Leeds Trinity University signs agreements with employers

Tess Egginton
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Leeds Trinity University signs agreements with employers

Leeds Trinity University has signed the first Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with three organisations as part of a new project to enrich student education and opportunities.

Leeds-based digital services company Hippo, Liberty Shared Services (part of Liberty Global, which has offices in Bradford and London), and UST – a Digital Transformation Solutions Company which provides services on a global scale – have signed the MOUs as part of the University’s employer partnership agreements. The opportunities that will be provided to Leeds Trinity students through the enhanced partnerships include a mix of work placements, certification pathways and mentoring. In return, employer partner organisations will benefit from access to a pool of skilled and well-prepared graduates, fostering innovation and growth within their companies. With a particular focus on businesses in the tech and law industries initially, the University’s Employer Partnership project is intended to strengthen opportunities for Leeds Trinity students to work with employers in Leeds as it establishes itself as a key education provider and partner for the sectors. Professor Catherine O’Connor, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Experience) at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We have long-standing and embedded ways of working with employers with regards to placements. These new partnership agreements give us the opportunity to reinforce our approach to working with businesses to support our students in developing their skills, understanding and pathways to their future careers. We’re delighted at the commitment from employers to being involved with the curriculum to enrich student education and opportunities. “Along with the opening of our second campus in the heart of Leeds City Centre, this work cements our commitment to supporting growth and the demand for skills across the city and region.” Commenting on the MOU signing, Liz Whitefield, Founder and Executive Director of Hippo, said: “Being part of the great digital and tech community in Leeds is something Hippo is proud of, but we have always known the part we must (and love to) play in helping to close the digital skills gap and engaging with educational institutions like Leeds Trinity is vital to that. “We have had a longstanding relationship with Leeds Trinity and this MOU takes that to another level, showing the joint commitment between education and industry. The active role our digital professionals play in supporting the initiatives brings real world delivery experience closer to the students.” Chloe Wood, Chief of Staff at Liberty Financial Services, said: “I am excited about this partnership with Leeds Trinity University, which acknowledges our joint commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. “The partnership provides students with invaluable industry experience, enhancing their career readiness whilst shaping the future of our industry. This partnership allows us to develop graduate courses that are aligned with real-world demands and emerging trends, ensuring that the next generation of graduates is well-equipped to lead and innovate.” Praveen Prabhakaran, UK Managing Director and Global Chief Delivery Officer at UST, said: “Our focus has been around transforming lives by designing engagements that can have a meaningful impact for the communities. “Our Leeds Digital Development centre was designed to promote digital talent from the local community, and we are delighted to be an official employer partner of Leeds Trinity University and to be able to provide opportunity to support their students throughout their studies and future careers. “Our partnership will revolve around how we can deliver skills and solutions in the Generative AI, Cyber Security, Data Science and Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) space, providing learning for students and tangible benefits for the University.”

Industrial site in Yorkshire Dales comes onto the market

Stuart Pearcey
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Industrial site in Yorkshire Dales comes onto the market
One of the only vacant large-scale industrial units in the South Yorkshire Dales is for sale for about £1.25m and could be redeveloped for a variety of uses, subject to securing relevant planning consents. Langcliffe Mill, on Stainforth Road, is about a mile away from the market town of Settle and offers more than 21,000 sq ft of industrial accommodation spread across three buildings. The whole site covers more than 3.6 acres, including a large concrete yard. The site is being marketed by our Leeds-based commercial property agent, Dacres Commercial, which is seeking offers in the region of £1.25million. The vendor would also consider letting the site with an initial rent in the region of £130,000 per annum. Hedley Steel, from Dacres Commercial, said: “Industrial sites within the Yorkshire Dales National Park are very rare so we’re anticipating high levels of interest in Langcliffe Mill.”

BCC survey highlights the ‘add-ons’ that could help employers fill vacancies

Stuart Pearcey
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BCC survey highlights the ‘add-ons’ that could help employers fill vacancies
A survey of 1,300 businesses has revealed how employers can set themselves apart to attract the best job candidates. The survey, undertaken by the British Chambers of Commerce, found that although there were almost 890,000 job vacancies, there were more than nine million people who not looking for jobs. Meanwhile, BCC research shows 62% of businesses report they are experiencing skills shortages, rising to 74% for manufacturing firms. To attract and retain diverse talent fit for the future, it’s clear that businesses need to adapt their workplaces for the modern economy. It also shows 63% of businesses have no specific recruitment, training or retention plan for specific groups of workers like under 25s, over 50s, disabled or neurodiverse people, or diverse ethnicities. So, what can an employer do to make their workplace more attractive? Introducing flexible working can help employees balance work with other commitments. 14% of businesses reported they were unable to hire or retain people specifically because of childcare responsibilities, while 34% see decreased staff morale due to skills shortages. More and more firms are recognising that flexible working makes good business sense. Working from home, compressed hours and job sharing are all examples of flexibilities that could help attract and retain staff. Health and wellbeing support in the workplace is also now increasingly important to prevent illness becoming a barrier to work. BCC’s 2024 Workforce Survey showed employee uptake of occupational health provision is rising, but fewer than 4 in 10 businesses offered health and wellbeing services. For many SMEs already struggling with rising costs, reducing the tax on workplace insurance and health plans would encourage more employers to offer these services. Taking a more proactive approach to maintaining good health and supporting people back into work when they experience illness makes sense for business and the economy. Finally, what role does CSR play?  Just 1 in 10 businesses told us that they have seen any requests from employees or candidates for evidence of their organisation’s social impact. This suggests the initial focus for businesses looking to attract and retain staff should be on employee benefits and flexible working practices. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt these important commitments could play a greater role going forward. Hannah Larsen, Policy Officer, British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Employees must be supported to find and thrive in work in order to build a resilient workforce fit for the future. In a tight labour market and under high cost pressures, employers can look to non-pay benefits such as flexible working and health support to set themselves apart. “The government should also play a role in removing barriers to work, including better access to occupational health services, to help SMEs and their workforce take advantage of these benefits.”

Global sporting event set to bring boost for North Yorkshire businesses

Tess Egginton
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Global sporting event set to bring boost for North Yorkshire businesses
Businesses and local communities have spoken of their pride at showcasing North Yorkshire through a major sporting event that is aiming to boost the county’s vital visitor economy. The Long Course Weekend will be hosted next month, the first time that the internationally recognised multi-sport event has been staged in England. The event is based on the principles of the triathlon but is tailored to open up the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running to as wide an audience as possible. It is hoped that the sporting competition will bring in as much as £2 million to North Yorkshire’s economy and will attract thousands of competitors and visitors. Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Long Course Weekend, which has grown a reputation around the world as being an extremely successful sporting event. “We know how important the visitor economy is in North Yorkshire, especially in areas such as the Yorkshire Dales. “The Long Course Weekend will give us the opportunity to showcase Masham and North Yorkshire to thousands of people who will be visiting, bringing a welcome economic boost for local businesses.” The Long Course Weekend will be held in Masham from Friday, 6 September, to Sunday, 8 September. The Long Course Weekend’s founder and chief executive, Matthew Evans, said: “We are extremely excited to bring the Long Course Weekend to North Yorkshire, and we are hoping that all the local communities will embrace the opportunities it will bring. “We have a proven track record of staging these major events around the world, and it will help raise the profile of North Yorkshire even further and show what a wonderful place it is to live, work and visit.” New figures released in July revealed that tourism contributed more than £4 billion to North Yorkshire’s visitor economy last year, attracting in excess of 31 million people to the county. The data also highlighted how the local tourism industry supports 38,486 jobs through direct and indirect employment making up 13 per cent of all employment across North Yorkshire.

Green Building Renewables makes two managerial appointments

Stuart Pearcey
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Green Building Renewables makes two managerial appointments
Green Building Renewables, based at Dunnington near York, has appointed a Sales Director and a Learning & Development Manager as it seeks to spread its business nationwide. Alex Parkinson is the Sales Director, coming to the company with experience fromindustry leaders such as Bosch, Mitsubishi, and Google Nest. The company says Alex played a pivotal role at Google Nest by launching Nest PRO across multiple countries. He said: “I am excited to have joined Green Building Renewables at a pivotal time in the country’s history and the renewable energy industry. The company’s buy-and-build strategy to bring together the top renewable technology experts across the county enables us to accelerate our market growth rapidly. By combining our talents, we collectively develop industry-leading capabilities that set us apart from others in the market. Growing our sales team will play a significant role in meeting our ambitions.” Craig Stewart is the L&D Manager, and will design and implement comprehensive training to create the renewable energy experts of the future. He said: “I am passionate about education and development, and I am thrilled to bring my experience to Green Building Renewables. Together, we will build a robust training framework that supports our employees and drives the industry forward at a time when it has never been more crucial.” MD Chris Delaney said: “Alex and Craig’s appointments reflect our ambition and aims as a company to help more people live sustainable lives. Our aim to be the largest domestic renewable energy installation company by coverage depends on hiring the best staff to grow our business. Alex and Craig bring a wealth of experience in their respective fields and will play a critical role in our expansion over the next few years.”

Meta changes its stance on Facebook Marketplace data collection

Stuart Pearcey
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Meta changes its stance on Facebook Marketplace data collection
The Competition and Markets Authority has accepted proposals to vary Meta’s commitments in the way it uses data held by its advertising customers. Under the original commitments, Meta pledged to limit how it used advertising customers’ data in order to prevent it from getting an unfair advantage. Competitors of Facebook Marketplace that advertised on Meta platforms could ‘opt out’ of their data being used to improve Facebook Marketplace. The varied commitments give Meta an additional way to implement the data controls set up in the original commitments. Meta currently plans to adopt this new approach meaning that all advertisers can retain the ability to place advertisements on Facebook Marketplace and be certain of their advertising data not being used to improve Facebook Marketplace, without having to opt in or out. Having consulted advertisers and Facebook Marketplace users on the proposals, the CMA has concluded that the revisions go above and beyond the original commitments and would not leave any advertisers worse off. As a result, the CMA has accepted the proposed variation.

MP calls for probe into claims that FCA ignored whistleblower for two years

Stuart Pearcey
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MP calls for probe into claims that FCA ignored whistleblower for two years
Beverley MP Graham Stuart and seven colleagues have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for an investigation into claims that for two years the Financial Conduct Authority ignored a whistleblower’s warnings of a potential fraud. The allegation centre around a wealth management company called WealthTek, which was ordered to cease trading In April 2023, after the FCA uncovered “serious regulatory and operational issues.” It opened a criminal investigation a year later after a potential shortfall of £81.4 million in client money was discovered. However, it is alleged that the FCA failed to act on a whistleblower’s claims of potential fraud at WealthTek for over two years. These suspected fraudulent acts have been a source of significant financial and emotional distress to people affected in Beverley and Holderness and across the UK who are urgently awaiting answers. Mr Stuart said: “I am shocked and saddened to learn of the alleged fraudulent activities carried out by WealthTek. Thousands of people, including some of my constituents, trusted them to provide a service and have been left distraught by their reported actions. That’s why I’ve written to the Chancellor to urge her to commission an investigation into why action was not taken sooner by the FCA. “I will continue to support anyone affected by this in Beverley and Holderness and do all I can to help them at this very difficult time.”  

Army visits Forgemasters to assess capability for making gun barrels

Stuart Pearcey
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Army visits Forgemasters to assess capability for making gun barrels
Sheffield Forgemasters’ could start making artillery gun barrels in the UK after 20 years in the wake of a visit too Sheffield Forgemasters by the senior army official responsible for supplies including weapons and helicopters, . Lt Gen Simon Hamilton has seen Forgemasters’ existing and potential future unique capabilities which could support the Land Industrial Strategy. He said: “The visit provided real insight into a vital manufacturing facility that supports the Defence Nuclear Enterprise and a better understanding of manufacturing capabilities that could increase UK content resilience and prosperity in the Land Domain in the future.” Sheffield Forgemasters has the only deep, vertical heat-treatment system in the UK, which is an essential capability for processing long gun barrels. Gary Nutter, CEO at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We were honoured to host Lieutenant General Hamilton for a visit of our site, so that he could see at first hand how our many years of expertise and facilities that do not exist elsewhere in the UK, are key assets for UK gun barrels manufacture. “There will be a certain amount of recommissioning to specific elements of the plant in order to restart gun barrels manufacture, but the opportunity to reinstate a sovereign capability for this type of production is a great accolade for the city.” Sheffield Forgemasters has a long history of providing armaments to the UK military, including cannon, artillery and naval guns, primarily through its Vickers predecessor and supporting both world wars, but has not manufactured gun barrels for more than 20 years.

Lindum York unveils £8m racecourse redevelopment to worldwide audience

Stuart Pearcey
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0
Lindum York unveils £8m racecourse redevelopment to worldwide audience
An £8m racecourse redevelopment that’s taken Elvington-based Lindum York nine months to deliver will be showcased on an international stage today. It forms the backdrop for the 2024 Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York, and includes the Roberto Bar, refurbishment of the historic 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand, including a new ground floor extension, and a new 900 square metre Churchill Tyres Lawn and ETFE Canopy Lindum commissioned York Handmade Bricks to make 70,000 bricks, named the Ebor Range, for use in the construction. Lindum York MD James Nellist said: “We are really looking forward to seeing the Southern End fully in use for the first time. The Ebor festival is a highlight in York’s calendar, and I can’t think of a better event through which to showcase this major investment by the racecourse team. “As a local contractor, being able to play a part in maintaining and improving York Racecourse is important to us. It contributes millions of pounds to the city’s economy every year, supporting thousands of jobs and helping to maintain the livelihoods of people in our community. During this latest project, 75 per cent of our contract spend was with subcontractors and suppliers within a few miles of site. “Over the last eight years, we have developed a great working relationship with William Derby and his team and we’ve been able to support this project with practical advice and solutions from its inception, through to its design, specification and construction.  

Businesses welcome economic boost from sporting event

Stuart Pearcey
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0
Businesses welcome economic boost from sporting event
Businesses have spoken of their pride at showcasing North Yorkshire through a major sporting event aiming to boost the county’s vital visitor economy. The Long Course Weekend has chosen the county for the first time the internationally-recognised multi-sport event has been staged in England. The event is based on the principles of the triathlon, but tailored to open up the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running to as wide an audience as possible. It is hoped that the sporting competition will bring in as much as £2m to North Yorkshire’s economy by attracting thousands of competitors and visitors. Council leader Carl Les said: “We know how important the visitor economy is in North Yorkshire, especially in areas such as the Yorkshire Dales. “The Long Course Weekend will give us the opportunity to showcase Masham and North Yorkshire to thousands of people who will be visiting, bringing a welcome economic boost for local businesses.” Business owners in Masham say they believe the sporting event will be a major showcase for the area. Richard Welford, owner of the family-run Beavers Butchers on Silver Street in the town, said: “It’s a real privilege for us to be hosting the Long Course Weekend, and it will bring so many people to the area. It is not just about the weekend, though, as we know people will come back. This has happened before when people have said they loved the area while visiting and decided to book another stay. “The organisers have engaged with the local community and have held meetings in the Town Hall to answer any questions people may have. I am really looking forward to it, and I am sure we will be able to show Masham and North Yorkshire in the best light possible.” The Long Course Weekend will be held in Masham from Friday, 6 September, to Sunday, 8 September.     The swim distances range from 1.2 miles to 2.4 miles, cycling routes will be from 56 miles to 112 miles and the run will start at five kilometres to a full marathon. There will also be a children’s running event to encourage all members of the family to get involved.     The event was established in Wales in 2010, and now has annual competitions taking place across the globe including in Holland, Belgium, Mallorca, Australia and New Zealand.
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