to lighting, heating, and ventilation.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, explained: “Stephenson Memorial Hall is one of our most striking buildings and these exciting plans are set to make it even more memorable and enjoyable – creating a modern visitor experience in the heart of our town centre.

“Our wonderful museum is a central part of the building and we’re now preparing for the huge and complex task of moving thousands of treasured items that are in our local collections to a safe, temporary home. Subject to planning approval, the museum will close at the start of March, and building work is set to begin later in the year.”

Items in the collection will be securely stored in a controlled environment to ensure preservation. One of the signature pieces, the medieval builder’s wheel, will be stored with a specialist renovator who will clean it whilst work progresses in the building.

Councillor Sarvent added: “We’re working hard to make sure people will still be able to enjoy our theatre and museum attractions in new and innovative ways while the transformation of the building is carried out.

“Our team at the museum regularly host interactive activities and events to help all members of our community connect with our history and we’re exploring even more ways to do this over the coming years – you’ll be able to find out more about our plans on our website and social media pages soon.”

Revolution House, which tells the story of the Revolution of 1688, will reopen on Friday 15 April. The free museum will then be open every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 11am to 4pm until Sunday 18 September.

Whilst the Museum collection is moved the Pomegranate Theatre will continue to operate as normal and tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01246 345 222 or by visiting www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk.

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Chesterfield businesses encouraged to submit entries for the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2022

Entries are now open for the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2022, the annual ranking of England’s outstanding apprenticeship employers produced by the Department for Education.

The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers celebrates England’s outstanding apprenticeship employers and helps future apprentices, parents and careers advisers to identify apprenticeship opportunities at the country’s leading employers.

First launched in 2020, the annual employer rankings have been developed by the Department of Education, in partnership with High Fliers Research, who independently assess and rank the nation’s top apprenticeship employers.

The rankings weren’t produced in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re back in 2022 to showcase the apprenticeship employers that have done the most to provide successful apprenticeships over the last 12 months.

And new for 2022, England’s top small and medium-sized employers are being featured for the first time in the Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers.

Employers will be recognised for their commitment to employing apprentices, their creation of new apprenticeships, the diversity of their new apprentices, and the number of apprentices who complete their apprenticeships and progress further with the employer.

Together, the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers will reveal which employers – large and small – are the country’s top apprenticeship employers for 2022.

Apprenticeship employers in every industry and employment sector – from accountancy, fashion and law, to teaching, nursing and engineering – are invited to enter for this year’s rankings.

The entry deadline is Friday 25th March and the new rankings will be announced during a special live broadcast in the summer of 2022.

More details about the rankings, how to prepare your entry, and the minimum entry requirements are available on the official entry website: http://topapprenticeshipemployers.co.uk

The new employer rankings for 2022 will be announced during a special live broadcast in the summer, celebrating the country’s leading employers of apprentices.

Nadhim Zahawi, Secretary of State for Education said: “The business benefits and career opportunities created by apprenticeships makes them a key feature of our commitment to level up skills and opportunity across the country.

“There are thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors that are providing individuals with the chance to learn new skills and have successful careers, while boosting their business’ success in the process.

These rankings will help everyone, from young people to career-changers, to make informed decisions about their future and unleash their full potential. I encourage all eligible employers to enter.”

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

 

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Conference hears how delivery of post-16 green and digital skills a priority to support area’s economic growth

Green and digital skills have been identified as a priority to support economic growth in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Speaking at the sixth annual Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference (9 February 2022), Fiona Baker Head of People and Skills at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We lag behind the rest of the UK in terms of productivity, and this is because our workforce doesn’t have the right skills.

“There has been an exponential increase in employer demand for digital skills recently.  Businesses and education and training providers must work together to ensure that young people are equipped with the right skills to meet the local growth agenda.”

With more than 16,000 students in North Derbyshire set to gain their GCSE and A level qualifications in the next five years and thousands of jobs expected to be created following investment in Staveley, the free conference brought together business leaders and the education community to address the future employability and skills of young people.

The conference followed the Department for Education’s announcement last year that it plans to reform post-16 technical education and training to support people to develop the skills needed to get good jobs and improve national productivity.

Organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield, with support from D2N2 Careers Hub – Derbyshire North, the conference also heard from businesses and education and training providers in the local area.

Nick Catt, Managing Director of Weightron Bilanciai who spoke at the conference urged local providers to work together, saying: “Schools, colleges and businesses need to engage with each other to identify the skills needed in the economy. Having a generic approach to skills doesn’t work as every local economy is different.”

Julie Richards, Principal and CEO of the Chesterfield College Group, welcomed the proposed changes to post-16 education saying: “”The need has never been greater to work in partnership to provide our young people with post 16 options which ensure everyone in our society has opportunities to develop at all levels. We must meet their needs, and the needs of our economy now and in the future.”

Cllr Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “The conference has highlighted that one in 4 young people fall out of their post-16 education choice at age 17. We must ensure that young people get the right information at 16 and that they make an informed decision to take up the correct training provision for their own future. In turn this will help ensure they get the right training to work in highly skilled jobs which will contribute to a thriving local economy and provide a high quality of life for local people.

“It is crucial that we look to the future and the skills we will need to transition to a low carbon economy in Chesterfield. Ensuring that we have the right mix of skills to support a sustainable future is key to mitigating the effects of the climate crisis. It was great to hear from employers and training providers about how they will be helping to support this transition and providing the skills needed to support a low carbon, high value local economy.”

Around 100 people attended the conference at Speedwell Rooms in Staveley. The annual conference aims to strengthen links between education providers and local businesses to ensure that school leavers are work ready and have the skills required by businesses in the area. As well as representatives from the business community and skills and education providers, students from Springwell Community College, which is based in Staveley, also joined the conference.

Emily Carter, Operational Careers Hub Lead at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said “For young people, meeting employers and experiencing different workplaces is a key element in helping them find their best next step.  We are delighted that local cornerstone employers, strategic partners of the D2N2 Careers Hub and Careers & Enterprise Company joined the conference to share best practice, and a huge thanks to the young people from Springwell Community College who facilitated table discussions.

With a regeneration programme currently underway in Staveley and thousands of jobs expected to be created over the next few years, Ivan Fomin, Chair of Staveley Town Deal commented: “It’s important that businesses, the council and education and training providers work together to make sure these opportunities are fully realised for local people. The Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference is the first step in making this happen.”

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DBCP provides advice to local homeowners and tenants following increase in energy prices

With energy prices on the rise, people are turning off their heating to save money. However, it could end up costing them more long term.

Derbyshire’s building control services provider, DBCP, is urging people to try and keep their heating on and not block ventilation in their homes, as they risk causing damp and mould problems which are damaging not only to the fabric of a building but also pose a health hazard.

Building Regulations require all new buildings and alterations to existing buildings to include damp proof courses where walls and floors are in contact with the earth. However, damp proof courses do not protect the building from internal moisture build up caused by condensation which can damage plaster and paint, as well as lead to window frame decay.

A family of four generates around 280 full buckets of moisture on average per year through everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes and even breathing. In new build homes, the problem is worse as up to 8,000 litres of water (about 800 full buckets) may be included in mixtures and materials and will take up to two years to evaporate.

If excess moisture cannot escape, then it can also become a health hazard. Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances.

According to the NHS website, inhaling or touching mould spores can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, a skin rash and even asthma attacks. Babies, elderly people and those with respiratory and skin problems or weakened immune system are among those affected the most.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP explained: “To conserve heat as we try to manage our energy bills, people can be tempted to block all draughts, like covering an air vent, in an attempt to make their homes warm. However, it’s important to ensure that air is able to circulate in order to maintain a good moisture balance. If there isn’t a good moisture balance in then it will cause damp and mould problems in your home.”

To ensure you have a moisture-balanced home, David recommends five simple steps:

  1. Open a window – when moisture generation is higher than usual, (e.g. when showering or cooking) increase ventilation by simply opening a window or turning on an extractor fan.
  2. Keep gutters clean – ensure there are no rainwater or plumbing leaks which could cause damp.
  3. Dry laundry outside – drying laundry inside typically increases interior humidity by 30% on laundry day and 15% overall. Even in freezing temperatures, your clothes will dry eventually.
  4. Take cooler showers – lowering the temperature of your shower by just a few degrees, won’t add as much steam to the air, which helps with humidity levels.
  5. Heat your home – although energy prices are continuing to rise, avoiding damp and mould issues will save you more money long term.

David added “Dampness and mould in properties has always been an issue and it’s partly due to the cold climate we have here in the UK. Fortunately, there are many low cost and free solutions we can put in place to tackle the problem and ensure we all maintain a healthy, moisture-balanced home. However, if you are worried about moisture build-up, damp, mould or any other issue with your property, seek advice from a property maintenance of construction professional.”

DBCP is the leading provider of building control services in Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands. It was formed following a collaboration of  eight established Local Authority Building Control Services from: Derby City Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, Amber Valley Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

This collaboration has created the most effective and efficient service to deliver building control requirements throughout Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

If you’re worried about potential structural damage caused to your home by damp, get in touch with DBCP’s team for advice, by calling 0333 880 2000 or via the website – dbcp.co.uk.

DBCP 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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Superior Wellness adds two new brands to its growing portfolio

Chesterfield’s Superior Wellness has announced the launch of two new brands for 2022, both welcomed extensions to its growing brand portfolio.

The two new brands, AquaSolus and Fiji Spas, will offer improved choice, innovation and exceptional designs.

AquaSolus is Superior Wellness’ most high-end product offering in its ten-year history. The new hot tubs from this range will be marketed to prospective partners looking to expand their product offering.

Superior Wellness, the world’s fastest growing hot tub manufacturer, currently offers a wide range of hot tubs and swim spas from leading brands including Platinum Spas, Be Well, Thermals Spas and California Spas.

The two new brands were recently soft launched at SPATEX: The Pool, Spa & Wellness Show 2022. Superior Wellness proudly showcased a variety of hot tubs at the show. Six of the models displayed were completely new to the market for 2022.

AquaSolus

AquaSolus, meaning ‘health through water’ in Latin, is the essence of what users will experience with this range. The hot tubs have been developed with wellness and hydrotherapy at the forefront, offering the most premium hot tub range from the Superior Wellness portfolio yet.

The range encompasses various well sculptured models, from all seater models to models with one lounger. There are six hot tubs in total, all which are named after famous lakes from across globe.

The moulds and placements of jets have been carefully crafted to offer a world-class hydrotherapy experience. AquaSolus will help Superior Wellness and its global partner network attract a completely new target market.

Fiji Spas

Fiji Spas, the new Canadian built hot tub range from Superior Wellness, brings together quality engineering alongside industry leading materials and experienced manufacturing.

The hot tubs have been carefully designed with the end user in mind offering a selection of family orientated hot tubs that incorporate a range of benefits to suit all customer requirements. Fiji Spas encompasses various well sculptured models, from a compact single lounger to a 3-hydrotherapy pump social seater.

Graham Message, Business Development Manager at Superior Wellness, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to launch the new brands at SPATEX this year. This was our first return since the 2020 show, and it was fantastic to return with such a strong presence.

“The response we received from prospect partners was incredibly positive. We are excited about the latest additions to our brand portfolio and are confident that both AquaSolus and Fiji Spas will offer customers across the globe improved choice and exceptional hydrotherapy.

“We welcome any new partners who are interested in partnering with Superior Wellness to reach out to us. There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the journey.”

In addition to the new brands, Platinum Spas, the long-standing flagship brand by Superior Wellness, has also launched three new hot tubs for 2022. The Marseille, Monaco and Mykonos are the latest additions to the Platinum Spas premium range. The Monaco hot tub was proudly displayed on the Superior Wellness stand at SPATEX 2022.

Superior Wellness 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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Chesterfield MP congratulates local construction apprentices

The Chesterfield MP and Shadow Minister, Toby Perkins, has praised the work of local construction apprentices during a visit to William Davis Homes’ Skylarks development.

Mr Perkins, Shadow Minister for Skills and Further Education, presented certificates to bricklayer Kieran Moulds and joiners Joshua Ford and Dominic Heardman.

The trio completed their apprenticeships with the house builder at the development in Dunston. All three live in Chesterfield, attended Chesterfield College and will continue to work at Skylarks in their chosen trades.

Mr Perkins was joined by Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and representatives from Chesterfield College. Both organisations worked with William Davis Homes to create these local apprenticeships opportunities.

Gary Long is the Apprenticeship Manager at William Davis Homes. He said: “It’s rewarding to see these three completing their apprenticeships after what has been a difficult couple of years for them. They have seen their training disrupted because of the pandemic and I’m proud of the resilience and commitment they have shown despite this challenge.

“We were also pleased to work with Chesterfield College and the Borough Council to offer our apprenticeships to young people in the Chesterfield area looking to build a career in construction. Over the years, a large part of our workforce has been built on apprenticeships and we aim to continue to create these opportunities.”

The MP for Chesterfield, Toby Perkins, said: “I am delighted to present these apprentices with their certificates and congratulate them on their hard work and achievement. I also want to thank William Davis Homes, Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield College for working together to create these positions and help these apprentices with their skills development and career progression. This cooperation by local authorities, providers and businesses is great to see.

“Recent research proves that our nation’s economic growth is being held back because too few young people are being attracted into the Construction industry. It is estimated that we need to train as many as 40,000 more apprentices every year to keep pace with demand and retirements from the industry. We need many more apprenticeship opportunities so I am delighted to herald the work of these young people today.

“Skills and retraining should be a vital part of our economic recovery and high-quality apprenticeships are central to this. These apprentices now have a foothold in the construction industry, which they can use to build a career in many different directions.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant added: “Developing the skills young people have is vital to ensuring they have the ability to access career opportunities created by investment in Chesterfield. Our local labour clauses help ensure that investment creates these local employment opportunities and prioritises local suppliers.

“The progress of the apprentices on this site is just one of many successful examples of this policy in action. We can help create the opportunities with investors and developers but it is the hard work of these apprentices that has ensured they achieve their qualifications and developed the skills they need to be successful. I want to congratulate them all on this fantastic achievement.”

This week marks National Apprenticeships Week in the UK, running between 7th-13th February. The week is being marked in Chesterfield with the town’s Employability and Skills Conference on Wednesday, 9th February at The Speedwell Rooms in Staveley.

The conference will focus on the future skills and green growth agenda and examine the current recruitment challenges that employers face. A selection of local skills providers based in Chesterfield & North Derbyshire will also be showcased in an exhibition at the event.

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