Apprentice awards vital for promoting industry
The best of the next generation of agricultural engineers will be celebrated at this year’s Midlands Machinery Show, with awards that are vital for promoting careers within the industry.
Like many career avenues, agricultural machinery firms are struggling to recruit – and someone who has been helping apprentices recognise their talent for years is Andrew Silvester, academy manager at machinery dealer Chandlers. “I taught agricultural engineering apprentices for seven years at Riseholme College – the highest number was 21 at any one time. During that time we had lots of successful candidates enter apprentice awards at the Midlands Machinery Show,” says Mr Silvester.
Having joined Chandlers last year to run its apprenticeship programme, he is passionate about educating the next generation of engineers. “There’s a vast shortage of engineers in the country and across the world,” he says.
But why should young people consider apprenticeships in the first place? “Students tend to learn better in the workplace because they’re mentored constantly, it’s education 24/7 really. It’s not just learning about being an engineer, it’s learning about life at the same time as learning about the machinery, repairs and safety.
“It’s a win-win for me because if a student is committed to it, there’s no better way to learn and get paid. Most companies pay for everything they need.”
But with all these benefits, why is the industry struggling to recruit apprentices? “As an industry, we’re notoriously bad at promoting ourselves, and we recognise that, so we are trying to improve it. A lot of manufacturers are getting together now and offering more training” says Mr Silvester.
“For me, I wanted to create a career path for apprentices – not just the three years of college, but what comes after. We have skilled, advanced and master – so it’s an eight-year career path.”
And this clear career path can be good for retention. “I think once they’ve reached the end of those eight years they’re more likely to stay in the industry.”
Mr Silvester supports apprentices in applying for the apprentice awards at the Midlands Machinery Show each year. “It’s another method of promoting apprenticeships and agricultural engineering – it’s a great show and the awards are brilliant,” he explains.
“I encourage the apprentices to apply, it’s for their own benefit and there’s a great financial bursary because tools are expensive and that’s what they can use their reward for.”
Last year’s awards saw six students accept a cheque for £250 each – the first in a two-year instalment totalling £500. One of them was Stella Hubbard, who works at Farol as a John Deere apprentice. “At the age of five I would come into Farol with my dad and assist with picking parts for jobs/ customers,” she says. “During school I developed an interest in metal work and design and took a particular interest in removing and installing components.”
Having worked at John Deere in both Australia and the UK, she is now enjoying being given the independence to carry out jobs by herself. “I would like to inspire more women to take on this career. I would also love to own my own farm and develop a career in farming.”
And Chandlers boasted two apprentice winners last year; Kieran Snowden at the Grantham depot and Zac Elsdon at Holbeach. “It makes me very proud that the work I do helps farmers to carry on working and put food on our tables,” says Mr Snowden. “It was a great honour to have been selected for this award and will help me progress in my career as well as giving me confidence that the industry is behind me.”
Entries for the apprentice awards are open until 14 October 2022 for any agricultural apprentice aged 17-25 who is living and working in the Midlands region, says Elizabeth Halsall, show organiser. “Supporting aspiring agricultural engineers is vital for the future of the industry and our awards recognise up and coming talent within the sector.”
Social Robots Purchased by Lincoln School of Health and Social Care
Significant investment has been made into social robots to enhance critical discussions into the role of emerging technology in care settings.
The University of Lincoln, UK has purchased two robots for their School of Health and Social Care: one is a PARO harp seal initially designed to fulfil the psychological requirements of enrichment and joy for senior dementia patients; the second is NAO, a more advanced programmable robot that might come to be seen as a ‘personal assistant’.
Michael Rowe, Associate Professor (Digital Innovation in Health & Social Care), said: “The 2019 Topol Report urged the NHS to develop a workforce that will be able and willing to transform it into a world leader in healthcare AI and robotics, so it seems plausible that we will soon see efforts to recruit healthcare professionals with the interdisciplinary skillsets and expertise to lead clinical teams that include non-human actors that are likely to include robots.”
PARO was first made in 2004 by Japanese engineer Dr Takanori Shibata. Pet therapy has long been considered beneficial for certain conditions, hence, the PARO robots aim to simulate this engagement without the hygiene and other impracticalities of live animals.
The manufacturers advertise the seals as suitable for treating emotional and behavioural distress, cognitive disorders, developmental disorders, PTSD and social isolation in addition to their original function as support for dementia patients.
NAO has been purchased with the aim of exploring more advanced features of social robots in the context of health and social care. In contrast to the PARO seal, NAO has the ability to walk, articulate and recognise objects, allowing it to, for instance, fetch a phone for its user via voice command.
The superior range of NAO equips the robot with the potential to act as a non-human team member following further development and understanding. Through introducing students to robotic models as part of the simulation programme in their undergraduate training, they will gain familiarity and a useful critical perspective to navigate their possible uses of social robots in the future.
An analytical approach will be taken to the presence of robotics in health and social care by encouraging students to discuss concerns surrounding privacy and ethics. Questions may be posed regarding the psychological impact of having personal conversations with a robot or the risks should robots collect a patient’s data.
Michael Rowe explains: “In addition to preparing our students to work in the NHS of the future, we also need to prepare critical evaluators of the technology, so that our graduates are able to ask the kinds of questions that ensure patient needs and therapeutic relationships are always our primary considerations.”
The limited understanding of how well the robots really work provides plentiful opportunities for new lines of research inquiry. Colleagues or students in Computer Science, Psychology and Engineering may be able to collaborate with Lincoln’s School of Health and Social Care on unique interdisciplinary studies concerning social robotics.
Ted Baker headlines trio of new lettings for Derbion
Ted Baker, Søstrene Grene and 200 Degrees have been announced as the latest brands to sign up at Derbion, the East Midlands’ leading retail and leisure destination, following a string of recent lettings including Jack Wills, River Studios, Frasers and Boux Avenue.
Iconic fashion brand, Ted Baker, has signed a lease on a 2,960 sq. ft store, which will feature a range of collections from across womenswear, menswear, footwear and accessories. The new Ted Baker store at Derbion will add to the much-loved lifestyle brand’s strong international portfolio which spans across the UK, USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
The brand is the latest fashion retailer to secure a lease at Derbion, following a raft of lettings including Tommy Hilfiger, Mango, FLANNELS, Jack Wills and the first concept store for River Studios. Frasers will open its 127,000 sq multi-brand flagship store at Derbion in November, spanning three floors, and luxury lingerie brand, Boux Avenue, will open before Christmas.
Occupying over 6,000 sq ft of floorspace, Søstrene Grene will offer a wide range of stylish and affordable furniture items and home accessories, as it continues its UK expansion at Derbion. Set to open later this autumn, the Scandinavian brand will join the centre’s growing portfolio of home and interior retailers, including H&M Home which will arrive later this year as the retailer doubles its footprint at Derbion to 25,000 sq ft.
Independently owned coffee roasters, 200 Degrees, have signed a lease for a 1,585 sq ft coffee shop, which will serve handcrafted coffee by a team of highly skilled baristas.
Supporting the continued growth of its food and beverage offer, Derbion has announced a £2 million investment into the refurbishment of its food court. Seating capacity will be increased to meet growing demand and the centre will welcome a number of new brands, including famed American fried chicken restaurant, Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen.
Michael Boundy, senior asset manager at Derbion, commented: “Our leasing momentum has continued to gather pace this year with a string of major lettings alongside some significant upsizes and store refurbishments.
“We’re proud to be announcing the arrival of Ted Baker, Søstrene Grene and 200 Degrees as we broaden our offer across retail, home and food and beverage, and we continue to drive forward our investment across the centre to ensure it remains the most attractive proposition for leading brands and our customers.”
Phase one in progress at job-creating Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park
Works are well underway on the first phase of a business park which will unlock new jobs for North Kesteven.
Phase one of the 37-acre Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park is expected to complete by August next year, ready for the first businesses to move in and call it home.
Local contractor Smith Construction is carrying out the initial enabling groundworks for plots one and three to be built, which make up this phase along with the civils and spine road. Harlaxton Engineering based in Grantham meanwhile are delivering the site-wide utilities connections for the park.
Within plot one will be nine business units ranging from 1,313 sq ft to 2,066 sq ft benefitting from solar panels, energy efficient insulation and electric vehicle charging points.
Plot three contains six slightly larger grow-on business units ranging from 3,369 sq ft to 5,123 sq ft benefitting from solar panels, an electric vehicle charging shelter and extra efficient insulation.
North Kesteven District Council leader councillor Richard Wright said: “To stand onsite where in just under a year’s time there’s expected to be finished units ready to welcome businesses is just fantastic. It’s a real moment to celebrate as a Council committed to investing in our communities, and something to be proud of together as a District.
“There’s been great levels of interest in Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park so far and our marketing agent Banks Long & Co continues to actively promote it and liaise with potential tenants.
“I look forward to seeing the site develop as we reach the next stages of construction, and of course the ripple effect I hope Sleaford Moor Enterprise Park will have in encouraging carbon and energy-saving features to be embedded into other business parks and commercial developments elsewhere.”
Plan submitted for expanded aviation heritage museum
A new museum could champion the pivotal role of RAF College Cranwell and the history and importance of aviation in North Kesteven and the county, if approved.
A new planning application details an expanded aviation museum with a café and educational space, which if given the go ahead would be developed by North Kesteven District Council to replace its current Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum near North Rauceby.
The application if approved would see the creation of the new museum through changing the use of an existing farm building which sits adjacent onsite.
Previously the Carlight factory and currently an industrial unit, this farm building would be reimagined into a cutting-edge tourism and heritage destination marking the advances in aviation history made at RAF College Cranwell and by its servicemen and women past and present, while further cementing North Kesteven’s aviation heritage in the heart of Lincolnshire.
The building’s total footprint would be 6,700 sq ft, up from the current museum which measures around 1,800 sq ft. In addition to bigger and improved exhibition spaces, the bespoke café and learning and conference facilities, there would also be dedicated retail space and car parking under the plan. These expanded facilities could help create additional jobs and volunteer roles.
An outdoor children’s play area would also be added, along with a new access road off Main Street which will help make the museum more visible from the A17 with submission of this signage to follow at a later date.
The new museum would incorporate use of green energy too and electric vehicle charging points, with the Council’s aim in mind for the District to be carbon neutral by 2030.
North Kesteven District Council leader councillor Richard Wright said: “The planning application if approved would see a much larger space made available to display aviation heritage in North Kesteven.
“The next steps will follow the usual planning application process that includes seeking views from various statutory and local consultees. Should the application need to be put forward for consideration by Planning Committee then I look forward to viewing it in more detail as a committee member.”
Delivery of it would be subject to securing funding opportunities. If the planning application submitted is approved, it would become an ‘oven ready’ project to be implemented when all funding is in place and a contractor secured through procurement for the works. When complete all current exhibits would be moved over from the current museum building and this then handed back to the owner.
As part of the project there would also be volunteer opportunities and chance to help shape the implementation of the new museum if approved.
Pre-let deal sees expansion at Leicester trade park
North Leicester Trade Park at Hamilton is expanding with a pre-let deal to build and rent high quality workshop and service premises to Sytner Group Ltd.
Leicestershire commercial property specialist Andrew + Ashwell, which is overseeing the trade park development, has negotiated the deal with Sytner to extend further services alongside the group’s Porsche showroom next door.
Close proximity to Leicester’s inner and outer ring roads, with fast access both to the city centre and major road and motorway links, has put North Leicester Trade Park in demand for growing businesses looking for high quality premises, which are currently in short supply.
Jon Archer, A+A director, explained: “We previously obtained planning permission for an Aldi food store on the site pre-lockdown, more than three years ago. This store is now well established and popular locally. However, difficulties with the slope of the land involved the time-consuming construction of a large retaining wall in order to release further viable development.”
Since then A+A has agreed terms for several further occupants of the site, including a drive-through on the higher level, which it is hoped will go ahead in the coming months. Planning is also underway on a variety of further schemes available for rent for industrial, warehousing and trade development use, which it is hoped will get underway early next year.
Sytner Group Ltd is a prestige car dealership specialising in premium franchises, including Audi, Porsche and BMW, based in Leicester for over 50 years.
Steve Dickinson, Centre Principal, said work was currently underway to complete the building and site, with launch set for late 2023.
“The new workshop and service premises will support and boost current capacity, as well as enhancing customer experience.
“This increased capacity will help reduce customer lead times in servicing and allow us to process more vehicles. The addition of extra outdoor space will in turn create more customer parking and ease congestion on site.
“We will also be looking to recruit new staff as business continues to grow and are greatly looking forward to the launch.”
With expansion of the trade park also in the pipeline, Jon Archer added: “New-build industrial and commercial premises have been in short supply for years and whenever a new scheme comes out of the ground there is always high demand. The market is particularly strong at the moment, with no sign of a slowdown because there is always that pent-up need.”
Pendragon shareholder puts forward £400m bid for the business
Pendragon has received “an unsolicited, preliminary and highly conditional proposal” from shareholder Hedin Group regarding a possible cash offer for the business.
The bid is for 29 pence per share of the Nottingham car retailer, valuing it at £400m.
The Hedin Group, which has over 200 car dealerships, is a family-owned company with operations mainly in the sale and service of vehicles, wholesale of spare parts and tires for vehicles and rental car operations.
Pendragon said: “The Board of Pendragon is currently considering the proposal together with its financial and legal advisers.
“There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any firm offer might be made. A further announcement will be made if and when appropriate.”
Hedin Group will be required either to announce a firm intention to make an offer for the company or to announce that it does not intend to make an offer by 24 October 2022.
£9.2m grant funding available to upskill the domestic retrofit workforce
The Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition (HDSTC) has been launched by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Through the competition, £9.2m of grant funding will be available for training providers across England to run courses to upskill the domestic retrofit workforce.
The competition is being facilitated by the Midlands Net Zero Hub, which is governed by Nottingham City Council. Registered training providers can bid for up to £1m of grant funding through the competition and 8,900 courses are set to be delivered across three areas: retrofit assessment and accreditation, insulation and heat pumps.
Improving energy efficiency of homes remains the best approach to reducing fuel poverty in the long-term, and these courses are aimed at addressing shortages that exist within the retrofit supply chain. Retrofitting domestic properties through these measures contributes to warmer homes, reducing both energy bills and carbon emissions.
Councillor Sally Longford, portfolio holder for energy, environment and waste services, said: “I’m delighted that we are supporting the net zero agenda nationally thanks to the Midlands Net Zero Hub. Heating and powering domestic properties accounts for approximately 40% of energy demand and 30% of carbon emissions, so ensuring the domestic retrofit workforce can be delivered at scale is a vital part of achieving net zero by 2050.
“The Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition gives an opportunity for training providers to offer courses which will help plug the skills gaps in the current retrofit supply chain and join the growing green jobs sector. These opportunities will have a real impact on improving people’s lives by lifting many out of fuel poverty, while also helping us to decarbonise homes.”
Wayne Bexton, director of carbon reduction, energy and sustainability at Nottingham City Council, said: “This competition is a direct boost for the low carbon economy, ensuring skills are being developed to match the pace of retrofit being delivered. I believe the Midlands and Nottingham can lead the green jobs revolution that will support the improvements to properties we need to achieve in order to fulfil our net zero ambitions.”
Michael Gallagher, head of the Midlands Net Zero Hub, said: “We’re pleased to be involved in delivering the second Skills Training Competition on behalf of BEIS, following the success of the Green Homes Grant Skills Training Competition.
“Through our delivery of domestic retrofit schemes in the Midlands, we can see how vital the upskilling of the workforce is to ensure that energy efficiency improvements and low carbon technologies installed are compliant and deliver real benefits to those who are living in homes that may be hard to heat and power.”
The Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Competition is open for applications between 12 September until 10 October 2022.
Interior fit out starts to transform Nottingham’s new Central Library
Anticipation is building as work starts on the interior fit out of the new Central Library, which sits at the heart of the Broad Marsh regeneration area.
The work involves turning the shell of the building – part of the new Broad Marsh Car Park and Bus Station complex – into a modern library, with the installation of new floors, lifts, electrics and plumbing.
Nottingham City Council are working with interior fit out and refurbishment specialists Overbury and acclaimed architects FaulknerBrowns, M&E consultancy Chord and Morgan Sindall construction to transform the inside of the building.
The new library, spread over three floors and fully accessible via lifts, will feature a high-quality children’s library with an immersive story telling room, extensive book collection and comfortable areas to sit and read. Other amenities will include:
- Feature book walls and shelving to display a large collection of books
- Free Wi-Fi and free access to computers, laptops and iPads
- A café & ground floor reception area which can be converted into a performance space
- Specialist and rare collections room for local study material
- Learning lab for special activities and school class visits
- Meeting rooms
- Exhibition space
- Creative design areas
- Business Intellectual Property Centre for the city.
Improving road and rail connectivity highlighted as priorities for ‘Levelling Up’ the East Midlands
Better rail links, reduced congestion and safer roads are all highlighted as key priorities for ‘Levelling Up’ the East Midlands in a new document.
Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) and Midlands Connect, have highlighted eight shared priorities in a new joint vision for the cities and counties of the East Midlands.
Delivering these priorities will boost growth and investment, contribute to the Government’s ‘Net Zero’ and ‘Levelling Up’ Agendas, and help address the historic underfunding of transport in the East Midlands.
The eight priorities are:
- Electrification of the Midland Main Line
- Improved rail connectivity between Nottingham, Leicester and Coventry
- The delivery of HS2 to the East Midlands and Leeds
- Enhancements to the A46 Growth Corridor
- Reducing congestion and improving safety on the A5 Growth Corridor
- Supporting growth and improving reliability throughout the A50/A500 Corridor
- Improving safety and reliability on the A1
- Improving connectivity across EMDevCo and East Midlands Freeport areas.
