Business

Offering opportunities for local apprentices

This National Apprenticeship Week, Chesterfield residents are benefitting from apprentice opportunities thanks to Chesterfield Borough Council’s involvement in the Apprentice Town initiative.

National Apprenticeship week runs from 4 to 8 March and celebrates the work carried out by apprentices of all ages. In 2017/18 1,120 apprenticeships were delivered in the borough.

One development which is benefitting from local apprentices is The Skylarks development on Dunston Lane building two to five bedroom family homes in 15 different designs. The developer, William Davis Homes, has employed four local people as apprentices.

Apprentice Kieran Moulds said: “The benefits of doing an apprenticeship is that you actually get to do more practical work than theory – you do theory at college but I prefer to do more practical.”

Gary Long, Apprentice Manager at William Davis Homes added: “From day one, all of our apprentices have shown tremendous application, from interview to present day.”

“They give 120 per cent both on-site and off-site; their work ethic is second-to-none.”

As a partner in the Apprentice Town initiative, the council is committed to offering and promoting apprenticeship opportunities for local people of all ages.

Councillor Terry Gilby, the council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We think apprenticeships are really important; it gives a lot of people a chance to find employment.”

“Apprenticeships are not just for young people – it doesn’t matter what your age is you can take up an apprenticeship and learn new skills.”

Apprenticeship opportunities available at the council and with other local employers are listed on Chesterfield Borough Council’s website.

There are lots of opportunities available – not only for manual work such as building and construction but also in a variety of roles including business, administration, marketing, healthcare, working with animals and beauty.

Visit www.chesterfield.gov.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies to see the current vacancies.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Young people blazing a trail for apprenticeships in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire

Apprenticeships are being put under the spotlight nationally from 4 – 8 March 2019, during the 12th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2019).

Co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, NAW is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider community.

Apprenticeships are key to Chesterfield’s growing economy, so much so the town became the first to declare itself an Apprentice Town.

Led by Chesterfield Borough Council the Apprentice Town initiative aims to raise awareness of apprenticeships and promote cooperative working across the education, business and learning community.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “One of the council’s top priorities is improving the quality of life for local people and ensuring our residents have good employment and training opportunities is key to that. This is why we worked with our partners to establish Chesterfield as an Apprentice Town in 2017.”

In Chesterfield there are currently more than 50 apprenticeship vacancies in a wide range of sectors, including project management, animal care, IT, hospitality, childcare and auto care, being advertised by employers in the town.

In 2017 alone, 1120 apprenticeship starts were delivered. Almost half of the apprenticeships delivered were at Level 3 or above, including 100 Higher Level Apprenticeships. Initial figures for the first quarter of 2018/19 show an 14% increase in apprenticeship starts compared to the same quarter in 2017/18.

With more than 14,000 young people in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire set to leave school over the next five years, apprenticeships are at the top of the agenda for many businesses who are keen to attract the next generation.

Blaze a Trail’ is the theme for this year’s NAW. There are thousands of young people already using apprenticeships right now to blaze a trail in their careers in businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Here are just some of them:

Name: Jack Charlesworth

Age: 22

Employer: Capgemini

Apprenticeship: Degree Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management

Jack’s advice: “If there’s something you want to do for a career, have a look and see if there’s an apprenticeship that could be linked to that career. No matter how weird or wacky it is, you might be able to find an apprenticeship that can help you get onto the right route.”

Prior to joining Capgemini, Jack completed his A Levels in IT, Business Studies and Economics. The fact a degree apprenticeship eliminates university fees and gave him the opportunity to earn while he learned, meant Jack decided that it was time to get working.

He commented on his decision: “I’d learnt so much already at school but not put anything into practice. I really didn’t want to go on to university to take on a load more skills and have nowhere to apply them, so an apprenticeship was definitely the right route for me.

“When I first joined Capgemini and it was all completely fresh to me. I received the support I needed to really kickstart my career. Since then, I have gained experience in being a project manager and feel like I am seen as a normal part of the workforce. I’d love to progress with the company and gain more responsibilities going forward.”

Name: Joshua Bown

Age: 17

Employer: Learning Unlimited, Chesterfield College

Apprenticeship: Level 2 Business Administration

Joshua’s advice: “Look forwards and work your way backwards to see if an apprenticeship aligns with what you want to do.”

Before starting his apprenticeship at Chesterfield College, Josh was studying Travel and Tourism full-time at college. However, he was ready to get hands on and start to apply the skills he’d learned, so turned to an apprenticeship.

He said: “It’s been a huge positive change in my life moving onto an apprenticeship. Not only am I still learning, but the work experience is benefitting me massively and the wage I’m earning has allowed me to become a lot more independent.”

Josh has really enjoyed being part of a team and working with people and hopes that he can pursue that area of his apprenticeship going forward: “I’ve found my passion in interacting with people, whether that be a colleague or with people enquiring about apprenticeships at the college, and that’s definitely something I want to be incorporated in my job for the foreseeable future.”

Name: Maddie Cornwell

Age: 19

Employer: JP Ward & Associates

Apprenticeship: Level 3 Dental Nurse

Maddie’s advice: “Once you’ve found what you want to do, you should apply to as many places as possible. That way, you’re going to give yourself the best opportunity to find the right apprenticeship for you.”

Maddie previously completed her A Levels in Health and Social Care, Psychology and Business Studies, but she always knew that university wasn’t for her. After encouragement and support from her mum to apply for apprenticeships, she found one at JP Ward & Associates as an Apprentice Dental Nurse.

Maddie, who currently spends most of her days assisting in surgery, said: “I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship so far and I definitely prefer the practical learning environment to the one I experienced during my A Levels. It reinforces what I’m learning when I’m able to actually put it into practice on a day-to-day basis.

“I’ve always been interested in working in the medical sector, so I’m really excited to see where this apprenticeship will lead in the future.”

Name: Liam Richardson

Age: 22

Employer: Chesterfield Borough Council

Apprenticeship: Apprentice Bricklayer

Liam’s advice: “Never give up. You could apply for 20 apprenticeships and they could all say no, but there could be that one apprenticeship out there that is waiting for someone to come and take that opportunity.”

Prior to starting his bricklaying apprenticeship with Chesterfield Borough Council, Liam worked in a number of sectors including driving and retail. When he was 22 years old, keen to start a career that gave him long-term prospects, Liam entered into an apprenticeship.

He commented: “I’ve done a bit of everything such as driving and working in retail, but I really wanted something that I could potentially look at doing for the rest of my life. With me being a bit older I didn’t know if it was too late for me to do an apprenticeship, but I’ve been able to drop back into learning, getting qualifications whilst still earning a wage.”

Liam has used an apprenticeship to change careers. The accompanying wage has enabled him to retain his independence. He hopes to progress through his apprenticeships and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

If you’re interested in starting an apprenticeship, discover more here https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/ )

Apprentices Chesterfield

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

Redbrik acquire property management company

Leading regional estate agency Redbrik have strengthened their lettings proposition with the acquisition of Noble Hardy Property Management.

Redbrik has purchased the assets of the Chesterfield-based property management company and will take over managing the company’s portfolio with immediate effect.

Peter Lee, Lettings Director at Redbrik, said: “This acquisition is fantastic news for Redbrik as we look to expand our lettings service further.”

“We were attracted to the business as it had a very similar ethos to Redbrik in terms of delivering outstanding customer service and striving for 100 per cent occupancy. The company has been run very well by Wilson Spencer, aided by Sam Cauldwell and Joshua Whittaker, and we have inherited a great business with no debt or arrears. It is a really nice fit for the Redbrik brand and a great opportunity to expand our lettings offer in Chesterfield.”

“We are continually looking at ways to attract new landlords so we can work with them and help to maximise their assets. We have an extensive database of tenants waiting for properties and are always eager to add new properties to the market.”

Abigail Wilks, Redbrik’s Chesterfield Lettings Manager, added: “This is an exciting time for the business, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Noble Hardy’s Tenants and Landlords to Redbrik.”

“Providing unrivalled levels of customer service is at the heart of everything we do, and we offer a personal, consistent service with one Lettings Negotiator dealing with properties from beginning to end.”

“Our expert Lettings team provide Tenants and Landlords with a concierge-style service, which is entirely tailored to each individual. We understand what Landlords are looking for in a Tenant and go the extra mile to ensure they find the perfect match.”

When looking so sell Noble Hardy Property Management, Owner Wilson Spencer identified Redbrik as his preferred buyer for the business he started over fifteen years ago. He commented: “I have built a real bond with my clients and my primary focus when I knew I was selling was to choose an agency that would look after and take care of my landlords and tenants. I have known Redbrik’s co-founders Julie Bulheller and Mark Ross for many years, and when I knew they were interested, they were my number one choice.”

For more information, visit www.redbrik.co.uk

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

700 new homes planned for Chesterfield’s Staveley Works site

A planning application has been submitted to build up to 700 new homes as part of a vibrant new community at Staveley in what is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the Chesterfield area.

As well as new two, three and four-bed housing, redevelopment of the 100-acre brownfield site, known as Staveley Works, will include a primary school, a marina on the Chesterfield canal, retail and community facilities, a cycle and footpath network, and new wildlife habitats.

Formerly an iron and steel works, the site will benefit from more than £100m of investment, which will link the communities of Brimington, Hollingwood, Staveley and Barrow Hill. The first homes are expected to be available in around five years time while redevelopment is scheduled to last around ten years in total. During the building and infrastructure work, the development is expected to create around 200 construction jobs. The completed development is expected to support around 800 jobs in the commercial, leisure and education sectors.

The plans have been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council by Chatsworth Settlement Trustees, part of the Chatsworth estate, which has owned the land since the 17th Century.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director: “Since closing as an industrial site, Chatsworth has been keen to put something back into the community by redeveloping Staveley Works in an attractive and creative way that provides modern housing, community facilities and jobs for people in the area.

“We held a public consultation in December and got a very positive reaction to our plans. We believe we’ve put forward imaginative ideas to redevelop the site. We can’t wait to get started.”

The planning application is the latest stage in a regeneration process that links with the overall aims of Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council to deliver new investment and infrastructure into the area.

The once-bustling Staveley Works site has been derelict for several years when its 200-year history of industrial development, including mining and iron and steel making, came to a close.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Plans submitted for offices at Chesterfield Waterside

Chesterfield’s premier regeneration scheme, Chesterfield Waterside is set to take significant step forward in 2019.

A Reserved Matters planning application has been submitted for the construction of a six storey office building in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million development, in line with the planning permission granted in May 2017.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the office accommodation will begin later this year and will be the first building to be constructed in phase 1 of Basin Square.

In addition to the office accommodation, Basin Square also has outline consent for residential apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a public realm area and newly constructed canal basin.

The building will deliver circa 35,000 sq ft of much needed high quality, Grade ‘A’ office space to Chesterfield, and is the first step in creating a new business district for the town.  The developers are in already engaged in commercial negotiations with occupiers for the majority of the space contained within the new building.

The office planning application follows hot on the heels of an application in January by Avant Homes to construct 177 homes in The Park neighbourhood of the 16-hectare site.

Recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, Chesterfield Waterside is being led by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

As a result of Waterside and Chesterfield Borough Council receiving a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant in 2016, extensive site remediation works have been completed to facilitate the delivery of the phase 1 Basin Square construction works.

Peter Swallow, managing director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “The submission of the planning application at Basin Square is another major milestone for the development and will deliver the first spade in the ground for this new neighbourhood.

“I am delighted at the progress Chesterfield Waterside is making in 2019. There is great interest in Phase 1 of Basin Square from both investors and occupiers, which has been brought about by the enabling works and granting of consent for the heights and massing of the buildings. It is an exciting time in the development’s timeline.”

Welcoming the news, Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “I am pleased that the Waterside development is progressing and the planning application for the office accommodation has now be made.

“The decision on the development will be made by my fellow councillors on the council’s planning committee in the coming months.”

Chesterfield residents have shown their support for the site. A survey last year found it is the development local people are most looking forward to seeing complete.

Chesterfield Waterside Offices

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Specsavers store in Chesterfield backs Comic Relief with sale of funny frames

Specsavers is once again supporting Comic Relief and the store in Chesterfield is getting in on the act by selling funny frames which are sure to raise a smile.

It is the third Red Nose Day that Specsavers has supported the charity by launching the frames in store, with this year’s red glasses jester theme in keeping with the charity’s comic ethos. Since 2015, Specsavers stores have raised £848,000 and have pledged to raise £250,000 this year in their quest to break the £1 million mark.

This will be done through the sale of the Comic Relief frames which cost just £2, with 100% of the proceeds going to the charity. They will be available to buy in stores and, for the first time, the Comic Relief website.

Vicki Bainbridge, Retail Director at Specsavers Chesterfield says: ‘Our glasses this year are fantastic and we hope everyone gets into the fundraising spirit by picking up a pair in store and help us smash our £1 million fundraising mark. We are really proud to support Comic Relief and all the good causes they fund.’

Catherine Cottrell, fundraising and partnerships executive director at Comic Relief, adds: ‘We’re so pleased Specsavers is continuing to support us for the third year. It’s great to see people having fun wearing their Comic Relief specs to help us raise much needed funds on Red Nose Day and we’re thrilled to now be offering these on our online shop too.’

Frames are available in your local Specsavers store in Chesterfield now ahead of Red Nose Day on Friday 15 March. Customers who would like to recycle the glasses after Red Nose Day will be able to return them to their local store and they will be sent onto a specialist recycling company.

For more information visit www.specsavers.co.uk or www.comicrelief.com

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards

Royal Hospital Staff Survey Shows Improvement

Figures released by Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust show that it is moving towards its aim of being one of the country’s top 20 NHS Organisations to work.

Results from the 2018 national staff survey (published today, February 26 2019) show that it’s making real progress towards that aim – with marked improvements across the survey’s ten ratings of staff experience. The trust employs 4,000 staff  making it one of North Derbyshire’s largest employers.

The trust has one of the highest response rates in the country for an acute hospital – at 71% – more members of staff than ever before (2751) have had their say about what it feels like for them to be part of the NHS, working at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, community based services and Royal Primary Care GP surgeries.

Simon Morritt, Chief Executive says: “We’re really delighted at such visible progress. It’s a real step-change and it’s down to a new approach over the last two years that’s creating a culture where we all share the same positive values, beliefs, behaviours and ambitions. “Providing high-quality, safe and patient-centred care has to be at the heart of what we do and with a rating of GOOD from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) we’re well on our way to become outstanding in that respect.

However, it’s equally important to give the same attention to detail to our people. Taking care of their health and wellbeing, providing them with career development, education and training opportunities, putting them in charge of leading change and improvement, making sure their working environment is safe and that they are supported through compassionate leadership.”

Mr Morritt added, “By giving people the opportunity to get involved, by supporting our staff and enabling them to take the lead we’re creating an even better place to work.

Over the next few months the trust will be focusing on delivering ambitions set out in its People Strategy and Quality Strategy, both of which contain a host of plans designed to improve areas including work-life balance, leadership, education and training and patient care, safety and experience.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Local people urged to back the call for sprinklers in new-build developments

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) is urging people throughout Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to back the London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) call for a change in the law, which would see sprinklers fitted in more new-build residential developments.

The call follows the Grenfell Tower disaster in June 2017, where a fire at the London tower block led to the death of 72 people.

LFB wants all purpose-built residential blocks to have sprinklers installed, irrespective of height. Currently, in England, sprinklers are only a legal requirement in new residential blocks taller than 30 metres.

Worryingly, England is behind Wales where sprinkler legislation is concerned. In Wales, sprinklers have been required in all new houses and flats since 1 January 2017 under Wales, Part B (Fire Safety) – New Building Regulation 37A (1) (c).

The Government is currently consulting on building regulations that include a crucial section on sprinklers.

DBCP, which is the recommended provider of building control services in Derbyshire, is now joining LFB by emailing MPs across Derbyshire to urge them to change the law on sprinklers to make people and buildings in England safer.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP commented: “I fully support this move and would urge any developer to install sprinklers as a matter of course rather than waiting for a change in law. They are not as ugly as they used to be and can be made to look very discrete these days.

“Sprinklers should be installed in all flats and apartments no matter what the cost – you can’t put a price on people being safe in their own home.”

To support the call for all new build development to include sprinkler systems, simply email your MP and tell them you want sprinklers to be mandatory in:

  • all buildings housing vulnerable residents like care homes
  • all purpose-built blocks of flats over six storeys
  • all homes where vulnerable people live.

You can find the email address of your local MP at www.writetothem.com

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership

Posted in Business

Whittam Cox designed scheme gets planning permission

Proposals, designed by Chesterfield Champions, Whittam Cox, for a new Build to Rent scheme at Wicker Island have been given the go ahead from Sheffield City Council.

The proposed development, designed on behalf of developers Brickland, will comprise three interconnected blocks that will deliver 268 apartments with commercial space, parking and residents amenity space fronting onto the River Don.

Located on the northern city gateway, the scheme is a contextual response to the conservation area, listed buildings opposite the site and to new developments across the River Don.

Careful consideration of massing and design has been recognised as the planning officer’s report noted the scheme has strong architectural references to the church creating a positive relationship that will enhance the setting of both the listed buildings and the conservation area.

Director at Whittam Cox Architects, Ian Lowson, commented, “We’re delighted to be working with Brickland, Liv Group and the wider team on such a significant scheme in Sheffield. Our Build to Rent portfolio continues to grow along with our expertise in this ever evolving multi layered sector.”

“The scheme will bring a large, strategic, riverside site back into use and help to meet the City’s housing needs by providing high quality homes in a convenient and easily accessible location.”

Darren Leary, Chief Operating Officer at Brickland, added, “We’re pleased to see plans have been approved and we look forward to working closely with the team in progressing the procurement phase of the scheme, as we work towards a site start in the summer.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New speculative industrial unit at Markham Vale is completed

A new 15,000 sq. ft industrial unit at Markham Vale in Chesterfield has been completed.

The new industrial unit located just off J29A of the M1 has been developed by Priority Space and provides a secure, self-contained yard area and integral offices, available for sale or lease.

It is suitable for a company looking for new headquarters or a regional hub which provides access to the motorway.

The unit follows the completion of phase one of Wilson Business Park, developed by Priority Space to provide 13 units for small to medium sized businesses and is now fully occupied.

Wilson Business Park sits within the Markham Vale flagship regeneration zone which is a 200-acre business and distribution park.

Priority Space, based in Barnsley, delivers commercial property schemes across the UK. It works closely with local authorities and partners to ensure the spaces are designed to meet the needs of businesses and communities.

Lee Buchanan, co-director at Priority Space, said: “We are pleased to complete the second phase of this development which provides large warehousing space to an area where there is demand. We have seen a great deal of interest in the site and hope to secure an occupant very soon.

“The development of Wilson Business Park has enabled Markham Vale to become one of the biggest commercial parks in the region and we’re proud to have contributed towards that.”

Priority Space is working with letting agents Commercial Property Partners (CPP), which has offices in Nottingham and Sheffield, to find occupiers for the new development.

Stuart Waite, partner at CPP, said: “We are delighted to see the build complete and excited to commence this next phase of our marketing campaign. Priority Space has delivered a high-quality building in a market which is starved of high-quality supply. We already have a strong enquiry list and have commenced viewings of the property.”

Wilson Business Park is built on the site of the former Markham Colliery. It was named in honour of Johnny Wilson who died while working on the site as a miner in 1987. Markham Vale is an employment-led scheme delivered by Henry Boot in partnership with Derbyshire County Council.

Discover commercial property in Chesterfield

New Speculative Industrial Unit at Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

University awarded contract to help challenging schools recruit and retain teachers in East Midlands

The University of Derby is being supported by the Department for Education (DfE) to help increase the supply of trainee teachers to schools with poor recruitment and retention in the Midlands.

Funding from the DfE will be used to support a new initial teacher training pilot initiative, led by the Institute of Education at the University, which aims to improve the supply of newly qualified teachers to schools in challenging areas, promote career progression, and remove obstacles to social mobility.

The Partners for Progress project will be delivered over three years, and will involve implementing an extensive outreach programme in a number of diverse category 3 and 4 primary schools across the Midlands region, in-school taster days, recruitment and information events within local communities, as well as offering work experience for trainee teachers at the University within these schools.

Dr Mohammed Jakhara, Acting Head of the Institute of Education at the University of Derby, said: “We believe overall teacher supply from our local communities in greatest need requires development, but for some schools this can be a challenge. Myths around performance and previous Ofsted reports can deter candidates from applying to a particular school.”

“Our Primary Education provision at the University of Derby is one of high quality and we want to develop that further. We already work with many schools and this extra funding from the DfE will enable us to extend our partnerships and support important additional developments.”

As part of the government’s national social mobility action plan, the DfE intends to incentivise Outstanding Initial Teacher Training providers to expand their provision in challenging areas for teacher recruitment.

The University of Derby, which is rated Outstanding for teaching training by Ofsted, was invited to apply for the funding and was successful.

Dr Jakhara said the project will involve trainee teachers, newly qualified teachers, as well as existing teachers and head teachers – supporting them through training and leadership to help aid career progression.

He added: “We know the quality of education children receive has a lifelong impact on them, and, as educators, we want to ensure this impact is a positive one.”

“At the University of Derby, we are developing first-class professionals who will inspire and lead education in the 21st century, support teachers to stay in those schools, and build on school improvement.”

In October 2016, Derby was identified as an Opportunity Area – an area where the DfE is prioritising resources, and bringing local and national partners together, to address challenges of social mobility and ensure all children can reach their full potential.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, is Chair of the Derby Opportunity Area Partnership Board. She said: “At Derby we champion social mobility and strive to inspire and create opportunities for all across our region and beyond, regardless of age, background or location.

“We believe in the transformational nature of education, so to receive support from the DfE to enable us to help open more doors and ensure children receive the high quality education they deserve is fantastic.”

The University will be working with seven schools across the Midlands as part of the project to tackle social mobility.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: “The University of Derby has an excellent track record of recruiting talented people into the teaching profession, further building on the 450,000 teachers already in our schools. This extra funding will boost the number of teachers training in the areas that need them most, equipping them with the skills to help every child fulfil their potential.”

“This follows the launch of the first-ever teacher recruitment and retention strategy – setting out the Government’s plans to increase the number of teachers and make sure teaching remains the attractive and worthwhile profession it has always been by freeing up teachers to focus on teaching.”

The University of Derby is the 13th best university in the UK for teaching quality, according to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 league table.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Made in Chesterfield