Made in Chesterfield

Workpays Founder Helen Richardson Becomes an MBE

Helen Richardson, Founder of Workpays, has been awarded with an MBE for Service to Young People During the Pandemic, and was presented with her award at Windsor Castle last month.

Throughout the pandemic, Workpays remained open throughout the pandemic going above and beyond to offer extended pastoral services to our participants, in addition to skills and employability delivery. After creating an online learning platform from scratch in less than a month, we provided a laptop and WiFi dongles to those participants without the equipment to access online learning and virtual classes, these were hand delivered to their homes.

Anne Wright, Managing Director of Workpays said, “We are delighted to congratulate Helen for being awarded an MBE, it is an exceptional accolade that highlights the valuable work undertaken at Workpays during the pandemic. I’m extremely proud that the Workpays family became fully united and focused to continue our service and offer excellent support to our young people at a extraordinarily challenging time for them.”

Alex Glasner, Managing Director, said, “This is a huge accolade for Helen and Workpays and testament to the work our team put in day in day out. Workpays will always put our learners first no matter what the circumstances.”

As a skills provider in Chesterfield, Workpays helps people to access the skills & training needed to gain employment.

The company provides Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge to parents, teachers & students and assists employers to develop their workforce through work-based learning and apprenticeships.

Workpays has offices in Derby, Coventry, Chesterfield, Kettering, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Hinckley, Redditch, Corby & Market Harborough.

Find out more about the wide range of apprenticeships available in Chesterfield, along with the Made In Chesterfield scheme, which enables school pupils to gain first-hand experience of construction, manufacturing and engineering by taking part in site visits at local businesses.

Workpays supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Workpays Directors – Helen Richardson pictured centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Workpays’ Big Assembly Wins at the 2022 Annual Apprenticeship Conference Awards

Big Assembly, a project delivered by Workpays in association with its partners, has won the FE WEEK AELP Annual Apprenticeship Conference 2022 Award for Promoting Apprenticeships ‘Campaign of the Year’ at the award ceremony in Birmingham.

The annual event returned in 2022, with the broadcast informing thousands of young people about the benefits of apprenticeships. The live event enables schools, parents, students and employers to receive  information and advice about possible next steps in their careers.

For the 2022 event, The Big Assembly teamed up with companies such as Pret A Manger, Bakkavor, Disability Rights UK, the Co-operative Bank & Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.

Alex Glasner, Managing Director at Workpays said: “It’s a real honour to be receive the Promoting Apprenticeship Campaign of the Year Award. Our entire team works hard throughout the year to provide young people with information and real stories about incredible apprenticeships.

“I’m proud that the work we are doing has been recognised with a national award. We will always keep young people and their careers at the centre of what we do.”

Twenty-four awards winners were recognised at the awards including Workpays, revealed at the ceremony in Birmingham as part of the two day conference which is held annually.

There are many great opportunities to become an apprentice across Chesterfield, with more than 2,500 people currently taking part in an apprenticeship in the town.

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.

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

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

3 reasons to undertake an apprenticeship in Financial and Professional Services

Financial and professional services is the largest business sector in Chesterfield. The sector has experienced a huge growth in the past five years, with the number of local businesses increasing to more than 835. Locally, there are around 8,250 jobs in the sector including apprenticeships.

To help you gain a better understanding of what a career in the sector can be like, we spoke to apprentices from across the Chesterfield area.

1. Apprenticeships offer a pathway into the sector

Most careers in this sector require you to have relevant training and qualifications, which makes apprenticeships a fantastic route into the sector.

Andrew McDaid, Partner at Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, said: “For many years, we have offered apprenticeships, not as a separate route in but as one of several ‘normal’ pathways to become a Chartered Accountant (ACA), Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA), Accounting Technician (AAT) or Taxation Technician (ATT). We want and expect an apprenticeship to become a fully desirable pathway for young people, looking for a career in the financial sector.”

Joe Malone, Level 7 ACA apprentice at Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, discovered an apprenticeship was the best route to become an ACA Chartered Accountant.

He explained: “The ability to learn through work and real-life scenarios is important – that’s one of the main things that appealed to me about an apprenticeship. Although you have the responsibility of performing your role, a lot of importance is also placed on your learning and study time. It’s a great balance.”

2. Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to gain first-hand insight and real life understanding of the job

Jamila Ibrahim Hall, Commercial Finance Admin Assistant at Sutton McGrath Hartley (SMH), shared her experience of being an apprentice in the sector:

“Business and finance is a very fast-moving area of the sector where you can learn a lot from experts who know the ins and outs of the sector as well as how it works. My apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to gain a first-hand insight and a real life understanding of the job rather than a classroom simulation.

In my day to day whilst in work I answer client emails and calls, attend meetings, and do basic admin tasks. My confidence skills have grown massively after meeting so many different people in and out of the business and making new friends. There are a lot of opportunities for me to progress and excel within SMH and I can see myself working my way up in the future.”

Millie and Jamila apprentices

Millie Stevenson, Principle Finance Admin Assistant at Sutton McGrath Hartley, shared the benefits of choosing the apprenticeship route:

“There are lots of different levels of apprenticeship and ones that suit school leavers at 16, people finishing college, university graduates and right through to people who have been in a job for many years.  A huge bonus to choosing an apprenticeship is that you’re likely to get offered a full-time placement after finishing your apprenticeship.

My apprenticeship is a great way to really understand the industry I work in and a massive help to find a career that I enjoy, I get to meet different people and make new friends. I have access to great support whilst training as I’m working alongside experienced people in my workplace and from specialist trainers from my apprenticeship training provider who are there to help me gain the skills and knowledge I need to succeed.”

3. Skills in financial and professional services can be applied to careers in lots of different sectors

The beauty of working in financial and professional services is you can apply your skills to so many different sectors, meaning you can choose to engage in an area of work you find most exciting.

Lewis Atkins Mortgage 1st

Lewis Atkins, Mortgage Administrator at Mortgage 1st, who is working towards his Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, demonstrates this:

“Once I have gained my level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, I still want to be working for Mortgage 1st but in a different department. The Protection side of mortgages has recently caught my eye. After some experience in this I would then like to get my CEMAP Qualification, to then become an adviser.

There are many benefits whilst having an apprenticeship, they help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your chosen industry. Getting into employment earlier means there’s lots of potential for you to progress in your career quickly. You can also begin to earn a good salary much earlier on in your life.”

Apprentice Lewis at Mortgage 1st

Lisa Stones, Operations Director at Mortgage 1st said:

“Lewis has been part of our team now for over a year and we couldn’t be prouder of his achievements. He’s busy working though his apprenticeship course whilst his knowledge and confidence is growing by the day in his role as a Mortgage Administrator.

Having an apprentice as part of our team at all times is vital for both, us as a business and the apprentice themselves. We are providing opportunities to young people to learn, develop and progress into lifelong careers in our sector. They bring youth, energy, and a different generational outlook to the team so it’s an absolute win win for everyone!”

Search the apprenticeship vacancies available in Chesterfield and learn more from current apprentices here.

Posted in Apprentice Town, Blog, Made in Chesterfield

Staveley Town Deal funding confirmed

Over £25m worth of projects which will benefit Staveley residents for generations to come have been given the official go ahead, after Government approved the package of all eleven projects within the Staveley Town Deal Programme.

It is a significant milestone for the range of projects that will receive funding through the Towns Fund, which are being delivered by a variety of organisations including Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Staveley Town Council, Barrow Hill Community Trust, Chesterfield Canal Trust, Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club and Tawnywood Ltd.

Together the projects offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve the quality of life for residents, create new employment opportunities with higher level skills, ensure it is a place where everyone can be proud to live and guarantee that the town and its residents have a bright future ahead – supporting Staveley as a place to start, stay and grow.

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board and Managing Director of Staveley based MSE Hiller, said: “The projects that are being funded through the Town Deal are designed to complement one another and have been developed in response to the challenges and opportunities in Staveley. The project sponsors have worked hard to get to this point but we are now moving into delivering these projects and ensuring that they can benefit everyone in Staveley.”

Chesterfield Borough Council is the accountable programme lead but will also be delivering three projects using Town Deal funding.

A round up of the key projects being led by each partner is included below.

Chesterfield Borough Council

The Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe) is a rail innovation and training centre located in Barrow Hill. It is being developed by the Council in partnership with Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield College, the University of Derby, Newcastle University and Talgo.

Staveley 21 aims to regenerate and revitalise Staveley town centre. It is based around the masterplan developed last year and includes Wi-Fi connectivity and environmental improvements to ensure the town centre is attractive, with a good retail and leisure offering that residents can enjoy.

The final project delivered by Chesterfield Borough Council is the Construction Skills Hub which is a movable construction training centre initially based on a live construction site in Mastin Moor. It is being developed with a training provider and construction sector businesses to ensure people can develop the skills they need for a successful career and be ready to embrace future modern and sustainable construction methods.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Town Deal Board said: “The Town Deal represents a once in lifetime opportunity for Staveley and its residents. Each project is fantastic in its own right, but together they are truly transformative for the entire area. We want everyone to benefit from this investment and to understand how each of these projects can enhance Staveley and the local community.”

champions event

Derbyshire County Council

Staveley Waterside is the first phase of a mixed-use development centred around the Staveley Canal Basin. This will include the creation of an access road, pontoons to create moorings, a café and flexible office and workshop space for small businesses.

Wheels to Work is focussed on ensuring everyone can access employment and training opportunities by providing bicycles and e-scooters for those who don’t have access to a private vehicle and have limited transport options.  There will also be real time passenger information and EV charge points.

Derbyshire County Council is also leading on the reinstatement of Staveley Railway Station but this is subject to confirmation of funding from the Government to restore the Barrow Hill Line. A decision on this is expected in the near future.

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration and Member of the Town Deal Board, said: “This is a great opportunity to work together to benefit Staveley and the wider community.

“We’re looking forward to building on the success of our flagship regeneration site Markham Vale to open up the canal basin as a base for business and a visitor attraction.

“And we’re pleased to be widening out our Wheels to Work scheme to improve employment and training opportunities in the area as well as continuing to press the case for a train station in the town which will broaden opportunities for commuting for work and connectivity for business further still.”

Works road and canal basin

Staveley Town Council

Staveley Town Council is using the funding it has secured to extend the historic Staveley Hall and create a modern events space with an extension to the café and the creation of two flexible events spaces that can be used for informal community events and also business led events.

Councillor Paul Mann, Leader of Staveley Town Council, said: We are very excited about the proposed project to build a new conference and events centre at Staveley Hall. I believe that it fits well with the wider strategic plans for developing Staveley and it will provide a modern, energy efficient facility for the community and businesses that will add economic value and jobs to the Staveley area.”

Chesterfield events

Barrow Hill Community Trust

Barrow Hill Community Trust is the community development charity for the village of Barrow Hill and surrounding neighbourhoods. It is leading on the refurbishment of Barrow Hill Memorial Hall to create a modern community hub where local residents can access support services and socialise together.

Simon Redding, Chair of Trustees said: “The community trust and people of Barrow Hill are overjoyed that we will finally have the services which other communities take for granted.

The Memorial Hall will be a community hub for all, with the facilities which local people have asked for – all thanks to the Town Deal.”

Chesterfield Canal Trust

Chesterfield Canal Trust is restoring the Chesterfield Canal to the borough boundary. Works include the reconstruction of 850m of canal channel, a new aqueduct over the river Doe Lea, bridges, a new lock and 3km of footpath improvements along the towpath and connecting routes to multiuser trails, it complements other works the Trust is undertaking in Renishaw.

Peter Hardy, Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, said: “Our scheme will bring enormous benefits to the residents of Staveley and surrounding areas with the extension of the canal from Staveley Waterside almost to the river Doe Lea. Together with the other projects awarded money from the Towns Fund, it will enhance the environment, health and wellbeing of all who live in the area.

“We are indebted to the local company Suon Ltd. which has donated the clay to be used in this project; without this generosity the scheme would not have been possible.

“This project is the catalyst for the Chesterfield Canal Trust to complete the restoration of the canal.”

Hartington Industrial Park

Hartington Industrial Park is a 20-hectare site that has outline planning permission for industrial and warehouse development that will create more local jobs near to the successful Markham Vale site. The funding will support the development of infrastructure and enabling works to bring forward the development.

Simon White, Property Director at Tawnywood Ltd, said: “At Hartington Industrial Park we are delighted that the Town Deal has given us the opportunity to move this site from a relatively low grade secondary industrial location to one able to offer new businesses excellent access and infrastructure and so become an attractive location to companies seeking high quality modern manufacturing and warehouse accommodation providing numerous jobs across a wide range of opportunities. The proposal is to emulate the success of Markham Vale on a smaller scale and create quality buildings attracting a wide range of employment types boosting the scale and quality of the local environment and job offers in Staveley itself.”

Hartington Industrial Park

Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club

Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club is using funding to create an academy where young people earn BTECs or similar qualifications in sport. It includes the creation of two classrooms above the club house and will also use some funding to improve the car park near to the Chantry Playing Fields.

Terry Damms, Chairman of Staveley MWFC, said: “I’m really excited by the prospect of further facilities for the Staveley community and creating closer links for 16 to18-year-olds to develop their skills and complete their education. The purpose-built education facility will not only support local education it can also be used by other bodies like the Derbyshire FA to provide training and courses. Together with the Town Deal Accelerator Funding, the club will receive around £0.5 million of investment through the town deal and this supports funding provided through Viridor credits.

“The youngsters of Staveley have the best possible opportunities. We would like to thank the Staveley Town Deal Board for their commitment to us and support through the funding. The Trojans are here to serve the community and this is yet another clear example of us understanding and delivering the ethos required to suit this wide range of people within the Staveley community.”

You can find out more about the Town Deal and keep up to date with the latest developments here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/staveley-town-deal

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield school pupils to benefit from free VR roadshow

Education supplier Seymour & Lerhn, part of Chesterfield’s Oasis Studio group are launching a VR Roadshow, giving primary schools in Chesterfield the chance to take their pupils on two weeks of amazing educational adventures.

Successful schools will receive a bundle of 5 VR headsets complete with recycled smartphones and free access to the Seymour & Lerhn Immersive Learning platform.

With this, teachers can take KS1 and KS2 pupils on a journey of discovery whether it’s wandering through the busy streets of New York, or stepping back in time to trudge through the muddy WW1 Trenches.

The VR kits will be delivered to schools to use for two weeks before being collected and sanitised for the next cohort.

Charlie Power, ‘Head Honcho’ at Seymour & Lerhn says: “At Seymour & Lerhn we challenge ourselves to make learning as interactive as possible without compromising on accessibility. A VR headset is just one of many ways to explore – but often gets the biggest reaction from children!”

Seymour & Lerhn offers immersive educational experiences for primary schools, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive games and activities. The activities are accessible on any device, from laptops to iPads to interactive whiteboards.

Whilst the immersive content can be viewed on any existing school hardware, Seymour & Lerhn have joined forces with sister company, EyeSiteView, to give old technology a new lease of life.

The VR headsets were previously used by housing developers to market new homes and have been kindly gifted by EyeSiteView to make the VR Roadshow possible.

“We’re really pleased to be able to give schools in the local area the chance to explore VR in a sustainable way,” says Tony Buck, Associate Director at EyeSiteView.

“Approximately 45 million tonnes of tech is thrown away each year which is really shocking. We’re excited that the old VR headsets will get a new lease of life and give our region’s children some truly memorable lessons!”

Schools will be able to choose from a wide range of topics and subjects with teachers able to share the VR content with pupils at the click of a button.

“Content is designed to work on almost any device and comes with accessibility tools built in. It couldn’t be easier for schools to get started with immersive learning whether you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a VR kit or not!” Charlie adds.

The roadshow will run from the 1st April to the 22nd July 2022 and is open to any educational establishment within the region.

Slots are extremely limited and are offered on a first come first served basis.

To apply, head to https://forms.office.com/r/7UTS309qTs and fill in the online form.

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.

 

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Recruitment Event returns to Chesterfield Market

People searching for work in Northern Derbyshire are being invited to a recruitment event, where they can meet employers and find out more about local job vacancies and training schemes that lead to employment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

There will be lots of opportunities available on the day from a range of sectors including, hospitality, social care, engineering, logistics, transport and many more.

As well as job opportunities there will also be several apprenticeship providers who are currently recruiting for new apprentices. An apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to earn while you learn and can help people at any stage in life.

Derbyshire Careers Service will also be attending the event to promote training courses but also advise job seekers on how they can get support with their CV and interview techniques.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Print Digital Media and GBS Apprenticeships support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

Step into the world of Creative, Digital and Technology

As a society we are becoming increasingly more reliant on creative and digital technology. The sector is rapidly growing and we are seeing career opportunities becoming widely available to those looking to step into the world of creative, digital and technology.

In fact, the number of businesses engaging with this type of employment has increased by 21% over the last five years in Chesterfield.

To explore the career opportunities and benefits of working in the sector, we talked to current apprentices from Chesterfield based businesses.

Marketing

Jasmine Mowbray, is a Level 4 Marketing Executive at Print Digital Media.

Jasmine Mowbray 873x466

Jasmine explains why she chose to pursue a career in marketing: “I chose to delve into the marketing sector as this was the subject that I believed aligned best with my own skillset and personal interests. I’ve always been a creative yet business minded person, and marketing for me was the perfect mixture of the two!”

She chose to take the apprenticeship route with local training provider, GBS Apprenticeships, to get into the sector: “After leaving college, I had no idea where to start but I knew that I wanted to get straight into the workplace, whilst widening my knowledge and continue with my education. This is exactly what my apprenticeship has done for me, and I am able to earn, whilst I learn plus gain valuable work experience in the process.”

Jasmine added: “My plans for the future are to progress further into the marketing sector, however by then I will have gained a whole lot of transferable skills, so who knows where life will take me.”

Search for a marketing role like Jasmine’s by using our apprenticeship search tool here

Brandon Howard, Level 4 Marketing Executive at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre (MAPP)

First learning about apprenticeships at Chesterfield College in 2014, it wasn’t until recently when Brandon decided an apprenticeship in marketing was right for him.

Previously working in a bank, before becoming self-employed creating videos and other social media content, he wanted to expand on the knowledge he’d gained during his Level 3 Marketing course and apply it in a more practical environment.

He explained: “Learning about things in a classroom doesn’t compare to applying the knowledge you gain and putting it to use in a real environment. The apprenticeship is a nice mixture between learning and working and I feel like I’m helping the company, as well as my own career progression, move forward.”

Looking to the future, Brandon would like to progress in the business and, further down the line, start his own business.

Read more on Brandon’s story and his advice to becoming an apprentice here.

Information Technology and Computing

Charlie Ballington, Level 3 Infrastructure Technician at Addooco IT

Charlie Addooco

Charlie described the benefits of apprenticeships and how he used his apprenticeship as a platform to get into the sector: “I’ve always been interested in IT and Computing, so having studied both subjects at GCSE and A-Level it seemed like an absolute no-brainer to jump into an apprenticeship in the industry. One of the best bits is that my workload is so varied, so no two days are ever the same.”

He added: “I think choosing an apprenticeship is an easy and convenient path to get stuck into the sector straight away, especially in a practical industry such as IT or Engineering. I’m working along-side industry professionals every day and I have gained so much working experience that students in other forms of education simply don’t have.”

“A huge bonus to choosing an apprenticeship is that you’re likely to get offered a full-time placement after finishing your apprenticeship. I see myself continuing to work at Addooco through the higher-level apprenticeships.”

Like Jasmine, Charlie is also learning with local training provider, GBS Apprenticeships. You can find out more about Chesterfield’s training providers here.

Overall a career in creative, digital and technology can be exciting as the skills developed can be applied across almost all sectors, allowing the opportunity for you to engage with an area of work you find most interesting.

Explore the My Future careers platform to learn about the wide variety of career roles available in the sector.

Posted in Apprentice Town, Blog, Made in ChesterfieldTagged in ,

Junction Arts intern progresses into apprentice role

Chesterfield-based community organisation Junction Arts is continuing it’s growth, by promoting intern Martha Bramwell into a full-time Projects Apprentice role.

Martha is now aiming to become a full-time projects assistant with Junction Arts, following the completion of her apprenticeship.

Originally starting with Junction Arts back in December 2020, Martha was looking to gain hands on experience within community arts to support her Foundation Art Course at Chesterfield College.

However, Hannah Bowdler, Relationship Fundraiser at Junction Arts explained how much of an impact the young intern made since joining the organisation: “Martha has made a huge impact on the charity. During her time with us, she has worked with each of our team members getting a wider understanding of the running of a community arts charity. With each person, she has shared her enthusiasm and energy making Junction Arts a truly positive place to work.

“Her direct impact on the charity includes, redesigning our new office layout in West Studios, after we downsized. It is now a welcoming and practical workspace for us to use as a hub for all our projects and activities.

“Project wise, Martha has been a vital deputy during projects including the Chesterfield Lantern Parade. Supporting a project coordinator to run a busy and complicated celebration event whilst learning what’s needed to make a large scale project successful.”

Hannah added that she was delighted to see the continued growth of the charity: “It’s a very exciting time for the charity, whilst in our 45th year Martha has enabled Junctions Arts to take the next steps to increase our capacity. Through her supportive role within the charity and with this soon to increase, the types of projects and number of communities we can work with and support has really increased in the years leading out of the pandemic.”

Martha expressed her delight at being taken on in a permanent capacity: “I am absolutely ecstatic to be offered a permanent role with Junction Arts. I can honestly say receiving the Job offer from our Managing Director, Paul, was one of the happiest moments in my life. As I feel I have worked really hard and this area is something I am really passionate about and I’m so excited for my future with Junction arts.

“Every day I’m surrounded by a supportive team who have individually worked with me trying to give me the best experience possible over the last 15 months.

“I love having roles in events and being with local communities. In December, I played a part in creating Chesterfield’s first lantern parade. I had an overwhelming sense of pride seeing all the lanterns made by school children and members of the community walk together from Queen’s Park into the town centre and will treasure this memory forever. After a difficult couple of years, I’ve never seen so many smiling faces in one place. At 19 years old, I feel so grateful that my days are filled with creativity, exciting projects and great people.

“I love the community we have here in Chesterfield and I think that’s what makes chesterfield such a great place to live, work and enjoy! I am very excited to see Chesterfield in the future and how it will develop into a town with creativity in every corner and street.”

Hannah added that the charity is now looking to further support young talent in the region by taking on a new intern: “Within the next month, we will start the process for advertising for a 1 year Internship from July 2022. It is currently an unpaid role of up to 15 hours a week, depending on the applicates availability. Applicants are to be 18yrs +.

“The Intern is positioned at the centre of the charity, with opportunities to work with all the team, support on projects and events, access to training and involved in the planning of projects. This is an entry level role into the creative/community arts/charity sector.

“We are actively looking for funding to make this a 2 day paid for position, as an investment into young people and new careers within the area.

“As a busy charity, we are always looking for volunteers on our events and projects to help them run smoothly and have a positive impact on those to attend. More details of volunteering with Junction Arts can be found here: https://junctionarts.org/volunteer/”

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

Junction Arts at the Tapton Lock Festival

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Support for Chesterfield residents looking for work and learning opportunities

Local people are being encouraged to access support and advice from Derbyshire Careers Service as part of National Careers Week, taking place from today (Monday, 7th March 2022)

The team from Derbyshire County Council is encouraging residents to attend a drop-in session or register their interest in attending an online workshop.

There are weekly drop-in sessions with highly qualified local career coaches across the county and regular online workshops to support with interview skills, CV and searching for jobs, as well as specific support for over 50’s.

The sessions are free and open to anyone over the age of 19 and 18-year-olds who are not currently in education, employment, or training. Support is available year-round for anyone unable to attend during National Careers Week.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Alex Dale, said: “Ensuring local people have access to the support and advice they need to be successful in the workplace is really important to the Council.

“The Derbyshire Careers Service is a great resource for residents looking for advice on changing their career, preparing for interviews, or searching for jobs.

“I would encourage people to attend one of the workshops or drop-in sessions during National Careers Week or to reach out to the team if you need support in the future.”

For more information on virtual workshops, please visit – Careers workshops – Derbyshire County Council and for information on regular drop-in sessions and details about local career coaches visit – Careers service – Derbyshire County Council.

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.

Businesses throughout North Derbyshire employ a large number of apprentices and there are currently hundreds of vacancies available in and around Chesterfield. Find out more: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/

ApprenticeTown

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

“There has never been more opportunity for young people to build a career in hospitality in Chesterfield.”

Destination Chesterfield Chair, Peter Swallow has given his thoughts about exciting developments taking place across Chesterfield as we enter March.

Spring is in the air. I for one cannot wait for the longer, warmer days and, rather than staying indoors. I, like many of you, am starting to think about venturing out again in the evening.

Whilst some of us may have been hibernating during the winter months, it is pleasing to see that the hospitality sector in Chesterfield has not been. Despite the challenges that the pandemic has thrown at it, new bars and restaurants have opened in the last six months, and more are opening soon.

Most recently Vicar Lane Shopping Centre welcomed Pizza Pi and before that Albert’s Jüngerer Bruder opened in Rykneld Square in November last year. The town centre will also shortly welcome The Dirty Habit on Holywell Street, taking over the unit that once was the Rising Sun. This new bar will also have outdoor space.

The pandemic has helped us all appreciate the outdoors, and it is great to see more businesses using their outdoor space to draw people to their venue. It benefits not only their business but also the high streets and town centre too.

With the transformation of the former Co-op on Elder Way into units for bars and restaurants, which also has fantastic outdoor dining space, it is fair to say that Chesterfield town centre’s night-time economy is set to get livelier in 2022.

As well as boosting Chesterfield’s night-time economy, giving local people and visitors more choice, these businesses are also creating jobs and opportunity. Albert’s Jüngerer Bruder has created 20 jobs alone.

Outside the town centre, Chesterfield’s hospitality scene is thriving. The Batch House at The Glass Yard is shortly to open and will offer everything from Indian street food to craft beer. While Chesterfield’s four-star hotel, Peak Edge, has recently been awarded the best wedding venue in Derbyshire.

With more than 16,000 students in North Derbyshire set to gain their GCSE and A level qualifications in the next five years, there has never been more opportunity for young people to build a career in hospitality in Chesterfield.

It is not just the hospitality sector which offers opportunity to young people.  At the recent Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference it was revealed that that green and digital skills are most in demand from employers. This highlights the need for businesses and education and training providers to work together to ensure that young people are equipped with the skills needed to get good jobs.

Looking to the immediate digital skills needed to support the local economy, however, the Chesterfield Digital High Street campaign has been instrumental in enabling retail, hospitality and leisure businesses across the town to get online and trade digitally alongside their high street presence.

Ensuring young people know about the opportunities available to them now and in the future cannot just be the responsibility of businesses and skills and education providers. The proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ comes to mind. It highlights the importance of community and what we can all do to support young people leaving education this year and beyond.

From offering work experience to simply telling young people about your job, we can all help them take their first step onto the career ladder and build their future right here in Chesterfield, ensuring the local economy thrives now and for future generations.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

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