New network seeks to address skill shortages to transform Yorkshire economy
Employers and educators are being urged to collaborate to enhance skills in an effort to transform Yorkshire’s economy.
Skill shortages have continually topped the priority list for businesses and public organisations large and small across the region, so a new network is being formed to bring together businesses, the public sector, universities, colleges and training providers to deliver a skills agenda that meets the needs of the economies of West and North Yorkshire.
Figures from the Learning and Work Institute show that the UK skills shortage could cost the country £120 billion by 2030, and statistics published by the British Chamber of Commerce this year showed that the majority of service sector (65 per cent) and manufacturing firms (79 per cent) experienced difficulties in identifying and acquiring the right candidates.
The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIPS), funded by the Department for Education, aims to address this by putting the voice of local employers at the centre of the learning and skills system to build a stronger partnership between employers and further education providers.
The aim is to make provision more responsive to employers’ needs and help address issues with staffing and productivity across the region. With the skill requirements of a SME in Wakefield or Leeds likely to be far different from a market town in North Yorkshire, the new system will help tailor training in accordance with these individual needs.
The LSIPs are being administered jointly by both the West & North Yorkshire and Mid-Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce who are now calling for both the private and educational sectors to step forward and join the programme so that both young people entering the workforce, and those currently in employment, have the tools they need to play a full role in the region’s economy.
James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Even prior to the pandemic, businesses have been struggling to find the best talent to drive their firms forward. This has kept productivity low and hampered growth.
“With LSIPs, we can change all of this. Government has approved our two bids to administer the programmes in both West and North Yorkshire.
“We now want to become the convening point that brings together both the educational and employment sector to begin discussing how we can deliver a skills agenda that is both designed and delivered here in Yorkshire to meet our own needs.
“We want to hear from as many voices as possible so do not miss out on your chance to be part of this new era for the region’s economy.”
Martin Hathaway, managing director of Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “For years businesses have been lamenting the paucity of skill levels in our workforce. Now we have an historic opportunity to empower our workforces and employers with the tools they need to thrive in a modern economy.
“Now is your chance to be part of this journey and we look forward to working with you to deliver this vision.”
Crest Nicholson’s Yorkshire division makes first land acquisition
Housebuilder, Crest Nicholson, has completed the first land acquisition for their Yorkshire division.
The 6-acre parcel of land, marketed by JLL’s Yorkshire and North East office, received an unprecedented amount of interest, resulting in a total of 25 bids being received for the much sought after opportunity in Sprotbrough, on the edge of Doncaster.
The acquisition, led by Crest Nicholson’s regional director Guy Evans, marks a major milestone for the housebuilder’s expansion into Northern England, with the division planning to build 600 homes annually – playing a key role in Crest Nicholson’s growth strategy to deliver over 4,000 new home completions annually by 2026.
The new development, located between Melton Road & Cadeby Road in the affluent village of Sprotbrough, is an allocation of Doncaster’s Local Plan. Subject to planning, Crest Nicholson will deliver a mix of approximately 70 open market and affordable homes for the community.
It will incorporate Crest Nicholson’s new house type range, providing a mix of homes from one bedroom apartments to five bedroom houses, with the first completions expected in Summer 2024.
Guy Evans, regional director of Crest Nicholson Yorkshire, said: “The acquisition of Sprotbrough is a significant milestone for Crest Nicholson as we expand into the North. We are actively seeking sought after locations, such as Sprotbrough, given its proximity to the city of Doncaster and connections to other key locations within the region, as part of our commitment to delivering high-quality homes and communities across Yorkshire.”
Bradford gears up for fifth annual Manufacturing Weeks
More than 30 businesses and hundreds of students across Bradford are gearing up to take part in the district’s fifth Bradford Manufacturing Weeks careers initiative.
The students will share experiences of a career in Bradford’s manufacturing sector, including pupils of Oastlers School in Bradford and Keighley who are working with Cleckheaton-based cosmetic and personal care manufacturer Orean.
Based on West 26 Industrial Estate in Cleckheaton and employer of a 238-strong local workforce, Orean creates skin and hair products for national and international beauty brands, specialising in first-to-market innovation, manufacture, filling, distribution and export.
“Roles here include marketing, accounting, logistics, chemistry and of course hands on manufacturing,” explains Orean’s Company Social and Responsibility Officer Katy Trewartha. “Our success has been built on the rich history of manufacturing in Yorkshire and a huge part of that is due to our local workforce, a growing number of which are school leavers and apprentices.
“Bradford Manufacturing Weeks is a fantastic way for us to meet the next generation of business leaders and ensure today’s students understand the range of fulfilling careers right here on their doorstep.”
Led by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks (3-14 October) introduces students to a career in manufacturing through work placements, manufacturer tours, work experience and skills events to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Robert Fairbairn, Head of Centre at Oastlers’ Keighley site, said: “Thanks to Bradford Manufacturing Weeks we now have connections with a range of manufacturers across the district. We’re also entering the Bradford Manufacturing Weeks 2022 competition which asks schools to focus on creating something in line with the UN’s sustainability goals. We’re hoping our students’ entry will be so good, it’ll end up in permanent residence at Orean’s factory in Cleckheaton!”
The West and North Yorkshire Chamber’s Bradford Manufacturing Weeks initiative is delivered in partnership with Bradford-based school and career specialists The Opportunity Centre and is sponsored by Bradford Council, E3 Recruitment, the University of Bradford, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Naylor Wintersgill and LCF Law.
New for 2022 are specialist manufacturing site visits and events for pupils with special educational needs, alongside University of Bradford faculty tours and the popular “Women in Manufacturing” Q&A event and a mix of virtual and in person “Meet the Manufacturer” and “Meet the Apprentice” panel events. A Dragon’s Den-style competition themed “Tech for Good” is also aimed at encouraging students to solve a problem based around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Orean’s Katy Trewartha added: “Manufacturing in Yorkshire has a bright future and the talented students in our local schools add a real spark to our business. We’re supporting the Oastler learners with their “Tech for Good” competition entry and looking forward to welcoming students from Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College who are touring our factory and taking part in sensory product analysis workshops during the October fortnight.
“We are so grateful to Bradford Manufacturing Weeks for providing additional opportunities to introduce students to our business and helping us secure our future pipeline of talent.”
The Bradford Manufacturing Weeks “Tech for Good” competition is open to students in the Years 7-9, 10-13 and SEND categories. Deadline for entries is Friday October 14 and presentations to the judging “Dragons” will be held on November 17.
Travel company rescued by Rotherham firm following administration deal
Leger Shearings Group (LSG) has sealed an administration deal, which will see the Rotherham-based escorted tours company acquire the Arena Travel brand and assets.
Arena Travel, which has offices in Market Harborough, went into administration on Friday 23 September with a simultaneous transition to the new ownership. The agreement will see LSG acquire the special interest and touring travel company’s database, web domains and social media pages, covering all divisions and sub-brands of Arena Travel.
As part of the agreement all fifty permanent employees will retain their jobs under the TUPE protection of employees’ rights regulations. All bookings were financially protected and LSG are enabling customers to continue with their holidays as planned, so customers won’t lose out.
The three Arena Travel offices in Market Harborough, Buckingham and Nacton, Suffolk will be taken over by LSG.
Arena Travel, which has been in business for over 45 years, is well known for its river cruise holiday and specialist niche escorted holidays, including rail and bridge holidays. Craft holidays are operated under the Stitchtopia brand and cultural and garden tours under the Boxwood and Art Pursuits brands. The company also has a music and events division with Elvis, Memphis and Germany Tours and operates unique events in partnership with the band Queen’s fan club.
Leger Shearings Group CEO Liam Race said: “I am very pleased that the Leger Shearings Group was able to acquire the Arena assets and importantly, protect jobs during these challenging times. We are offering all customers the ability to take the same holiday that they had booked with Arena Travel.
“The companies share some similar products, including an excellent UK tours selection and river cruise holidays, but Arena’s very specialist holidays will add a new high-end dimension to our current portfolio.”
Arena Travel’s Managing Director Steve Goodenough will remain in position and he said: “Arena Travel is long established and prior to the pandemic was very successful, but it came out of covid battered and bruised. Our plan was to have a year of recovery, however, travel disruption hit every aspect of industry, from port delays, to flight and baggage disruption, to low water in Europe’s rivers and it took its toll and the business became untenable.
“I am delighted to be working with the Leger Shearing Group to rebuild the business, with the backing and security of a much larger company, which shares Arena Travel’s value of good quality service. I am especially pleased that the holidays our customers have booked will still take place, without interruption or financial penalty.”
In June 2020 Leger Holidays acquired the assets of former competitor Shearings after parent company Specialist Leisure Group went into administration. The Leger Shearings Group was established in January 2021.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport to close
In shocking news, Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has announced that it will have to close despite news suggesting that had received a lifeline offer. Peel Group, behind DSA, said that the decision was made due to a fundamental lack of financial viability for the airport.
Political leaders in South Yorkshire attempted to keep the airport open (which employs 800 people) with financial offers made, but Peel Group have said that operations will wind down from the 31st October.
The company is said to be in consultation with staff, but many will be fearing for their future after the news.
Hull Chamber agrees MoU with hopes of boosting trade with Turkey
THE Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey, which it is hoped will boost trade between the two areas.
Hull & Humber Chamber board member Kirk Akdemir, who runs AA Global Language Services from its Hull HQ, hails from Turkey and visits Istanbul regularly. He is keen to see trade between the two countries expand.
He said: “As someone who operates both in Turkey as well as the UK, I know how important Turkey presently is in the region and following next year’s elections I believe it will become an even bigger player both commercially and politically. Especially during these challenging times following a pandemic, a war, and the inevitable economic crisis the world seems to be entering, it is encouraging to see BCCT and Hull & Humber Chamber making contact to strengthen relationships which I think will be extremely beneficial not only in current times but in the years to come.”
Chris explained how the BCCT had always worked closely with UK diplomats who understood what the Chamber did out there, but changes to key British Government personnel meant that continuity could sometimes be difficult.
“It is critical to use the special long term relationships with the Chambers network to boost international trade and encourage exports further at this critical time in the world economy.
“The BCCT is an excellent bi-lateral Chamber and can do business with anyone it chooses. Like in Germany, all Turkish businesses are required by public law to be members of their local Chamber, so can exchange ideas and develop new commercial contracts with a wide variety of businesses”.
Chris exchanged views on how Hull’s football club might develop having recently been bought by Turkish businessman Acun llicali, who is very well known in Turkey and has various links to Turkish President Recep Erdogan. Chris also noted there would be an election in Turkey next year, which may be quite closely contested, as the opposition to the Government had recently become much stronger, especially in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.
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.
Centrica makes its biggest-ever energy storage investment at Brigg
In its largest investment in energy storage, Centrica is to convert the decommissioned gas-fired power station at Brigg in North Lincolnshire into a battery storage facility capable of supplying the equivalent of a whole day’s energy for 11,000 homes – 15% of all homes in the local authority area.
Working in partnership with GE, the company has started construction of a 5battery storage project to provide energy storage for the 43 onshore wind farms across Lincolnshire, maximising the potential of every megawatt of green electricity and providing vital resilience for the grid.
The company says storing renewable energy in this way makes it possible to better control the peaks and troughs associated with renewable energy generation – charging the batteries when electricity demand is low and discharging when demand peaks.
The battery storage system, supplied by GE, will provide grid support and energy services that will not only provide stability to the grid when there are power disruptions but also ensure renewable energy is utilised optimally, which should free capacity to allow more new renewable generation on the network.
Greg McKenna, MD of Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Investing in low-carbon energy assets that boost the UK’s ability to store more renewable energy is key to getting to Net Zero. Lincolnshire has 242MW of onshore wind power capacity, but when supply outstrips demand some of those green electrons will go to waste if not stored. Working with GE we’ll store green energy produced locally and use it as efficiently as possible.
“As the UK’s power generation capacity becomes more distributed and the share of renewables increases, generation flexibility becomes critical to keep the lights on securely, sustainably, and affordably. Brigg battery storage investment will ensure we can maximise the use of the green energy generated by nearby wind farms – storing when the wind blows and discharging when it doesn’t.”
Prakash Chandra, renewable hybrids chief executive officer at GE, said: “The UK has been one of the earliest and largest players in the battery energy storage space and the installed capacity keeps growing. However, there is a need for more if the country wants to achieve its Net Zero emission target for the power sector by 2035. We are glad to bring another project to life together with Centrica.”
Brigg battery storage is set to be fully operational late next year with plans to run the site for 25 years. The solution implemented will be a 2-hour duration system with GE’s flexible duration architecture that will allow Centrica to modify the duration of the system in response to future grid needs and market opportunities.
Mayor’s devastated by Peel decision to pull the plug on Doncaster Airport
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard says he’s devastated by the announcement by Peel that the Group intends to close Doncaster Airport, and angry about the impact it will have on the region.
He said: “For years, we have been investing public money in and around DSA to support the airport, including providing emergency funding through the pandemic. Since the announcement by Peel that they were entering into a review of DSA, we have done everything we could to constructively and proactively find a path forward.
“We have identified market interest, brought potential investors to the table, and last week we offered them a deal to project the jobs and livelihoods of DSA staff, and to give Peel the time and space to negotiate with new investors.
“The fact that they chose to turn our offer down simply confirms what many of us suspected: that Peel was never serious about finding an alternative and safeguarding the future of DSA. It is still not too late for them to do the right thing; for them to reconsider their decision for the sake of those employees, businesses and communities directly impacted by this appalling decision. But ultimately if they cannot be stopped from taking this course of action then our focus will shift to supporting our communities through the next few difficult weeks and months.
“The only people who can now intervene to keep DSA operational are national Government. Liz Truss said she would protect the airport. Now is the moment to turn those words into action. We stand ready to work with the Government.
“Despite everything, I am proud of how our community has come together over the past few months in our efforts to protect the future of the airport. I remain steadfast in my commitment to an ambitious plan for Doncaster and South Yorkshire, and those impacted by Peel’s decision today will be at the forefront of my efforts.”
More than 800,000 new firms created in the past year, says private equity firm
More than 800,000 new businesses were created in the UK in the past year, says private equity investment firm Growthdeck.
The company says that the Covid-19 pandemic unleashed a new wave of entrepreneurialism in the UK, with many individuals have taken advantage of the opportunities available through technology and flexible working to start new businesses.
The number of new businesses created last year was only slightly down on the 836,000 created in 2020/21, which was a record high, says the company, based on its own analysis of Companies House records.
The sector that saw the most new businesses was retail, with 98,000 started last year, largely driven by online retail. The online retail sector has been a major growth industry for a number of years. The pandemic supercharged this trend as entrepreneurs took advantage of a more accessible e-commerce marketplace to turn hobbies into business ventures.
The red hot jobs market in the past two years means that recruitment is one of the sectors seeing the biggest rise in new businesses being created. Growthdeck’s figures show that the number of new businesses created in the recruitment sector rose by 11% from 8,000 to 8,900 in the last year as more recruiters sprang up to meet demand from both businesses and individuals.
Ian Zant-Boer, CEO of Growthdeck, says: “Despite the economic uncertainty hanging over the country, the number of small businesses that have been created is a sign of longer-term optimism.”
“The economic headwinds facing the UK mean we’re likely to see the number of startups start to fall in the coming months. It’s worth remembering however that the last recession triggered a wave of new startups. New businesses can grow strongly out of a recession so long as funding is in place to help them thrive.”
Growthdeck says the continued high level of new business creation highlights the need for finance to help these businesses scale up. As the country heads towards a recession, banks are likely to pull back on lending to small businesses so it is vital that the Government does everything it can to ensure businesses have access to the investment they need to scale up.
Schemes such as the Government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) offer access to crucial equity finance for scaleup businesses – something that can be in short supply during a recession.
Zant-Boer says: “EIS and SEIS already have a track record of funding some of the best British businesses to emerge from the 2008/9 financial crisis. We expect to see the same happen again through the current period of economic stress.”
