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

Tess Egginton
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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.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “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, said: “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.

Cema Vending become finalists in four categories at the Vendies Awards

Tess Egginton
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Cema Vending become finalists in four categories at the Vendies Awards
Cema Vending were thrilled to have been nominated in the prestigious Vendies Awards on Wednesday 7 June, not just once, but four times! Although the company didn’t grab the winning spot, the team were thrilled to have been, nominated, shortlisted and even becoming finalists in four categories: Best Overall Operator, Customer Service Award, Woman of The Year (for operations manager Kerry Turton) and Best Route Operator (for Sam Simpson), and are keeping their fingers crossed for the next one. Ellice Hudson, operations director for Cema Vending, was excited to attend the awards for the first time and take along some of the Cema Vending team to celebrate the event. The awards themselves are decided by a team of expert judges, including: · Phillipa Atkinson-Clow – General manager of the Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA) · Erwin Wetzel – Director general of the European & Coffee Service Association (EVA) · Phil Reynolds – Director of the Vendex Show · Michelle Hefferon – Business manager at NIVO · Heather Ramsden – Editor of Vending International magazine The Vendies have a long tradition of recognising the people who make a difference to the vending industry.

Nottinghamshire County Council “encourage everyone to get nominating” for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Tess Egginton
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Nottinghamshire County Council “encourage everyone to get nominating” for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Nottinghamshire County Council is encouraging members of the property and construction industry to enter Business Link’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023. Nottinghamshire County Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “With so many high-profile infrastructure and housing projects coming to Nottinghamshire and the region, the property and construction industry is more crucial than ever to our economy. “This includes a world-class cutting-edge project known as STEP Fusion. Nottinghamshire will be the home of a new prototype site, due to be built at the former coal-fired power station at West Burton near Retford. The aim is to create a virtually limitless source of clean electricity, with potential to export this across the world. “We’re also helping create new, greener communities and homes such as the Berry Hill development in Mansfield and Top Wighay near Hucknall as well as improving our transport infrastructure thanks to major plans for the A614. “These projects, which we as a council play an integral part in, will bring skilled jobs, investment and provide long-term contract opportunities for the supply chain. “So I would encourage everyone to get nominating for these awards as this industry deserves to be in the spotlight.” With nominations open until Thursday 31 August, now is the ideal time to enter your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023. To do so – click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include: Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region. The event will also feature Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, as keynote speaker. Tickets can now be booked for the awards event, which runs from 4:30pm – 7:30pm – click here to secure yours. Network with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Dress code is standard business attire.
  Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

Study finds small nuclear reactors could deliver cost advantages in green energy generation

Stuart Pearcey
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Study finds small nuclear reactors could deliver cost advantages in green energy generation
A feasibility study involving Rolls-Royce SMR and global business and investment company, Sumitomo Corporation, shows Rolls-Royce Small Modular Nuclear Reactors could provide a significant advantage over other energy sources in producing low-carbon hydrogen. Each Rolls-Royce SMR’s ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plant will produce 470MW of low-carbon electricity, but its compact footprint and flexible modular design means it can be located alongside energy intensive industrial processes – including hydrogen production. For the production of hydrogen via Solid Oxide Electrolytic Cell (SOEC) technology, it is possible to use the thermal output of the power plant to radically boost the overall efficiency of the hydrogen production cycle. This study analysed the use of both heat and power from the Rolls-Royce SMR to run electrolysers to produce low-carbon hydrogen. The detailed independent study was produced using real-world data and found that – when cost, availability and carbon emissions are taken into consideration – hydrogen production powered by a Rolls-Royce SMR has the greatest overall advantage compared to all other available sources. Harry Keeling, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Head of Industrial Markets, said: “This is an exciting move forward for Rolls-Royce SMR and Sumitomo Corporation. The potential for the Rolls-Royce SMR to be used for industrial purposes is one of its greatest strengths – being able to deliver large amounts of low-carbon, always-on power, but being flexible enough to be located close to where industry needs it. The production of low-cost hydrogen is a critical step on the pathway to decarbonising our wider society.” Earlier this year, the Rolls-Royce SMR design progressed to the second step of the Generic Design Assessment by the UK’s independent regulators which reinforced its position as the SMR design that’s furthest advanced towards being deployed in the UK. Sumitomo Corporation will now use the report to support site suitability work and develop its understanding around the potential for utilising Rolls-Royce SMRs alongside clean hydrogen production facilities in the UK. The Rolls-Royce SMR concept uses standard nuclear energy technology so far used in 400 reactors around the world. A single Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload power generation for at least 60 years.

Two new lettings swiftly secured at Southgate Retail Park in Derby

Tess Egginton
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Two new lettings swiftly secured at Southgate Retail Park in Derby
Real Estate Investors plc, the Birmingham-based Real Estate Investment Trust with a portfolio of 1.37 million sq ft of investment property, has announced two new lettings in quick succession at Southgate Retail Park in Derby. Ian Clark, director, Asset Management, at REI, said that when the two units were vacated by Subway, they were immediately snapped up by local businesses. The 1,600 sq ft retail unit to the front has been taken by Basat Mahmood and Aqib Iftikhar on a 15 year lease to open a local convenience store. The rear unit, also 1,600 sq ft, has been taken on a five year lease by Asgar Tair who runs a boxing gym as a charitable enterprise. Southgate Retail Park comprises a 53,202 sq ft, eight unit, retail and office property, combining a modern retail warehouse scheme and a business innovation centre, with extensive car parking facilities. The park is anchored by a Lidl store and serves as a district centre to residents of the Normanton suburb of Derby. As well as Lidl, tenants include The Gym Group and the Royal Mencap Society.

Portchester Equity extends UK rail portfolio with acquisition of Derby-based Yellow Rail

Tess Egginton
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Portchester Equity extends UK rail portfolio with acquisition of Derby-based Yellow Rail
Portchester Equity Ltd (PEL) has acquired Derby-based Yellow Rail Ltd, a £15m turnover rail engineering service company, strengthening its rail portfolio in the UK rail sector. PEL is committed to the rail sector and increasing capability and service offering to passenger and freight customers, through its financial strength and by optimising existing PEL rail assets (W.H. Davis and Davis Wagon Services). This acquisition creates strong synergies with the existing rail assets, well-established business relationships and highly complementary portfolios in the areas of freight wagon maintenance, freight field services and material supply services. Enhancements to the portfolio through the acquisition include the introduction of rail services to the passenger sector, engineering design services, bogie overhaul and repair services and wheel lathe systems and services. Yellow Rail will benefit from access to the rail-connected facility at Shirebrook on the Robin Hood mainline for the new acquisition, for both passenger and freight projects, whilst ensuring W.H. Davis continues its full commitment to freight wagon building and re-purposing activities. This acquisition is a significant step up for the group of companies, now able to offer more ambitious services to the market, underpinned by the PEL financial strength and the integrated capability and geographical presence of the three companies. Paul Bragg, Managing Director of PEL responsible for leading the acquisition, says: “This is a perfect fit within our multi-industrial manufacturing side of the group, where we will be able to improve our capability to passenger and rail customers.” Andy Kevins, Managing Director of Yellow Rail, believes this acquisition offers a great opportunity to accelerate the growth of the company with the support of PEL and within a group of rail companies that includes W.H. Davis and Davis Wagon Services, two well-established suppliers within the UK freight sector. Andy says: “It also provides increased security for our amazing staff, access to an excellent rail connected facility and the opportunity to work with other companies in the same group, to increase our overall capability and service offering. After 16 years as an independent SME, Yellow Rail are looking forward to playing its part in a bigger rail family.”

Cooking oil-powered cement tanker is first for the UK

Stuart Pearcey
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Cooking oil-powered cement tanker is first for the UK
Coalville-based Aggregate Industries has introduced the first cement tanker in the UK to be powered by waste cooking and frying oil from the food industry, putting it to work in its Lafarge Cement business. Operated by logistics partner Lomas Distribution, the 30-tonne bulk tanker is powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, part of the paraffinic family of fuels and a fossil-free alternative to mineral diesel, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. HVO is made by hydrotreating the waste oil, creating a direct substitute for conventional diesel, and reducing emissions not only of carbon but also nitrous oxide and particulate matter. The truck joins the fleet of 50 Lafarge Cement vehicles, and will operate out of the Cauldon cement plant in the Staffordshire Moorlands to serve locations in the midlands and northwest. Matt Owen, Supply Chain Manager in Aggregate Industries’ Cement division, said: “The benefits of using HVO are there for all to see. Being able to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent is huge for us, alongside the reduction in things like nitrous oxide. “Also, HVO is a direct drop in replacement for diesel so easy to switch to. We are trialling the vehicle and will be monitoring and evaluating its performance and its emissions. “We are already using HVO in our loading shovels at our three cement dockside terminals at Glasgow, Ellesmere and Chatham and are planning to introduce more HVO fuelled vehicles over the year.” The cement division has also recently taken an electric cement truck on trial working with Lomas. Luke Olly, Carbon and Energy Manager at Aggregate Industries, said: “This is a fantastic step forward as we look to accelerate our journey to net zero. “Our aim as a company is to reduce unblended gas oil usage by more than 90 per cent by 2035. HVO offers us one of a number of opportunities to do this. It is circular in nature as it starts out as raw material derived from plants and we are effectively re-using waste after it has been used in the food industry. “We have plans to increase alternative ways to fuel our vehicles and plant equipment whether that is through HVO, electric or hydrogen and we look forward to rolling these out across the business over the coming years.”

University’s study measures Covid’s impact on 200 Derbyshire businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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University’s study measures Covid’s impact on 200 Derbyshire businesses
The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on Derbyshire’s two 200 businesses have been revealed in a report by the University of Derby’s Business School. Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, businesses saw turnover drop by 14%, compared to the previous year, with the total turnover for all 200 being £3.78 billion less than in 2019-2020. Despite this, some sectors remained resilient – especially healthcare and medicine, construction and chemicals – and businesses within those industries performed better than the previous years. The top three largest sectors were manufacturing (30.5%); wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicles (20.5%); and financial services and insurance (10.5%). To qualify for the list, companies must have:
  • been active during 1 July 2020 to 20 June 2021
  • had their registered office in Derby or Derbyshire
  • reported independent accounts to Companies House for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021
Toyota Manufacturing UK – the car manufacturer tops the listing again this year with a turnover of £2.11 billion. HealthNet Homecare (UK) – a business providing home care services and prescription drugs to the care sector. Having moved its registered office to Swadlincote in April 2021, it is this year’s Highest New Entrant to the list at number 24. Breedon Trading Ltd and Breedon Cement Ltd – part of the wider Breedon Group, these businesses deliver essential products to the construction sector. Despite operating in a sector that is one of the most difficult to decarbonise, they are working hard to put sustainability at the centre of the business, and won the Sustainability Champion award. Don Amott Leisure Ltd – who received the Family-Owned Favourite award. Part of the Don Amott Leisure Group, it sells and services caravans and motorhomes from its site at Hilton, near Derby. Resonate Group – specialising in rail and connected transport, this firm is recognised as Rail Innovator. It has successfully made the jump from SME to large business in a sector that is strategically important to the region, especially now that Derby has been announced as the home of Great British Railways. It has risen 20 places in the list this year. University of Derby Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell said: “Although covering a period when businesses were impacted by the pandemic, this report confirms that our city and country remain home to some of the world’s most successful businesses. The jobs they provide for thousands of people, including our graduates, are vital to supporting our communities and the prosperity of our region. The University will continue to work closely with employers and businesses across a range of sectors to help meet the current and future needs of our region so that we can maintain this position of collective strength.” Don Amott Leisure Ltd owner, Don Amott junior, said: “My father, Don senior, set up the business in 1963, and this year is our 60th anniversary. We still proudly uphold his philosophy: to offer excellent quality, the lowest possible prices, and to make customers your friends. This Family-Owned Favourite award is testament to that philosophy and my father’s vision.” The University’s Top 200 Businesses in Derby and Derbyshire report was compiled by a team of researchers from the University’s Business School using publicly available information. It was launched at an event at the University’s One Friar Gate Square, home to its College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, and close to the location of its new Business School, currently under construction.

Aspire Pharma sponsors Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s medical centre

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Aspire Pharma sponsors Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s medical centre
Aspire Pharma Ltd is the new sponsor of Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s (LCCC’s) state-of-the-art medical centre at the Uptonsteel Ground, at Grace Road. Since 2016, the medical centre has been sponsored by Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Aspire in 2022. This acquisition will create a fast-growing, top-30 UK specialty pharma company. The newly named Aspire Medical Centre will continue to be a critical treatment area for the club’s players; where specialist physio can be carried out, as well as urgent medical assistance provided in an emergency. As the medical centre has become more established, it has developed into a hub for sports science and medicine. Hundreds of junior cricketers from LCCC’s Academy are invited to visit and learn more about these key study areas each year. Richard Condon, Chief Executive of Aspire Pharma, said: “At Aspire, our mission is to make a difference to the lives of patients through the development and supply of innovative products and medicines throughout the world, which this partnership very much aligns with. “We’re proud to continue our support of the Aspire Medical Centre, which has developed into an essential treatment facility for the club. It has also become an education hub for the benefit of the players, public and wider community.” Prior to the creation of the Aspire Medical Centre in 2016, the club had to treat players and visitors off-site, which was not ideal if a member of the public or player became seriously ill. Sean Jarvis, CEO of LCCC, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Aspire Pharma as the medical centre’s new sponsor. It’s great news that Aspire will be continuing our partnership, which has made such a huge difference to the sports science, physiotherapy, and medical treatment facilities at Grace Road.” The medical centre, in the Lower Meet, provides Leicestershire County Cricket Club players with state-of-the-art match preparation and rehabilitation support from injuries. It has a space for a private treatment room, an open plan treatment area and an adjoining trauma room, which doubles as a crowd medical facility for use by St John’s Ambulance on match days. Ryan Smith, Head of Sports Science and Medicine at the club, said: “The cricket season is demanding and can take its toll on the players’ bodies. For the team to reach the highest level it’s essential that we have the best facilities onsite to treat and rehabilitate the players. This access allows our teams to deliver individualised treatments at any time and enables our players to consistently train all year round. “The medical centre’s facilities are an important part of our pre-match, during and post-match physiotherapy and sports science infrastructure. It has enabled us to progress the rehabilitation of our injured athletes by increasing the access we have to a usable and functional training environment. “This will hopefully give our players the winning edge in the different championships they are competing in this cricket season.”

Loughborough University given role in economy-boosting creative industries project

Stuart Pearcey
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Loughborough University given role in economy-boosting creative industries project

Loughborough University will be part of a new research team of creative sector specialists, established as part of a government project to give a £50 billion boost to the creative industries in the UK.

Announced as part of the government’s Creative Industries Sector Vision, the new Insight and Foresight Unit will be led by Goldsmiths, which has been chosen as the preferred bidder to be the host organisation, alongside partners at the British Film Institute, the University of Edinburgh, and Loughborough. This Insight and Foresight Unit will support the CoSTAR (Convergent Screen Technologies and performance in Realtime) national infrastructure, which will ensure the UK stays at the cutting-edge of new virtual production techniques for stage, screen and live events. Examples of virtual productions include the hugely popular ABBA Voyage live show and Disney Plus’s The Mandalorian. The Insight and Foresight Unit will focus on identifyingindustry trends and insights associated with creative technologies and informing future policy and investment for the screen and performance sectors. This includes considering improved ecological sustainability, a more diverse and inclusive workforce, new workflows and ways of working, and audience engagement with creative productions realised through theCoSTARinfrastructure. Loughborough’s involvement will be led by Graham Hitchen, Professor of Practice within the Institute for Media and Creative Industries, and head of the University’s new Policy Unit. Loughborough is already established as a research leader in the creative industries, being home to the Creative Research AndInnovation Centre (CRAIC).  CRAIC recently received funding from the Screen Industries Growth Network to create a framework to enable the mapping of virtual production assets across the UK. It has also worked with the Audience of the Future and Creative Industries Clusters team at UKRI to understand Creative R&D and to help shape thinking and future investments in the Creative Technology space.  Professor Hitchen said: “This investment provides a brilliant opportunity to be at the forefront of future thinking about creative technologies in the UK and will enable us to build on our research strengths.”  Professor Jonny Freeman, Academic Lead for Knowledge Exchange at Goldsmiths, and Principal Investigator of the IFU added:“The UK’s Creative Industries have an incredible reputation globally and the CoSTAR infrastructure investment announced today will help to secure this.  “The consortium we have assembled for the Insight and Foresight Unit is formidable. It combines Goldsmiths’ expertise in the immersive, audience and virtual production sector, BFI’s unrivalled screen sector expertise and data, Edinburgh’s leadership in developing new forms of data to empower the creative industries, and Loughborough’s track record in research and policy on creative technologies and creative R&D with the support of its new Policy Unit.”  The unit was announced as part of the government’s Creative Industries Sector Vision to maximise the potential of the UK creative industries and grow the economy, so they generate an extra £50 billion for the economy and support a million more jobs by 2030. 
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