Made in Chesterfield

Robinson to create packaging for global designer Estee Lauder

Chesterfield manufacturer Robinson has been chosen to create luxury packaging for world-renowned designer, Estee Lauder’s ‘Aveda Parti Pris’ and ‘Mini and More’ boxes.

Robinson Paperbox Packaging has been commissioned to manufacture 2 promotional boxes for Estee Lauder’s premium haircare brand Aveda. Both boxes were made with a black lined board interior using a CMYK outer design which have a matt varnish and gloss UV varnish gloss finish.

Pierre-Alexandre Latimier – marketing assistant for Aveda EMEA commented: “We have used Robinson Paperbox Packaging for a number of projects previously. Their pricing and service levels are one of the main reasons we chose them for this project. With demanding lead times to work to it’s great to have a supplier that can deliver on time and in full.”

Jon Walker – new business development manager for Robinson Paperbox Packaging commented: “These boxes were manufactured on our new SATE rigid box line which has been recently installed. This machine is the most advanced on the market and produces exceptional quality boxes”.

Robinson were also recently awarded FSC ® certification for its Paperbox division.

FSC certification ensures that all products produced at Paperbox are sustainable. FSC-managed forests help provide clean air and water by restricting hazardous chemicals and following strict harvesting and forestry practices. Their work also helps ensure a diversity of animals, trees and plants as well as providing safe working conditions for everyone involved.

Robinson partners with some of the world’s most luxurious brands, from concept to commercialisation, creating widely recyclable packaging made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.

Chesterfield is home to several world-leading manufacturers, which benefit from the town’s proximity to the M1 motorway network and central location. Find out more about why Chesterfield is the perfect place to base your manufacturing business: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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

Robinson

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

Medical training and equipment provider moves to Chesterfield

A business which provides equipment and training to NHS Trusts, universities and colleges has opened a new facility in Chesterfield.

Sim & Skills will be based at the Peak Business Park on Foxwood Road in Sheepbridge, occupying the building which used to house local radio station, Peak FM.

The company be giving new life to the former studio, using the space to showcase its latest products with webinars and online demos.

The firm was founded during lockdown back in 2020, and since then has gone from strength-to-strength, becoming one of the fastest-growing distributors of Healthcare simulation and clinical skills trainers in the country.

The business is now a team of seven people, all of whom boast a wide range of healthcare simulation experience. It says the town’s central location and transport links make it an ideal place to grow. The new warehouse, office and training space have been created with the help of local businesses and suppliers.

Sim & Skills aims to provide the training equipment that doctors, nurses and health professionals need. Having the resource to practice with specialised equipment in a simulated hospital environment enhances skills and improves patient safety.

sim and skills team

The company has customers based across the country and beyond, and has already supported many local training providers, including Chesterfield College.

Managing Director Mark Cook said: “We’ve been searching for the ideal property for some time. When we saw Radio House in Chesterfield, we knew it was the one for us. The studio space is unusual but great for what we need. The building is a good size and will support us as we continue to grow.”

One visible change the company has made to the building is the installation of a defibrillator. As a medical training equipment provider, Sim & Skills believes it’s important to support the saving of lives. A spokesperson for the business commented: “We hope the defib is never needed, but if any of our Peak Business Park neighbours ever find themselves in an emergency situation, the defibrillator is there to be used and could save a life.”

Over the next year, Sim & Skills will continue to grow and aims to be the one-stop shop for medical training equipment. The business wants to offer customers the widest range of products and the best advice, so they can make an informed choice.

Sim & Skills also has plans to support the next generation of professionals as the business grows. Operations Director Chris Dinsdale said, “As we expand our warehouse and customer service team in Chesterfield, we’re really keen to help local young apprentices who have an interest in business and logistics.”

To find out more about what we do visit www.simandskills.co.uk, or via Twitter or Instagram.

Find out more about the benefits of locating your organisation in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

sim and skills

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

Chesterfield firms encouraged to take advantage of innovative D2N2 Skills Bootcamps

A series of Skills Bootcamps taking place across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are continuing to make a significant impact on improving lives and communities in the area.

The project, launched by D2N2 includes a wide range of Skills Bootcamps for learners to choose from. The range of subjects includes Electric/Hybrid Vehicle System Repair & Replacement, Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing, and many more.

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

Fully funded for learners, Skills Bootcamps are delivered in partnership with employers, further education training providers and universities across the East Midlands.

The training and support available to learners is aligned with local and national demand for skills, ensuring that people have direct line of sight to a job following completion of the course.

Skills Bootcamps help employers to develop their employees’ skills and fill their vacancies, and help individuals to find a new job or advance their skills to progress further in their career.

Find out more about Skills Bootcamps here.

In our region, Skills Bootcamps are making a real difference to people’s career prospects.

Georgie began her career development journey when she enrolled onto the Skills Bootcamp in Digital Marketing with DBC Training, after deciding that university wasn’t the right route for her. She chose the Skills Bootcamp in Digital Marketing, because it offered a clear pathway for her to gain new skills and career opportunities. As she progressed through the course, her enthusiasm grew.

Georgie-Headhsot-Skills bootcamps D2N2 LEP

Georgie progressed her career by taking part in D2N2’s Skills Bootcamps programme

She said: “I have really enjoyed the Bootcamp, as it has been a really good opportunity for me to learn more about marketing.”

On completing the course, Georgie was delighted to have gained sufficient skills and knowledge to successfully apply for a position as a Digital Marketing Apprentice at Pennine Healthcare, and started her apprenticeship in January 2023.

Fiona Baker, Head of People and Skills at D2N2 LEP, said: “Over the past three years we have seen more courses added to the offer in direct response to the needs of employers who are struggling to find people with the right skills. Skills Bootcamps are a great way to deliver the skills that employers are looking for to grow their business and take on a wider range of work.”

If you are interested in finding out more, contact the D2N2 Skills Bootcamps Project Officers at: skillsbootcamps@d2n2lep.org 

Skills-Bootcamps-credit D2N2 LEP

Skills bootcamps across our region are being delivered by D2N2 LEP

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

Property and construction businesses build talent pipelines through inspiring workshops and placements

In Chesterfield, £2billion of regeneration is underway. Additionally, a report by CITB, highlights by 2026 that 3,500 construction workers per year will be needed in the East Midlands Region. So, the need to attract more skilled people to the sector remains a key priority.

Recognising the range of exciting opportunities available across the sector and the need to develop a local talent pipeline; property and construction businesses from across Chesterfield joined forces to deliver Careers Made in Chesterfield.

This summer, 11 students from three Chesterfield secondary schools got to go behind the scenes at local firms to gain first-hand experience of careers in the sector.

Organised as part of the new Made in Chesterfield scheme, the work experience was the final part of a year-long pilot. The pilot included a series of workshops to showcase the range of careers available in the industry. In total, 20 professionals from 11 local businesses helped to deliver the programme to 110 year 10 students.

How did the students get on in their end-of-scheme placements? We spoke to some of the businesses and schools involved in showcasing careers in property and construction to the next cohort of future talent.

House designers in the making 

Wayne Barrett, Technical Director for Harron Homes North Midlands, tells us about the range of departments students got to experience:

“Harron endeavours to support those looking to develop their skills in the construction industry, whether that’s on-site or in the office. It’s been fantastic to support Chesterfield schools and give them an insight into working life within an office environment. Students experienced a range of roles from finance to quantity surveying, architecture, civil engineering, sales, and legal.”

Harron Homes property and construction

Harron Homes office

Nigel Kingham, teacher at Whittington Green School, explains how students went above and beyond:

“I got to visit three of our students on work experience at Harron Homes. Each of the students had with them examples of some of the design work they had completed during their placement. Max had been taught to use some design software and he had used this to produce his own plans for a newly designed house. He had really enjoyed his placement and was really enthused about house design.”

“Corey had drawn his own designs and kept an extensive diary of his time at Harron. Again, he was really positive about his experience. He even said it had got him thinking about a future career in something like architecture.”

Cory_Sketch 873x466 property and construction

Artwork by Cory, student at Whittington Green School

Max, student at Whittington Green School, added:

“I had a great time, and everyone was helpful with what I was trying to do!”

Building careers in property and construction

Students from Whittington Green and Parkside School got to experience all aspects of a local construction business. Jack Kidder, Business Manager at Henry Boot PLC, explained:

Henry Boot 873x466 property and construction

Henry Boot tour for students

“We were delighted to welcome two students from Whittington Green and Parkside Schools to join the business for a week. They learnt all about the real estate sector with a focus on construction and social value. They took part in a range of activities including estimating and education engagement, met a range of colleagues from across the business, and visited our Kangaroo Works scheme in the centre of Sheffield.

“Supporting work experience placements is a great way for us to inform local learners about the wide range of careers available in our business and industry as well as learn more about the expectations and aspirations of learners and create excitement about our sector.”

Liam, student at Parkside Community School, commented:

“I really enjoyed the placement at Henry Boot. I hadn’t really heard of them before, I didn’t know how big the company was. It was really interesting learning about the business and the things they do. But the best bit was going visit to the site at Sheffield!”

CGI and Virtual Reality

Oasis Studio 873x466 property and construction

Oasis Studio and Parkside student

Providing an insight into the digital process in the sector, Oasis Studio hosted a student from Parkside School. Tony Buck, Associate Director at Oasis Studio, said:

“We welcomed our placement student to the studio to gain hands-on experience as if he were a true member of the team.

“We exposed Seth to a variety of typical tasks carried out at Oasis Studio. Tasks included transforming 2D technical drawings into a 3D digital model of a building using the latest software and techniques. He used his 3D model to create various formats of visual content including photorealistic CGI’s, floorplans and a marketing brochure. Also, Seth contributed towards internal project meetings and got involved with development projects in Virtual Reality.

“Overall, this placement not only provided valuable experience for the student. It brought fresh perspectives and innovation to the business, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing young talent.”

Oasis Studio and Parkside student property and construction

Oasis Studio and Parkside student

Seth, student at Parkside Community School, added:

“I enjoyed my time at Oasis Studio. It was a really nice place, with a good atmosphere and the staff was great. I even had a go at designing buildings and adding renders using CAD (Computer Aided Design). It was a really good placement.”

Matthew Gould, Head of PE and Careers at Parkside Community School, commented on the Made in Chesterfield programme:

“It’s been a pleasure to be involved with the Careers Made in Chesterfield programme. Engagement from students in the workshops delivered at the school and work experience has been fantastic.

Three of our students have benefitted from a work placement thanks to local business. We’re grateful for the opportunity and hope to link more young talent with Chesterfield businesses.”

Find out more

Could your business benefit from encouraging young people to consider careers in property and construction?

To find out how your business could get involved with the next Careers Made in Chesterfield scheme, contact Emily Williams, Skills Delivery Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council on 01246 959717.

To consider how your business could offer an apprenticeship to support careers in property and construction visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/hiring-an-apprentice/.

Are you a business operating in the property, construction, manufacturing, and engineering industries? You could get involved with the Made in Chesterfield programme by opening your doors to local schools. Find out more at: www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/.

Careers Made in Chesterfield header image

Careers Made in Chesterfield

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

Robinson creates packaging for Biscuiteers

Chesterfield-based manufacturer Robinson, which specialises in value-added custom packaging, is creating a range of boxes for Biscuiteers.

Biscuiteers Baking Company is a British gifting retailer, specialising in both bespoke and corporate hand-iced biscuits, chocolates, and cakes.

Robinson were approached to supply rigid boxes with a stylish pristine white paper and detailed embossing. The boxes are contemporary looking with a solid black printed finish and gold foil blocking.

The letterbox designs come in both a solid lid version and a window option to highlight the beautifully hand decorated iced biscuits.

biscuiteers

Liliana Bonilla – purchasing manager at Biscuiteers commented: “Robinson Paperbox have helped us with their stockholding facility. This enables us to bulk order so we can achieve better pricing and call off the stock as required to meet our customers’ demand”.

Jon Walker – New business development manager at Robinson Paperbox Packaging commented:” Working with Biscuiteers on existing and new boxes has been very exciting. Our recently installed SATE machine offers both extremely high quality and good rates of efficiencies. The detailed foil blocking design needed to be applied accurately to the lid, and our new machine allows us to do this to an exceptionally high standard due to it having the lowest tolerances.”

Robinson were also recently awarded FSC ® certification (Licence code: FSC-C186000) for its Paperbox division.

FSC certification ensures that all products produced at Paperbox are sustainable. FSC-managed forests help provide clean air and water by restricting hazardous chemicals and following strict harvesting and forestry practices. Their work also helps ensure a diversity of animals, trees and plants as well as providing safe working conditions for everyone involved.

Robinson partners with some of the world’s most luxurious brands, from concept to commercialisation, creating widely recyclable packaging made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.

Find out more about why Chesterfield is an excellent location to base your manufacturing business: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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

Robinsons packaging

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

New skills action plan to boost career opportunities across Chesterfield

A new plan which is designed to boost skills and career opportunities for local people has been launched by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The new Skills Action Plan sets out a variety of partnership initiatives – working with local agencies and businesses – to help bridge the skills gap.

It includes new projects that are designed to provide training and support for local people to improve their skills and access a wider range of career opportunities. The plan also establishes a new Skills and Employment Partnership which aims to put employers at the heart of local skills development and ensure local people are developing the right skills to access new opportunities.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “This new plan and partnership aims to deliver our objective of creating a thriving borough where everyone can benefit from a growing local economy. We want to ensure that local people have the skills to progress in their careers or access new opportunities as they become available. Working closely with businesses is key to achieving our aims because we need to ensure that we are helping local people develop the skills that employers need.

“Our action plan introduces a range of new programmes and initiatives that will help people of all ages to boost their skills and develop new careers. We will be working with lots of delivery partners including education providers, employers, voluntary sector organisations and other councils, to ensure these programmes meet the needs of local people.”

The action plan sets out 12 areas of action across six themes including, Young People, Ambitions and Connections to Work, Increasing Higher Level Skills, Barriers to Employment and Widening the Workforce, Anchor Organisation Project Opportunities, Sector Specific and Future Skills, and Skills Brokerage and Partnership.

Within each theme there are a series of activities and commitments, these include the expansion of the Careers Made In Chesterfield programme, delivering a digital inclusion and work readiness programme, and the creation of a workforce upskilling programme focussed on green and digital careers. These are just some of the many actions that the council will take over the next five years to realise the ambitious plan.

Michael Timmins, a Director at AECOM and chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “To help the local economy continue to grow we need to work together to ensure people have the right skills and experience to access high quality jobs. I’m proud to chair the new partnership because it shows there is a strong commitment to listening to businesses and responding to their needs through skills development. I look forward to seeing the new programmes starting up and hope that lots of people will take these opportunities on.”

The Skills Action Plan will run from 2023 until 2027. It is just one of a range of projects and initiatives which is being funded through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives, until 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

More information about the Skills Action Plan and how people can access the support available will be shared on the council’s website.

Careers Made In Chesterfield - Parkside Community School pilot

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

How do I start a career in law or finance?

Are you a team player, good at working under pressure and have an eye for detail? If so, a career in law or finance might be for you.

From lots of career options and opportunities to specialise in a specific area, to a competitive salary – there are many benefits to working in law and finance. To understand more about the benefits and what it’s like working in these sectors, we spoke to individuals working at local businesses.

Why should I consider a career in Law?

1. I am gaining practical experience through training on-the-job as a solicitor

An SQE is a graduate apprenticeship route, allowing you to qualify by completing Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE). This means you can join a firm with a degree or approved equivalent. Katie Bottoms is an SQE apprentice at Family Law Group. She said:

Katie Bottoms, Family Law Group

Katie Bottoms, Family Law Group

“I wanted to start working in the legal sector to gain experience before thinking about what area of law I wanted to qualify in. I enjoyed family law and did not want to leave my job to do the LPC (Legal Practice Course) and qualify via a training contract. Therefore, it made sense for me to do the SQE alongside working as I could meet the work experience requirements whilst preparing for my exams.

Working in divorce and matrimonial finances, you have to have knowledge of a range of different financial products in order to advise clients fully. You have to have attention to detail, but you also have to be able to be reactive when urgent issues arise. It is rewarding to be able to help guide a client through the issues resulting from their separation.”

Search the career opportunities available at Family Law Group…

2. I started my career in law as a trainee solicitor

Lauren Smith is a Trainee Solicitor at Banner Jones Solicitors, currently completing her LPC (Legal Practice Course) at the University of Sheffield. She explained:

Lauren Smith, Banner Jones

Lauren Smith, Banner Jones

“Becoming a Solicitor has always been the career goal for me so after completing my LPC at the University of Sheffield, obtaining a Training Contract with a firm was the next step to achieve that goal. Fortunately, Banner Jones gave me a training contract and has encouraged me and helped with my career progression. I am now 9 months into a 2-year training period and loving it.

My advice to someone considering a career in financial and legal is to always ask lots of questions. There’s no such thing as a silly question and I have found that I have learnt so much by leaning on my peers and colleagues for advice and support. Don’t assume that you have to move away to get into a career that you will love…it could be right on your doorstep!”

Learn more careers at Banner Jones…

3. An apprenticeship allowed me to progress my career to a Paralegal

Amelia & Harriet, CMP Legal

Amelia & Harriet, CMP Legal

An apprenticeship gave Amelia Bacon a foot in the door and an opportunity to progress her career in law with a CILEX qualification (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives). Amelia is a Paralegal at CMP Legal. She said:

“I really enjoy the variation of work and also learning on the job. I started my career as an apprentice back in 2015 because I was able to earn money and gain experience within a law firm whilst studying.

My apprenticeship has led me to study with CILEX Law School and I hope to qualify as a Solicitor within the next few years. I would encourage young people to look into an apprenticeship. This is because University is not the only route available for you to achieve your career goals.”

4. I love I can earn a wage whilst training to be a Paralegal

Harriet Flowers is a Paralegal at CMP Legal and chose a Level 2 Business Administration apprenticeship as a route into the sector. She expressed:

“I became an apprentice as I wanted to gain knowledge whilst working in an office environment and also earning some money. I prefer practical learning so I felt this was the best career route for me.

“Apprenticeships are great if you enjoy a variety of work and learning on the job. I believe I gained lots of skills and knowledge from various colleagues when assisting them with tasks. I found the face-to-face communication with clients helped me gain confidence and the apprenticeship gave me a route into the law.”

Discover current vacancies at CMP Legal…

Why might a career in finance be for me?

1. I used an apprenticeship to grow my skill set in accounting

Sam Kelly SMH Group

Sam Kelly is currently training as an Accountant through an AAT apprenticeship scheme (Association of Accounting Technicians) at SMH Group. He said:

“Working in the financial and legal sector has been an enriching experience. It’s a fast-paced and dynamic industry that requires a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of numbers. The sector offers a wide range of opportunities, from working in finance departments of businesses to providing financial advice or even becoming a qualified accountant which is my end goal.

“I became an apprentice because I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to gain practical experience while studying for a professional qualification. I wanted a career in accounting, and an apprenticeship seemed like the perfect way to kickstart my journey.”

Browse career opportunities at SMH Group… 

2. I used an apprenticeship to grow my knowledge and skills in finance

Lewis Atkins is Apprentice Administrator at Mortgage 1st. He’s working towards a Level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration. Lewis explained:

Lewis Atkins, Mortgage 1st

Lewis Atkins, Mortgage 1st

“Becoming an apprentice felt like the best career path to grow my knowledge and skills in this field of work. So far, I have gained an outstanding amount of information to help me take different paths within the industry.

“I enjoy the variety of work my apprenticeship brings me. I can be focused on the business side of things as working in a mortgage broker, however, then being able to switch it up and focus on the admin work my role brings me!”

Explore apprenticeship vacancies and other roles at Mortgage 1st… 

Ready to start your career?

Apprentice Town - Find Your Apprenticeship - Social Media Landscape2

Apprenticeships are available at all different levels, across many different roles and sectors. This makes apprenticeships suitable for everyone. Whether you’re wanting to start your career, looking for a change of career or upskilling your current job, an apprenticeship may be the right path for you.

Browse current apprenticeship vacancies in Chesterfield here…

Maybe a traineeship or another training route is more suitable for you? Make sure to research what training local legal and financial businesses have to offer.

Find a helpful guide to careers in law here…

Learn more about career options in finance here…

Whatever pathway you choose, Chesterfield is a fantastic base for your career.

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

“Ensuring we have opportunities for our young people will make Chesterfield a more attractive place to live, work, and invest”

Chesterfield is currently undergoing a period of major regeneration, and with this change comes opportunity.

New developments in the town, such as Chesterfield Waterside, Markham Vale and the Hartington sites in Staveley are really coming to life now – thanks to councils and businesses working together closely.

Thousands of new homes are currently being built across the borough, which will attract new families seeking an affordable and friendly place to live, with access to good schools and plenty of green spaces.

I was delighted to hear the news that Chesterfield was ranked recently as the second-best town in the UK to raise children. This is a testament to the work of several organisations across the area.

Furthermore, Chesterfield’s ambitious growth plans are creating exciting career options for our young people. A key sector of growth locally is property and construction. Did you know that in this sector alone, around 17,500 new recruits will be required across the East Midlands between 2023-2027?

As a town, we must keep encouraging our young people to consider careers which are offering secure, skilled, and well-paid employment. To that end, it is pleasing to hear that 12 work placements have been offered to students locally by business leaders from the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group. All credit to the innovative ‘Careers Made in Chesterfield’ project, in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Representatives from local firms inspired students by speaking about the wide range of roles available in the property sector, carrying out a series of workshops and face-to-face mentoring sessions with students based at Parkside Community School.

At the beginning of the scheme, only 20% of pupils said they would be interested in a role in property and construction. When asked again at the end of the project, that figure had doubled to 40%. This shows that a hands-on approach can really work in engaging our young people.

As a town, Chesterfield is used to rolling up its sleeves and tackling issues head-on, and this is another example of how our people are continuing to work hard in delivering the changes we all want to see.

Innovative projects, such as the new Construction Skills Hub being developed in Staveley will further boost jobs in the sector, training thousands of local people. It excites me to think that the next generation of builders, architects, surveyors, and designers will be trained in our area.

Ensuring we have opportunities for our young people will make Chesterfield a more attractive place to live, work, and invest. With investment comes jobs, and with jobs comes further growth and prosperity. This is why it is vital we continue to make our future generations aware of the breadth of opportunities available to them, right here on our doorstep.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Firms urged to inspire young people to explore careers in manufacturing, engineering, and construction

A campaign to inspire young people into manufacturing, engineering, and construction careers is set to return to Chesterfield this November.

Destination Chesterfield is calling upon local companies to get involved in the successful Made in Chesterfield scheme, which enables school pupils to get an up-close and personal look at what a career in these key sectors can offer.

The annual campaign, which will run during November and December 2023, is now in its ninth year. It aims to help reduce the skills gap in some of the town’s most valuable industries, to ensure local people and businesses can continue to thrive in the future.

Made in Chesterfield is organised by Destination Chesterfield, alongside Direct Education Business Partnership, and supported by Chesterfield College Group, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire North Careers Hub, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd and NatWest.

Through the project, thousands of young people have had the chance to explore the wide range of rewarding careers available in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) sectors. Since the campaign’s inception in 2014, more than 3,500 young people from schools have spent time in the area’s manufacturing, engineering, and construction businesses.

Headline sponsor of the project, Chesterfield College Group has also seen an increase in the number of students getting involved in STEM-related subjects since the launch of the campaign.

Julie Richards, CEO of Chesterfield College Group and Destination Chesterfield Board Member, commented: “Having supported Made in Chesterfield consistently over the past few years I’ve seen the real impact the initiative has for the next generation engineering and construction workforce.

“As we position ourselves as a reliable conduit between student and employer to enable the opportunities and inspiration for successful future careers, supporting this initiative is something we feel passionate about.

“With work on our new cutting-edge Engineering, Manufacturing and Science Centre due to commence this year and our involvement with hugely impactful programmes such as the Staveley Construction Skills Hub, Made in Chesterfield further solidifies our commitment to ensuring the young people we serve have access to the very best opportunities in their chosen engineering and/or construction career.”

Ivan Fomin, Director at MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield Board Member said: “There is no doubt that we are experiencing a skills gap in manufacturing, caused by an ageing workforce. Therefore, it has never been more important to generate the future pipeline of talent to ensure our local manufacturing and engineering firms can continue to grow.

“Being able to offer these tours and interact with young people on a face-to-face basis provides them with an invaluable insight into the exciting potential and scope for growth that a career in STEM can offer.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth commented: “Made in Chesterfield is a fantastic programme that create an opportunity for businesses to interact with young people and help them to make informed choices about their future.

“We’re proud to support this programme because helping young people find the right path for them guarantees that they can have a great career in our borough but it also helps employers ensure that the future workforce is developing the skills that they will need.

“Together this will help improve the quality of life for residents whilst also creating a thriving local economy with opportunities for everyone.”

Clare Talati, CEO of Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP) added: “DEBP are pleased to be able to continue supporting the Made in Chesterfield initiative; enabling space for employers and young people to come together.

“Made in Chesterfield provides meaningful experiences for learners to increase their awareness of local opportunities, and for employers to showcase their businesses and meet potential future employees”.

To find out more about how your business can get involved with Made in Chesterfield, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/ or contact Direct Education Business Partnership at madeinchesterfieldvisits@debp.org.

The Destination Chesterfield Partnership has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

Made in Chesterfield - Students visit Aztec Oils

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

Superior Wellness listed among UK’s fastest-growing firms for 2nd year running

Chesterfield’s Superior Wellness ranks 30th on the FEBE For Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneurs Growth 100: an annual list that reveals the UK’s fastest-growing privately owned businesses.

Businesses must have sales between £3m and £200m, trading for at least three years and have turned an operating profit in the latest financial year to make it into the top 100.

The Growth 100 celebrates British business at its best – highlighting founders that are driving their companies to deliver significant sales, revenue and profit.

Superior Wellness leads the market as the world’s fastest growing hot tub manufacturer, creating premium, high quality products focused on improving your health and well-being. This year marks the 2nd in succession that the company has been listed on the FEBE Growth 100 list.

The firm continues to innovate and has recently launched new brands Chill Tubs and Hekla Saunas, which are proving a popular addition to its portfolio of products.

The company’s Chill Tubs brand was recently showcased on ITV’s This Morning, with presenter Matthew Wright taking a plunge in the water, which was cooled to 8.3 degrees.

To be on the list businesses must be UK registered, independent and unquoted, meeting the following criteria:

  • Sales between £3m and £200m
  • Trading for at least three years
  • An operating profit in the latest financial year
  • Founder(s) must still be involved

The Growth 100 annual list shines a light on the finest and fastest-growing privately owned businesses in the country, where the founder or founders are still involved. The Growth 100 is run by FEBE, the club built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.

Rob Carlin, Managing Director, said: “We were so proud when we heard the news that Superior Wellness had made it onto Growth 100 list. We ranked 30th in Britain for the fastest-growing companies privately owned businesses.

“This is such an incredible achievement for us as a company and a real accolade to the team and their hard work.

“I would like to extend my thanks to all the Superior Wellness team and our partner network for making this possible.”

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.

superior wellness exterior

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Innovative careers scheme inspires Chesterfield’s next generation and aims to reduce skills gaps

A pioneering scheme, which is linking schools with leading property and construction firms in Chesterfield, is inspiring young people to pursue careers in the construction sector.

‘Careers Made in Chesterfield’ has resulted in fourteen quality placements being offered for talented young people to learn about the property and construction sector. This follows several businesses from the town’s property and construction sector participating in workshops at Parkside Community School, showcasing the range of rewarding careers available.

Providing face-to-face interaction with students proved very successful, with 40% of students who completed the programme expressing a high interest in working in the construction sector in the future – rising from just 20% when the scheme was originally conceived in September 2022.

The initiative was launched following a report by CITB, which outlines how an extra 225,000 workers are required in the UK’s property and construction sector by 2027, equating to roughly 3,500 per year in the East Midlands Region alone.

During the ‘Careers Made in Chesterfield’ programme, business leaders carried out an initial speed networking workshop with pupils, answering their questions and helping to open their eyes into the many different exciting roles associated with property and construction.

In the second workshop sessions, students were tasked with designing a new building within the Northern Gateway area of Chesterfield. Working in groups of five to design a community venue, each group was allocated an employer mentor from the property and construction sector to help develop the design.

The project is enabling students to gain vital work experience, but also showcases the breadth of skills needed to achieve Chesterfield’s ambitious growth and regeneration plans.

The innovative pilot has seen 20 professionals from 11 local businesses helping to deliver the programme to 110 Year 10 students at the school.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director at The Devonshire Group, and member of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group added: “One of the main issues being faced by the property and construction sector is that its workforce is getting older.

“It is vital to begin bringing in the next generation, and Careers Made in Chesterfield is one of many initiatives which will help to secure the future pipeline of talent that our businesses rely on.

“It is a very exciting time to be getting into the sector, and with schemes such as this, our young people will one day contribute towards delivering the physical, social, and green infrastructure that Chesterfield needs to continue its sustainable growth.”

Andrew Byrne, The Devonshire Group

Andrew Byrne, The Devonshire Group

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth commented: “Working with local businesses to deliver the Careers Made in Chesterfield pilot demonstrates how direct engagement with students can spark their interest in different career paths.

“Helping young people learn more about the skills they need and the options available to them is key to ensuring that we can provide secure high quality jobs in Chesterfield and that they can plan for a great future in our borough.”

Ben Riggott, Head Teacher at Parkside School said: “The Careers Made in Chesterfield pilot represented a step change in creating sustained connections between our Year 10 students and some great local companies.

“This model is fantastic for several reasons.  Perhaps most importantly, students build relationships with employers across the programme, which in turn enhances their confidence and the likely outcomes of work experience.

One of the firms to be welcoming a student on placement in July is Oasis Studio, which provides virtual reality and augmented reality services to property and construction businesses.

Tony Buck, Associate Director at Oasis Studio commented: “We jumped at the chance to get involved in the pilot scheme. The construction industry is continually evolving, adopting new technologies and construction methods.

“To stay competitive, I believe it’s crucial we have a skilled workforce that can embrace these advancements. I really enjoyed demonstrating the range of opportunities in the sector today.  We utilised our VR headsets during the workshop to offer the students a virtual site visit and help them understand the brief. I was genuinely impressed by the student’s level of maturity and engagement throughout the workshops, and their ideation of concepts was fantastic.”

Further addressing the increasing construction skills shortage within Chesterfield, the Construction Skills Hub in Mastin Moor will welcome learners from autumn this year.

Funded through the Staveley Town Deal, the skills hub will provide a practical platform for construction training, careers activity and work experience on a live construction site.

Initially the Skills Hub will provide training in site and bench joinery, brickwork, ground works and electrical installation but in time the offer will expand to include training in retrofit and green technologies. It will be open to school leavers and other residents seeking to train or retrain.

The Hub will provide training, careers insights, and work experience for more than 5,000 learners over 10 years.

Businesses and schools that wish to register their interest in the Careers Made in Chesterfield initiative, are urged to contact Emily Williams, Skills Delivery Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council on 01246 959717.

The Destination Chesterfield Partnership has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

Careers Made in Chesterfield header image

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