Tag: teesside

Tees Valley Supply Chain Briefed On Rail Project Contract Opportunities

By on 21st February 2016in Local Biz

Representatives from 200 supply chain companies in Tees Valley have been given the inside track on contract opportunities that will be generated by two of the UK’s most significant rail projects…

They attended an executive briefing, where presentations were given by key executives connected with the high speed rail project, HS2 and Crossrail, the 100 kilometre railway line under construction in London and surrounding areas.

The breakfast event was hosted by Tees Valley Unlimited in partnership with Teesside Engineering Network (TEN).

The keynote speakers comprised:

  • Joanna Sloane, HS2 Supply Chain Manager, who presented a project overview including the contract opportunities, tendering timetables, and how potential suppliers can identify business opportunities.
  • Mark Lomas, HS2 Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) outlined its approach to EDI and what this means for suppliers.
  • Simon Pain, Crossrail Principal Programme Supply Chain Manager, covered the many remaining opportunities that will be generated by the mechanical, electrical and station fit-out elements. Crossrail’s main contractors need to recruit a range of specialists to enable the creation of a functional railway ready for Crossrail’s opening from 2017.

Delegates also were able to speak directly to the speakers during a Q&A session.

Joanna Sloane said: “We want to engage as many businesses as possible from across the UK to put them in the best position possible to compete for the opportunities offered by HS2 as part of a fair, transparent and open procurement process.”

She added: “The high volume of sign-ups to this event shows that businesses are taking the right approach towards the procurement opportunities of HS2.

Simon Pain said: “It has always been important for Crossrail to engage with potential supply chain members, especially SMEs, in order to highlight the opportunities that are available in huge programmes like Crossrail. Working with bodies like Tees Valley Unlimited gives us exactly that opportunity.”

He added: “We want as many competent suppliers as possible to know about Crossrail contracts and have the opportunity to go for them. It’s good for Crossrail and good for UK Plc to have a healthy mix of companies of various sizes and from different regions. This is part of our work towards promoting greater economic sustainability.”

The briefing was told that Crossrail’s contractors still have mechanical and electrical equipment to procure.

Cllr Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Council and Leadership Board member at Tees Valley Unlimited, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Tees Valley, said: “The well-attended executive briefing provided the ideal platform for Tees Valley businesses to learn directly about the substantial contract opportunities associated with two of the UK’s biggest transport infrastructure investments.

“There are companies in Tees Valley that have the skills and ability to contribute to the delivery of HS2 and Crossrail, and it is important for them to be made aware of the business potential and how they can bid for contracts.”

Rob Johnson, Director of Axiom Engineering Associates Ltd, one of the TEN founders, said: “The briefing was a fantastic forum for delegates to learn directly from and engage with executives associated with two major rail projects.

“One of TEN’s aims is to provide an arena where larger companies can showcase their vision and present their supply chain needs to let Tees Valley firms know how they can win work from large scale regeneration and infrastructure development schemes.”

Care Village Teams Up With Teesside College To Tackle Skills Shortage

By on 18th February 2016in Local Biz

A Teesside college is helping a North Yorkshire care provider to tackle a chronic skills shortage in the industry…

Sixteen apprentices from Redcar & Cleveland College are currently employed at the Abbey Care Village in Scorton near Richmond. Eight of the students are working towards a Level 2 qualification in Health & Social Care, seven are studying for a Level 3 Diploma in the same subject, and another student is nearing completion of a Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality.

Now the college has announced it is supplying another tranche of apprentices to the care village, which had previously struggled to find workers with the requisite skills. Fifteen students will work towards a Level 2 qualification in social care while gaining valuable work experience at the company, which provides residential care, nursing care, a mental health support service, a respite service for carers, and support for people with learning disabilities.

The announcement comes as the care industry battles to overcome a crippling skills shortage. Figures from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) show that up to two million more workers will need to be trained and recruited by 2022 to meet demand – more than half the current care workforce.

Shirley Leighton, training manager at Abbey Care Village, said: “It’s no secret that we need new talent coming into the industry. Not just young apprentices, but also older workers with the necessary skills and experience. Our partnership with Redcar & Cleveland College is helping us to tackle the issue head on.”

The partnership also highlights the college’s commitment to adult apprenticeships. All fifteen of the new tranche of apprentices are over the age of 24, as are the seven Level 3 Health & Social Care students from the first batch. This replicates a trend across the Tees Valley; recent data from the Skills Funding Agency showed a 30% rise in the number of adult apprenticeship starts in the area in 2014-15.

Steven Winterburn, apprenticeships manager at Redcar & Cleveland College, said: “The care sector is a major employer in the North East and North Yorkshire, so it’s vital that employers have access to the right skills. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of helping employers to create jobs and tackle industry skills shortages.

“Our Health & Social Care apprenticeships are proving to be really popular, particularly among people over the age of 24. Many students are getting the necessary qualifications so that they can forge a career in the sector.”

With the Government aiming to create another three million apprenticeships by 2020, Redcar & Cleveland College has focused heavily on promoting its offering in this area and building partnerships with employers across a variety of sectors, including Health & Social Care, IT, engineering, manufacturing, green energy and sport across the North East and Yorkshire. The college also offers apprenticeships and other vocational training courses at its Oil & Gas International Training Academy, which is based at the Corporation Road campus.

For further information, call 01642 473 132 or visit www.cleveland.ac.uk.

Billingham Company Assisting Former SSI Workers Back Into Work

By on 1st February 2016in Local Biz

Harpers Environmental, a Billingham-based waste management company, is helping three former SSI workers back into work as part of the SSI Task Force Jobs and Skills Fund, administered by Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU)…

The £16.5m fund was set up to help local firms employ former SSI workers or their spouses in full-time or part-time jobs for a minimum of three years. It subsidises the cost of employment for positions made available for at least three years with a payment of 50 per cent of the basic salary costs for each new job created in the first two years of employment up to a maximum of £11,000 per employee.

Harpers Environmental, which was established sixty years ago and also has a depot in York, has committed to taking on at least three former SSI workers, and has appointed one so far. Daniel Lowery, who was employed at SSI for seven years, now works as a Vacuum Tanker Driver.

Jim McIver, Depot Manager at Harpers Environmental in Billingham, said: “We wanted to support getting people who’ve lost their jobs back into work as soon as we could. Daniel has lots of skills and experience to help him in his new job, including a Class 1 LGV Category C+E Drivers qualification, which means he can drive heavy goods vehicles.”

Daniel’s new job involves collecting leachate – the liquid that drains or ‘leaches’ from a landfill – from various locations around the North East to the Billingham depot.

Mr McIver added: “Daniel currently drives a 44 tonne lorry and we also are aiming to make him familiar with, and confident to use, all the vehicles in the fleet. The two other SSI recruits will be doing the same type of job.”

Paul Booth, Chairman of Tees Valley Unlimited, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Tees Valley, said:  “This fund is based on a tried and tested methodology that has been highly successful in the past when it secured work for more than 700 people in Tees Valley.

“Daniel’s appointment demonstrates that this scheme has the potential to make a significant impact on individuals looking for alternative employment in the wake of SSI’s demise on Teesside. It also demonstrates how strategically targeted support can deliver results.”

Amanda Skelton, Chair of the SSI Task Force and Chief Executive of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “It’s a tribute to companies like Harpers Environmental that they are willing to go that extra mile to help people get back on their feet after the closure. It’s a vital part of our drive to rebuild the economy, and I would encourage more companies to come forward and take advantage of the fund.”

Harpers Environmental has a range of services across three dedicated operating divisions: industrial services, waste removal, waste disposal and HSE & support services. Today, Harpers is regarded as a leader in the field of waste management.

For more information on The SSI Task Force Jobs and Skills Fund, visit: www.teesvalleyunlimited.gov.uk or call 01642 524 412.

Teesside Charity Aims To Raise Awareness Of Dyspraxia

By on 25th January 2016in Lifestyle

A Teesside charity is launching a new support group which aims to help young people affected by dyspraxia…

Roseberry Community Consortium has set up Dyspraxia Support Group, which will offer assistance and a wealth of support for anyone in the region, aged between 13 and 25, suffering from the condition.

Pritthijit Datta, the brains behind this new group, suffers from dyspraxia himself, and has been a trustee of the Stockton-based charity for five years.

He said: “The support group will give members the opportunity to share their experiences with others who are affected by dyspraxia, and also help to build their confidence levels and social skills.

“There will be numerous activities which members can get involved in, ranging from art to one-on-one sessions, workshops and more.

“The charity has gone from strength to strength, and we would like to see this continue by getting as many people involved with the support group as we can.”

Dyspraxia is a life-long condition which specifically affects a person’s co-ordination. It is thought to affect around 3% of adults in the UK, and is more common in men.

Pritthijit – who was diagnosed with dyspraxia at a young age – has played a pivotal role in moving the charity forward, but believes the condition is still misunderstood.

He said: “I hope the support group will help us raise awareness of dyspraxia across the Tees Valley, and also help not only those affected by it, but also the people around them.

“Our aim is to educate people so they get a better understanding of the condition.”

Roseberry Community Consortium was established in 2009, and offers guidance for disadvantaged young people across the Tees Valley through numerous projects, including music tuition, dancing, heritage, education and life skills.

The charity also runs a horticultural project, Plot to Plate, which is transforming a once derelict piece of land between Stockton and Middlesbrough into a vibrant garden and horticulture resource.

“Plot to Plate encourages young people to think about healthy eating and wellbeing, and also aims to help members build their self-confidence,” said Pritthijit.

“It’s a fantastic project, and we’re hoping the area will become a community hub for the region.”

Roseberry Community Consortium wants to develop the Plot to Plate further, and is looking for volunteers to join the project in March.

Dyspraxia Support Group will launch on Saturday 30th January at Arc, Stockton, at 1pm and is currently looking for volunteers and new members.

For more information about the forward thinking charity, or to become a member or volunteer with Dyspraxia Support Group, visit www.roseberrycommunityconsortium.org.

North East Artist Uses Powerful Designs To Help SSI Families

By on 14th December 2015in In & Around

A North East artist wants to help families affected by the closure of SSI by donating 10% of profits he makes from the sale of his artwork…

Graphic designer Graeme Hall has created a series of 150 powerful, limited edition designs depicting the closure of Consett Steelworks, which saw 4,500 people lose their jobs in September 1980.

Having grown up around Consett, the father-of-two witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that such a closure has on a community, which is one of the reasons he has decided to donate to the Teesside Steel Appeal.

Graeme, 43, has also been inspired by the actions of 10-year-old Ben Hebden, from Marske, who started a fund to give a Christmas party and other treats to steelworkers’ children.

He said: “When I saw in the news that this young lad was doing an extremely generous thing to help those affected by the closure of SSI, I thought why can’t I raise some money to show my support for them?

“When the Consett Steelworks shut down, the impact it had on the community was huge, and it took years for the town to recover.

“I knew people who were personally hit by the closure back then, but I couldn’t really help the way I wanted to.

“This time, I can do something to help, even if it makes Christmas better for just one family.”

Each of Graeme’s designs has been created to capture the significant moment in the region’s history, while emphasizing the scale of the steelworks and showing how it dominated Consett.

Taking anything between eight hours and a couple of days to produce, Graeme has used an abundance of reds to portray the processes which were used when the steelworks was running and often left a red glow over Consett.

Having worked as a graphic designer for the last 20 years, Graeme – who is a director of award winning branding and graphic design studio Designs Unique – always knew he wanted to pursue a career in art from a young age.

Although he has never sold any of his work in the past, Graeme currently has designs displayed in Consett’s The Glass and Art Gallery, and now hopes his work will find its place in houses across the North East, while helping SSI families enjoy their Christmas.

To order or enquire about a design, email www.uniquely-yours.co.uk.

There are four different designs available, which come in A3 and cost £45 (double mounted) and £98 (framed).

Teesside Steel And Energy Industries: Are You Affected?

By on 6th November 2015in Have Your Say, Local Biz, What's New?

Involved in the Teesside industry crisis? We want you to #HaveYourSay…

Yesterday it was announced that the construction of TV2, Teesside’s energy-from-waste plant, would be suspended. With the future of over 700 workers hanging in the balance, tensions are understandably high.

Stockton-On-Tees councillor Bob Cook has said: “We appreciate that this is a very worrying time for all those affected and are meeting with Air Products representatives tomorrow to establish the full facts. We will work closely with our neighbouring local authorities and other organisations to provide effective and appropriate support to the contractors affected and their families.”

Following the recent furore over the mothballing of Redcar’s SSI steelworks, it certainly seems like dark days for industry in Teesside.

Are you affected by any of this?

We want to hear from you. Are you one of the 700 TV2 workers, or one of the thousands of SSI workers? Has your family been thrown into jeopardy just ahead of Christmas? Is Teesside’s rich and industrious heritage being abandoned?

We want your voice to be heard. Email online@inandaroundmag.co.uk with your thoughts, concerns, and opinions. If you have something to share, we’re giving you the platform to #HaveYourSay.

For more information on having your voice heard, visit the Write For Us page.

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