North Lincolnshire’s biggest ever Jobs Expo is back
The region’s biggest jobs fair takes place next week, with hundreds of opportunities for anyone who wants to change their future.
Some of the region’s leading employers – including Ongo, Bupa Healthcare, CANPACK UK and Rocal – will be at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe, next Wednesday, 9 February 2022, from 2.30pm to 6pm.
They will be joined by dozens of other employers from the retail, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, public sector and health and social care sectors, including Cooplands, Sawcliffe Manor, the British Army, 2 Sisters, British Steel, Humberside Fire and Rescue, Hales Group, Demeter House School – and many more.
Organised by North Lincolnshire Council in partnership with the Jobcentre and the Department for Work and Pensions, the event follows the success of the first Jobs Expo last October, which saw many local people take on new roles.
Anyone looking for an exciting new opportunity, or for the next step in their career, is urged to take advantage of the current jobs market, with companies looking for committed workers determined to improve outcomes for themselves and their families.
Pupils from Years 11 and 13 are also invited to speak to employers about the many apprenticeship schemes and Kickstart jobs currently on offer for young people.
These provide a fantastic route into training, permanent paid employment and a fulfilling career.
Representatives from the National Careers Service will be in attendance for anyone needing advice and support on their employment journey.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their CVs and be prepared to take part in on-the-spot interviews – they could could walk out with a better job.
The Jobs Expo will be opened virtually by Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft, and North Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham will also be in attendance.
Cllr Waltham said: “The kind of North Lincolnshire we want to build relies on high-quality sustainable jobs and a well-trained, motivated workforce. The Jobs Expo helps us go a long way towards achieving this.
“The marketplace is very competitive right now and we are seeing employers competing hard to attract the right kind of employees, so there has never been a better time for people to take a step up.
“Supporting businesses to get the people and skills they need will help build back our economy better, improving the outcomes for every family in North Lincolnshire.”
The event is taking place on Wednesday 9 February 2022 from 2.30pm to 6pm at The Baths Hall, Doncaster Road, DN15 7RG.
Council readying a third round of ARG funding to support local businesses impacted by Omicron
City of York Council has agreed additional support of £300k for local businesses as a part of a third round of Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding.
On 21 December 2021, the Government announced that a further £102m will be made available for local authorities through Additional Restrictions Grant Funding to support businesses severely impacted by the rise of the Omicron variant but not able to receive any other form of Covid-19 grant support. York’s share of this top-up is £300,786.
The council is currently developing a process to allocate the top-up to York businesses affected by Omicron. Further details will be shared shortly.
Aside from the third ARG top-up, City of York Council has previously received £7,489,016 of ARG funding out of which £7.2m has already been allocated to support local businesses.
From the existing ARG fund, the council will allocate £106k to extend the previous ARG regime for the period from 18 July to 20 December 2021 to support businesses reliant on international travel and therefore experiencing significantly reduced income.
A further £50k will be allocated to expand the budget for the council’s successful Business Growth Voucher Scheme, supporting existing commitments made to applicants, and another £50k to support a broader range of festivals and events to take place across York.
Cllr. Andrew Waller, the council’s Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning, said: “Although national Covid-19 restrictions have lifted, this remains a very challenging time for many of our local businesses some of whom saw cancellations hit their business over what had been hoped to be a busy Christmas period. The key aspect here is to maintain jobs across the city recognising that some businesses are under pressure.
“The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme has been a lifeline to local small businesses. The latest round of our ARG scheme aims to support sectors most severely impacted by the rise of the Omicron variant including travel and tourism, companies dealing with events, and the wide range of hair and beauty sector as well as other businesses missing out on previous Government schemes for whom we have been making representation to Government.”
Cllr. Darryl Smalley, the council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities, said: “Like many parts of our local economy, the events sector in York has faced major financial hurdles due to Covid-19. The ARG fund has previously supported safe, large-scale events across the city, such as Jorvik Viking Festival, York Food and Drink Festival, York Design Week and Aesthetica Film Festival which were a huge success and delivered a much-needed boost to both our economy and wellbeing.
“This additional £50k support will ensure that more engaging events can be organised – ensuring that all residents have something exciting to pop on the fridge calendar, as well as securing York’s world-renowned reputation as a city of experiences as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Albion Square: Demolition to pave way for transformative £96m regeneration project in heart of Hull
The transformative multi-million pound Albion Square development will begin to take shape this month with the start of the demolition of the former BHS and Co-Op buildings on the derelict city centre site.
VINCI Building will begin demolishing and clearing the site, ahead of a huge regeneration project that will include the creation of modern homes, retail and leisure units, office space and a stunning new urban park.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said: “The Albion Square development is a key priority for our city. It is a vitally important site, in the heart of our city centre, but it is in desperate need of regeneration.
“I think with any project of this scale, it is when work begins on site and we start to see the transformation taking place that the ambition becomes a reality – so I can’t wait to see work begin this month.
“Albion Square will play an important role in the ongoing regeneration of our city centre, complimenting the millions of pounds of projects and investment we’ve already seen, whilst also encouraging and supporting new businesses and investment.
“This is one of the largest regeneration projects in the North and reflects the confidence in the city shown by investors such as Reckitt and Siemens.”
The Albion Square development is the catalyst for a wider package of city centre regeneration works and is being supported as part of a £19.5m grant that the Council has secured from HM Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The project has also been supported with £2.5m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund, which was secured by the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP as part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.
The demolition will take 80 weeks to complete. The careful and complex process includes the removal of remaining asbestos that is present in the fabric of the buildings, as well as the safeguarding of three existing murals, which includes the Grade II listed Three Ships Mural, that are being retained as part of the development. The demolition, asbestos removal and works to retain the murals will cost £7.6m.
The demolition and asbestos removal is being delivered by the Council’s Construction Partner, VINCI Construction Ltd.
Chris Winspear, VINCI Building’s Regional Director said: “This important development will transform the city centre. Working in partnership with Hull City Council, we are delighted to commence this complex demolition contract as a significant first step towards realising this ambitious project.”
The Albion Square development in Hull city centre will feature a mixture of residential, office and retail space, as well as a large urban park.
The eco-friendly and environmentally responsible project will include solar panels, EV charging points and a bike hub where cyclists will be able to store bikes.
At the centre of the site, a new urban woodland will reconnect communities with city centre green space, allowing nature back into our urban areas through rewilding.
Hull’s iconic Three Ships Mural will remain and be incorporated into the new development, alongside two other murals, the Fish Mural and Sponge Mural, currently located on the upper floors of the former BHS Building.
Construction on the site is set to start in 2023. The project is due to be completed in 2026.
Transport for the North boss visits Hull to help unlock city’s economic potential
Transport for the North chief executive Martin Tugwell is visiting Hull on February 3 to set out how TfN’s Northern Transport Charter can help to unlock the city’s economic potential and in particular the key role that investment in its transport system can have.
The visit began this morning at Hull Paragon Interchange, where Mr Tugwell met with Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, along with senior council officers, to hear first-hand their views on the opportunities across the city’s transport network and how TfN can support them in making the case for the investment that will support local residents and businesses.
Mr Tugwell then visited the Murdoch’s Connection footbridge over the A63, then the Mytongate Underpass site to view the plans and progress on the A63 Castle Street project.
Next stop was the R-evolution cycle hub at Trinity Market, before Mr Tugwell headed to the Guildhall, for a lunch and further discussions on how TfN can support Hull with its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 and on the need to continue to press for improved connectivity with the rest of the North in support of the economy.
During the visit, TfN’s newly appointed chair, Lord Patrick McLoughlin, will join Mr Tugwell in Hull to meet with leaders in the region, including the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Lynn Petrini.
Launched at TfN’s annual conference last September, the Northern Transport Charter sets out a road map towards further long-term devolution of transport-related powers to the North.
Mr Tugwell said: “Hull has seen underinvestment in its transport system for too long. As a global gateway to the UK, now with Freeport status, Hull’s ambition, enterprise and aspiration need to be supported if we are to see levelling up in action.
“I’ve seen first-hand what can be done in Hull when it is given the opportunity. The works to the A63, which will improve access to the port, relieve congestion and integrate active travel networks, are just one example of the type of transport investment needed to support growth and enhance connectivity.
“Like many in Hull, we were disappointed that the published Integrated Rail Plan did not include specific proposals for Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. However, we remain committed to working with the area’s political and business leaders to make the case for the investment that will help support Hull’s ambition.
“Our Northern Transport Charter sets out our offer to Government that shows by strengthening our collaboration we can unlock the economic potential of Hull and the wider North.”
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council and the city’s representative on the TfN board, said: “The North of England has experienced prolonged underinvestment over many years, and the contribution that Hull could make has been discounted for too long.
“The city has much to offer but there must be a process of levelling up and investing in the North to enable the economic potential of the city to be realised.
“Working as a strategic partner alongside Transport for the North provides us with greater opportunity to secure future transport investment, deliver an integrated transport network that is fit for purpose and meet the challenges that face us and every other major town and city.”
Launched at TfN’s annual conference last September, the charter sets out a road map towards further long-term devolution of transport-related powers to the North.
New waste management facility set to produce low-carbon fuel and minimise environmental impact in Hull
The Council’s waste disposal contractor, Geminor, has awarded a contract to construction company Keltbray that will see building work begin on a new facility in late January.
The new waste management site, based on St Mark Street, will produce refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from Hull’s domestic waste collections, which cannot otherwise be recycled. The low-carbon fuel will mostly be used to power the Energy Works Hull facility, based on Cleveland Street and adjacent to the new facility.
The development, consisting of a 3,400 square-metre hall for the sorting and treatment of municipal and commercial wastes, will create jobs locally and use the latest technology in the industry; namely odour abatement, weighbridge systems and a state-of-the-art fire suppression system.
The construction process will take approximately 46 weeks and the facility aims to be in operation by the end of 2022, working towards the Council’s aim to minimise environmental impact and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Councillor Rosie Nicola, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, said: “The development of this new facility is great news for Hull. Not only will it create jobs locally, but it cements us as a forward-thinking city – working towards the collective aim of carbon neutrality and reducing negative impacts on the environment.
“Local facilities add resilience to the services we provide and this new waste management site will ensure we can create sustainable fuel on our doorstep in the long term.”
James Maiden, Country Manager at Geminor UK, said: “We are delighted to start the construction of our new and modern processing facility in Hull, and we’re looking forward to working together to create a low-carbon fuel from Hull City Council’s waste.”
Activity remains strong but cost pressures set to intensify further for SME manufacturers
UK SME output volumes grew at a firm pace in the three months to January whilst costs growth remained at its record high, according to the latest CBI SME Trends Survey.
The survey of 218 SME manufacturers found that output growth picked up slightly from the previous quarter and is expected to grow at a broadly similar pace in the next three months.
However, average unit costs maintained their record pace of growth for the second quarter in a row, with expectations pointing to cost inflation picking up further in the next three months.
Record costs growth has continued to feed into heightened price pressures. Average domestic prices grew at a slightly slower – but still elevated – pace in the three months to January, while average export prices increased at a similar rate to last quarter’s record high. Manufacturers expect both domestic and export price growth to pick up in the next three months.
Total new orders grew strongly over the quarter to January, reflecting firm domestic orders growth and another small rise in export orders. SME manufacturers expect total new orders growth to slow over the next three months, primarily reflecting a deceleration in domestic orders growth. In contrast, export orders are expected to accelerate slightly.
Supply challenges are still expected to hamper activity going forward, with concerns over the availability of skilled labour, “other” labour, and materials/components as factors likely to limit output remaining heightened (despite softening somewhat on last quarter).
Meanwhile, investment intentions for tangible and intangible assets in the next 12 months (compared to the last 12 months) strengthened, despite a dip in business sentiment over the past quarter.
Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist, said: “It’s been a challenging start to the year for SME manufacturers, with record cost growth, supply chain disruption, and labour shortages all weighing on production. Despite these roadblocks, activity has remained firm, and businesses have stepped up their investment plans.
“The Government must continue to work with business to tackle immediate barriers to growth. They must also put forward more ambitious plans to incentivise investment, to boost the longer-term growth potential of the economy.”
Director level promotion at Dacres for HR expert
A human resources (HR) professional with more than 17 years’ experience has been promoted to the board of directors at Yorkshire estate agent, Dacre, Son & Hartley.
Rebecca Reeves has worked for Dacres for four years as its HR manager. Before that she worked in both the private and public sector for a range of businesses including Johnson and Johnson, Bupa and the Freight Transport Association.
Last year, she also became the compliance support manager at Dacres. Rebecca completed her CIPD qualification at Huddersfield University in 2010 and became a Chartered Member of the CIPD in 2012. Since then, she completed IOSH Safety for Directors and Executives in 2019 and IOSH Managing Safely in 2021.
Rebecca said: “I have overall responsibility for HR and Health and Safety across the firm, delivering people management and wider business improvement solutions that have a positive impact on business performance. I am incredibly passionate about the role I undertake at Dacres and enjoy supporting all 117 members of our team and working with them to develop their full potential.
“In the four years I have been with Dacres, I have thrived on every challenge put before me and I am incredibly grateful to be offered such a fantastic opportunity. Dacres is a thriving business, with a great team, that is committed to delivering great service to our clients.”
Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, said: “Since Rebecca joined us, she has focussed on change management initiatives, including recruitment and retention, policies and procedures, health and safety compliance, learning and development, and employee engagement strategies.
“Rebecca plays a very important part in our business and in her new role, she will ensure we focus on recruiting and retaining the best talent in Yorkshire, as well as supporting our team and board to achieve its commercial objectives.”
Transformation of key heritage building starts in Sowerby Bridge
The planned transformation of a key heritage building into a thriving community hub in Sowerby Bridge town centre has taken a leap forward.
Building work has started on the former fire station, swimming pool and Council offices on Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge, to give them a new lease of life and create a range of facilities for local people.
Calderdale Council and the Sowerby Bridge Fire & Water community group are working together to develop the hub. A share of Calderdale’s £2 million grant from the government’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme, delivered by Historic England, is going towards funding the work.
The national High Streets Heritage Action Zones programme is a £95 million government-funded initiative led by Historic England and designed to secure lasting improvements to historic high streets, fuelling economic, social and cultural recovery and breathing new life into them for future generations.
Construction work for the Fire & Water building includes bringing the three main blocks along Hollins Mill Lane up to a standard where they can be used for as many community activities as possible.
Windows and floors will be replaced, repairs made, disabled toilets added to all three floors, a Changing Places facility and a new fire escape created, underfloor heating installed and powered by a climate-friendly air source heat pump, plus many other alterations and improvements. New steel beams are now in place and construction of the first toilets is well underway.
The Council is also working with Historic England and local communities on other HSHAZ schemes in Sowerby Bridge to revive disused buildings, restore local historic character, improve public areas and increase footfall during the day.
The HSHAZ-funded work complements the ongoing development of the Sowerby Bridge masterplan, which is being produced with the community-led Sowerby Bridge Town Development Board and aims to improve the transport network, create more green spaces, reduce the risk of flooding and encourage more walking and cycling to help tackle the climate emergency and boost people’s health and wellbeing.
Cllr Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said: “We know how much Sowerby Bridge’s heritage features mean to local people, visitors, our economy and Calderdale’s distinctive story. We want to make the best use of these historic features, along with a range of other improvements, to boost what is already a vibrant high street.
“The High Streets Heritage Action Zone programme will help achieve this, and we’re delighted to reach a major milestone in this work as construction gets underway on the exciting Fire & Water community hub.
“We are fortunate to have really passionate community partners who share our commitment to build strong and sustainable towns as part of our inclusive economic recovery.”
Phil Hawdon, chair of Sowerby Bridge Fire & Water, said: “Fire & Water has a very big dream, and whilst our DIY volunteers have successfully carried out lots of work, and continue to do so, this is the first big phase and it’s great to see it progressing daily.
“So, after over 11 years of commitment to Fire & Water and the Sowerby Bridge community, with hundreds of small scale and a number of large scale events under our belts, we are rapidly moving toward the time when we can widen our outreach and offer so much more to the town and its residents and groups. It’s a great stage to have reached and Sowerby Bridge well deserves it.”
Craig Broadwith, from Historic England, said: “It’s wonderful news that work is now underway on Fire & Water Community Hub. This is an important initial step towards reinvigorating the area and unlocking its full potential, helping to create an attractive and thriving town centre.”
Plans revealed for new green development in heart of Barnsley town centre
Barnsley people are being asked for their views on innovative plans to develop an eco-friendly business and community district in the heart of the town centre.
New plans for The Seam digital campus include energy-efficient housing, green open spaces, improved facilities for cyclists and walkers and a multi-storey car park with electric vehicle charging points.
The Seam is already home to two Digital Media Centres and Barnsley College’s SciTech building. Its car park is used by commuters and shoppers and many have also visited the COVID-19 testing centre located on this site in recent months.
Proposals to develop the area have been drawn up by Barnsley Council and sustainable design consultants Arcadis, working with BDP Architects.
The aim is to build new facilities around the existing business and learning centres to create an ‘urban village’ using the latest ideas in landscape and building design and digital technology to create a safe, smart and sustainable living and working environment.
Cllr Tim Cheetham, Barnsley Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “We are putting forward a range of new and future-focused ideas for The Seam and would love to gain the opinions of people who already use the site whether they work, study, visit or simply park here.
“Our plans are bold and aim to push current boundaries and use technology, data and high- quality design to create a vibrant neighbourhood where people can live, work, learn and explore new ideas.”
The proposals being considered include a new 400 space multi-storey car park with, initially, 40 electric car charging points and new smart technology which will enable drivers to check ahead for spaces.
Also on the drawing board is a network of green spaces and walkways designed for environmental and community benefit with smart lighting and security features.
An ‘active travel hub’ is proposed where cyclists and walkers can access safe bike storage, shower and toilet facilities, bike, electric bike and scooter hire plus a green commuters’ café.
Finally, a new energy-efficient housing development is planned for the site which will incorporate innovative ideas in low-carbon design and construction to support greener living.
The Seam is a two-minute walk from Barnsley’s Transport Interchange and covers an area which extends either side of County Way between Regent Street and Old Mill Lane.
The council aspires to be carbon neutral across the authority by 2040 and across the borough by 2045 and this development aims to champion energy and resource efficiency, support the move to more sustainable transport options and create well-planned green spaces for people and the planet.
Cllr Cheetham said: “We’re keen to gain public comment on these proposals to help us develop this part of Barnsley town centre for the future.”
The public consultation on The Seam will run throughout February. The results will then feed into the next stage of the design works. There will be a further opportunity to comment at the planning permission stage.
The Seam consultation can be completed online or hard copies can be reviewed at the Library @ The Lightbox in the town centre.
Business Productivity Grant helps PolyProducts turn up heat on future growth plans
A Sheffield manufacturer is hoping to create at least 20 new jobs over the next five years after securing funds from the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme to improve its manufacturing process.
Starting production during the pandemic in 2020, PolyProducts manufactures a wide range of plastic products ranging from aquatics and garden products to defibrillator cases and even radar components, which are manufactured using vacuum forming and rotational moulding. The company is part of the Poly Group of Companies, which has been trading in Sheffield for almost 40 years, with PolyProducts employing nine members of staff, and presently recruiting further employees.
When company owners Julie Garner and Andrew Oldale spotted an opportunity to create a new range of products, they invested in purchasing a second-hand rotational moulding machine and began exploring ways of making it operate more efficiently as well as finding ways to make cost savings on its gas and energy consumption. The business secured a match-funded grant, to improve the operation and productivity of the machine.
Rotational moulding is a process that sees plastic resin placed into a mould, which is heated. As the plastic melts, the machinery rotates to create an even coating of plastic within the mould. The problem they faced was that parts of some of their moulds needed to be heated by hand, which was a very time-consuming process. The machine operating system needed to be modified to improve production cycle times and efficiency of the oven and burner.
COVID-19 forced PolyProducts to re-think business priorities, as the production of vacuum formed marquee panels to the events market temporarily ceased. The company owners redeployed its workforce elsewhere in the business to ensure the rotational moulding machine was ready to start producing and began working with Business Sheffield to review the way in which the business operated.
After securing a match-funded grant through the Business Productivity Programme, Andrew and Julie implemented new software in the business, allowing the cycle times and temperature of the machine to be controlled more effectively. The improved controls have helped PolyProducts to automate parts of its manufacturing process, increasing capacity as well as making significant savings on its energy bills.
Since implementing the technology, PolyProducts has added over seven hours production each week due to the amount of time spent preparing and monitoring its specialist machinery. PolyProducts is now planning to invest in purchasing additional rotational moulding machines, and as a result of the increased capacity it is hoping to create over 20 new jobs in the business during the next five years.
Julie Garner, director, PolyProducts UK, said: “When Covid 19 forced us to re-think our priorities, we used the time to review all aspects of the business, and the help we received from Business Sheffield enabled us to create significant time savings in our manufacturing processes.
“The grant funding we secured has helped the business to operate more effectively, and I estimate that we will be able to save around £50,000 per annum due to the changes we’ve made. This will enable us to invest in more machinery, create additional jobs in the business and expand the range of products we manufacture.”
Dan Wilkinson, key account manager, South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme, said: “PolyProducts is a business that produces an incredibly diverse range of products. However, faced with a changing marketplace and rising energy costs, the company knew it needed to invest in its equipment to meet customer demand. When Covid-19 forced them to re-evaluate priorities, they used the time to look at ways of reducing the time taken to produce its range of products as well as increasing capacity within the factory.
“The specialist machinery used by PolyProducts can cost up to £500,000, so the challenge they faced was how to build on their existing equipment by embracing new ways of working. The support received through the Business Productivity Grant has helped PolyProducts to not only operate more efficiently in terms of the amount of energy it needs to manufacture its product range but has also helped to create new skilled jobs within the business as well as helping it to seize new market opportunities.”
