< Previousservice sector hit its worst level in 19 years, with the highest ever number of services businesses reporting a lack of suitably skilled professionals. This may be three years ago now and things have started to improve, but this 19 year low is still being felt today. To fix this, there are currently two key methods receiving significant funding that are considered vital: hiring apprentices and upskilling current staff. A commonly forgotten and perhaps underrated positive of hiring and training through apprenticeships, is that one can take a more proactive approach in obtaining the employees desired, as their training can be tailored to the position that needs filling. The National Apprenticeship Service has reported that 86% of employers think apprenticeships help develop skills relevant to their business, and 78% noted an improvement in productivity levels. Despite this, statistics from the Department for Education revealed a 61% drop in new apprenticeships and revealed that those under 19 starting apprenticeships has fallen by 41%. The unfortunate number of apprenticeship starts has resulted in a cynical belief that the levy has put businesses off hiring apprentices, as it has become perceived as just a new tax, even though it is too early since its implementation to read into apprenticeship starts coinciding with the levy. The negative press surrounding apprenticeships can further be contrasted by the expansion of what kind of apprenticeships are now available, and how they can be used to suit a business’s needs. For example, apprenticeships can be utilised to upskill already established employees. This is mainly a result of new Master’s and higher education apprenticeships. In August of 2017, the Institute for Apprenticeships Management Apprenticeship, which allowed employees to gain a Master’s and Chartered Manager professional accreditation together. Fortunately, programmes like this now exist at all East Midlands universities, and indicate how the soft skills gap is Apprenticeships are fast becoming © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / RAWPIXEL.COM TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / GOODLUZ 40 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk 39-41.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 12:14 Page 2East Midlands Business Link 41 www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk the preferred method for healing the skills gap in the service sector and for filling positions that one cannot find suitably skilled staff for. Perhaps, then, it is time to take the advice, put apprenticeships back in our good books, and use the funding and services now available to benefit one’s business. Taking on an apprentice comes with the same risk as hiring a new member of staff, however. And although the interview process can be used to get a good idea of their personality, there is no assurance that they will be competent or loyal employees. And although the lower wage costs associated with apprentices can help to combat this, the very same lower wages might make looking for work elsewhere an attractive option. Using training companies to up-skill your own workforce removes some of the risk involved, particularly if the training is used as a reward for particularly competent or valuable employees. While these newly skilled employees might expect higher wages – there is the assurance of their commitment to the company, as well as their ability to perform in their given role. Investing in their future is also likely to go a long way to improving their job satisfaction as well. Thanks to the region's exceptional educational establishments, the talent is most certainly there, but the challenge now is to assist and encourage businesses into making best use of it. It’s not enough for directors and owners to simply bemoan the state of the industry. That their new employees lack motivation or impetus, or that the skills are just not there. The simple fact of the matter is that no one is born with the skill or experience necessary to run a company, handle accounts or even operate heavy duty machinery. All these skills needed to be trained and taught – and if the prospective staff are not coming in with those qualifications. Then it might be necessary to ensure they earn them. Become more productive The Manufacturing Growth Programme is offering over 150 free fully funded manufacturing productivity workshops to support manufacturing SMEs across England become more productive. Between now and April, the theme is on ‘Value Stream Mapping’. Value Stream Mapping is the start to any lean transformation, it uses a pictogram to depict the flow of material downstream and the flow of information. These sessions are open to all eligible manufacturers and are only a short booking away from reserving places. Each workshop will offer practical group exercises which are informative and fully participative, they help identify challenges and offer practical solutions to take back into your business, develop the skills of your employees, actions that you can apply in your business, are aimed at improving productivity, efficiency and profit, can offer a terrific way to motivate your employees, encourage teamwork and collaboration where you can share your real-life manufacturing experiences with likeminded business people. TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS 39-41.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 12:14 Page 342 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk TAX Read All About It: Accountants Urge VAT Caution By Gerry Myton, Indirect Tax Partner at Streets Myton Mulholland Tax Advisory LLP, the specialist tax advisory arm of Streets Chartered Accountants Have you read the news? Changes to VAT categorisation when it comes to digital periodicals and newspapers could mean that any organisation sharing or selling digital versions of newspapers, updates, publications or newsletters will need to review their treatment of VAT. Due to a recent VAT court case the rules between printed and digital media may have been effectively levelled. Recently, the Upper Tribunal has upheld the appeal of News Corp UK & Ireland Limited (News UK) and disagreed with the First Tier Tribunal decision that digital versions of its newspapers (including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Sun on Sunday) were standard-rated suppliers for VAT purposes. The decision concluded that electronic editions of newspapers are zero-rated for VAT purposes. As far as this reaches, this case will be of interest not only to news publishers, national and regional but also to charities and membership organisations who supply printed matter such as magazines, journals, periodicals or newsletters to their members or supporters, but which would prefer to do so digitally for environmental and economic reasons. The decision could also have implications for organisations already providing members or supporters with electronic publications, such as magazines. Due to the four-year time limit to submit retrospective VAT claims, and the potential for HMRC to appeal this decision further, we strongly recommend that protective claims are submitted to prevent any potential recovery of overpaid VAT becoming time-barred. HMRC could argue that ‘unjust enrichment’ applies such that the claim is invalid because it was the ultimate consumer that bore the overcharged VAT. In many cases, the defence of unjust enrichment will be rebuttable. Until the matter in dispute is finally concluded and/or HMRC issues a revised VAST liability guidance, it is strongly recommended that taxpayers continue to account for VAT on digital publications and submit further protective where necessary. This will mean that organisations will not lose the potential to claim. 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:48 Page 142-43.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:48 Page 244 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Industry experts from specialist sectors across our region share their knowledge, insight and experience. There’s a wealth of industrial sectors across the East Midlands from its pedigree in manufacturing and construction to emerging fields such as cloud computing and game development. With experience comes knowledge and so we use our regular meet the experts feature to invite businesses from across the region to share their knowledge and offer an insight into their success. This latest edition brings you leaders in law, recycling and security systems, with companies that have carved out a renowned reputation for their services and continued excellence. Doing business locally has often been a phrase trumpeted by those in the region who want to have more customers, with some cynically using it as a way to try and shame local companies into using them as suppliers. Nowadays, however, the focus has changed, and local companies are promoting themselves not only on how close they are geographically, but upon their expertise and incredible customer service. Over the next few pages, you’ll meet businesses that have risen to leaders in their respective fields so you can trust that the knowledge you’ll receive is trusted and proven. Who knows, you might even find a new supplier or get the ball rolling on a new contract. Experts in their field 44-45.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:53 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 45 MEET THE EXPERTS Eden Court, Crow Hill Drive, Mansfield, NG19 7AE Tel: 01623 782 784 Web: www.hopkins-solicitors.co.uk Email: info@hopkins-solicitors.co.uk Company profile As business owners, you likely spend hundreds or thousands of hours a year with your staff, and they often become members of your extended family. As a result, you get to know them as a person, and you want to see them happy and succeed. So when a staff member has a personal event impacts them in a negative way, our natural reaction is to want to reach out and help them. There are so many events that can cause severe disruption from divorce and bereavement, to domestic abuse issues. We offer a flexible staff benefits package that allows you to give your staff a free 1-hour legal advice consultation with one of our local solicitors in Nottingham, Mansfield, Sutton or Kirkby. Our goal is to help them understand their options, steer them down the right path and hopefully help them to get their lives back on track faster and with less stress. LEGAL SERVICES Tel: 0345 337 0000 (quote: BLM2020) Web: www.ward.com Email: enquiries@ward.com Ward is an ISO accredited, fourth generation family-run business. The largest independent metal and waste recycler in the East Midlands, we provide metal and recycling solutions for businesses nationwide , preventing over 95% of the waste we collect from ending up in landfill. Our award-winning team can advise your business on the most flexible and cost-effective waste management services to help: • Increase your recycling rates • Save time and money • Improve waste management and collections • Reduce your waste to landfill • Meet your compliance responsibilities recycle all types of waste including dry mixed waste, commercial, industrial, construction, demolition waste, green waste, plastic, paper, glass, cardboard, food, healthcare, hazardous and confidential waste. Our services include office waste collections, removal and recycling, wheelie bins, skips and containers, catering and hospitality food waste services, shredding of confidential waste and secure data destruction, textile collections and recycling commercial and industrial site clearance and land remediation. RECYCLING © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / ALEXANDER SUPERTRAMP Webeye Unit 6a, Burma Road Industrial Estate, Hazel Court, Blidworth, Mansfield, NG21 0RY Tel: (0115) 714 9990 Web: www.webeyecms.com Email: sales@webeyecms.com Company profile The webeyeSOS app from Webeye Limited transforms a smart phone into a professional quality personal safety device with unique critical safety features. The low- cost pay-as-you- go service avoids the expense of a dedicated personal safety alarm and gives an extra layer of security to your staff. To trigger an alarm, either shake the phone or discreetly press the phone's power button or on-screen button. The features in webeyeSOS enables lone workers to evaluate their own potential risks and ensure better safety and security for all. The optional 'Track Me' function allows lone workers to log in and out of daily tasks, this means their location and duration can be tracked - making it an excellent management tool. Visit webeyecms.com or call 0115 714 9990 for more details. SECURITY 44-45.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:53 Page 246 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK If you need a new car, or you just like motors, read on to see what we’ve been driving since our last issue. Must Have Motors… This is a compact estate car with a coupe-like roofline. Come to think of it; the rearward sloping shape is what does it for us in the looks department: that and the rear lighting signature. The taillights are joined by a strip that also illuminates – giving the car a broad, distinctive appearance. Inside, you get heated faux-leather seats with powered lumbar support for the front occupants. A leather-trimmed, heated steering wheel and an eight-inch infotainment screen are also welcome features. Behind the wheel, the 1.6-litre diesel, as supplied in our review car, offers good pulling power. Linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Kia will do 0- 62mph in 9.8 seconds. Its maximum speed is 124mph. But perhaps more important is the ProCeed’s excellent fuel efficiency. You can get over 50mpg in this model on an average run; it feels like the car has a tank that keeps on giving. Co2 emissions of 110g/km aren’t bad either, making you wonder why the “demonization” of diesel is the fashionable thing to do. Fast Facts Kia ProCeed 1.6 CRDI GT Line DCT7 Max speed: 124 mph 0-62 mph: 9.8 sec Combined mpg: 54.3 Engine layout: 1598cc, 4-cylinder turbo diesel Max. power (PS): 136 CO2: 110 g/km Price: £25,785 Kia ProCeed 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:58 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 47 AUTOLINK It is a Japanese car scene legend. Yes, the name ‘Supra’ brings joy to automotive aficionados everywhere. And guess what? It’s back. Toyota has been teasing us with the model’s return for what seems like forever. And it’s the beast we’ve been hoping for. Looks-wise, the car is bold and brawny – and this mirrors what’s under the metal, too. Beneath the lengthy bonnet, there’s a bulging six-cylinder powerplant, just bursting at the seams with clout. Then there’s the cosy, well-equipped cabin for two under the Toyota’s roof – and the obligatory rear spoiler. So, if you’re a parent, this isn’t going to be your main family transport - it’s a toy - and a £54,000 one at that. You will get your child in the only seat beside you. And, yes, there’ll be squabbles if you have more than one offspring. If you’re buying this for play purposes – and you will be - the 3.0-litre lump will please you. It is silky-smooth, pushing out 340ps, propelling the Toyota to 62mph in 4.3 seconds via an eight-speed auto box. Oh, and the top speed is 155mph. That is licence-losing territory right there. 2020’s rear-wheel-drive Supra is a clear triumph when it comes to entertainment. But it’s a lot of dosh for a non-premium marque. Happily, though, the car’s cabin is generously trimmed and is a more pleasant place to sit than, say, a similarly priced Porsche. Admirers of fast cars from the Far East will be delighted to learn, then, that the Supra’s return to these shores is a victory. It is a talented sports car with hot looks and a responsive rear end. We just wish we had a spare £54,000, because it was hard to give this motor back after a week behind its wheel. Fast Facts Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Pro Max speed: 155 mph 0-62 mph: 4.3 sec Combined mpg: 34.45 Engine layout: 2998cc, 6- cylinder turbo petrol Max. power (PS): 340 CO2: 170g/km Price: £54,000 Toyota Supra 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:58 Page 248 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Skoda Scala If you’re after a compact hatchback, look no further than the Skoda Scala. This new car from the Czech automaker offers space and versatility as well as good looks. On the move, the Scala is fun to drive, shifting gracefully around corners with hardly any body roll. The steering is pin-sharp, making the car easy to manoeuvre at all speeds, but particularly so in town. Performance is surprisingly quick in the Scala, with the 1.0 TSI 115ps engine automatic on test here, capable of 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds. The fuel economy is equally impressive, with the model averaging out a frugal 40+mpg. CO2 emissions are low as well at 116g/km, meaning road tax will only set you back £145 after the car’s first birthday. The seven-speed automatic transmission moves fluidly through the gears, making the DSG version of the Scala an effortless drive, especially if you regularly need to drive in stop-start traffic. In SE L trim, the Scala gets a bunch of features that sound as if they belong to a “prestige” badged car. Kit includes navigation with a 9.2-inch colour touchscreen, dual- zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, and a leather multifunction steering wheel. Fast Facts Skoda Scala SE L 1.0 TSI 115PS DSG Max speed: 123 mph 0-62 mph: 9.9 sec Combined mpg: 47.1-41.5 Engine layout: 999cc, 3- cylinder turbo petrol Max. power (PS): 115 CO2: 116 g/km Price: £22,000 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:59 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 49 AUTOLINK Volvo S60 T5 Inscription Plus Automatic Buy or lease an S60, and you’ll never go back to any other saloon. This is a well-built, exquisite executive express that’ll serve you well. Sure, saloons don’t have the practicality of a hatchback or an estate, but the load area in the S60 will take a bunch of suitcases or even a set of golf clubs - if that’s the kind of pastime you enjoy. The car is big, but it never feels oversized in town, or when parking. There’s a lot of gadgetry in the Volvo to help you with that anyway. The S60 will seat five people comfortably, and it’ll get you and your passengers to places quickly. Zero to 62mph only takes 6.5 seconds, and the top speed is 145mph. That’s hot-hatch territory. The only downside to a vehicle with this kind of performance is a lack of efficiency. It’s by no means a thirsty motor, but it’s not the most frugal, either. You’re looking at getting 35.3-39.8mpg, and CO2 emissions are 152g/km. Fast Facts Volvo S60 T5 Inscription Plus Automatic Max speed: 145 mph 0-62 mph: 6.3 sec Combined mpg: 35.3 - 39.8mpg Engine layout: 1969cc, 4-cylinder turbo petrol Max. power (PS): 250 CO2: 152 g/km Price: £38,835 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 09:59 Page 4Next >