PBP News Issue 16

PBP NEWS The Newsletter for Peterlee Business Park

SPONSORED BY

Issue 16 | July-August 2017

Kelsey Richardson with ZF TRW plant manager Robin Finley and Peter Robinson from Sunderland College

ZF TRW AND MECAPLAST ARE

ENGINEERING FUTURE CAREERS TWO PBP automotive suppliers are putting young people in the fast lane as part of their ongoing apprenticeship initiatives.

Kelsey Richardson, 22, has become ZF TRW Peterlee’s first ever female engineering apprentice after the manufacturer started working with Sunderland College to help develop its next generation of talent.

The firm, which supplies automotive safety electronics to companies around the world, has been working with Sunderland College since November. The college has supported with Kelsey’s appointment, a milestone for a company which has traditionally seen male apprentices join it in engineering roles.

Kelsey said: “You don’t see that many females in engineering and it’s somewhere that I believe we should be.

“Hands-on has always been a better way of learning for me, so an apprenticeship was always going to be right for me. Coupled with a love of engineering, that I gained thanks to helping my dad take cars apart and rebuild them when I was young, this really was the best option for me.”

The Mecaplast apprentices

Meanwhile, four more budding engineers are aiming to secure full time positions when they complete their apprenticeships with Mecaplast Peterlee.

Connor Bennett, 18, Ryan Esteris, 19, Daniel Parkin, 20, and Thomas Gorham, 19, started their four-year programmes at the plant on Fiennes Road last September.

Thomas and Daniel are working in the tool room, Ryan is a machine setter and Connor is in the engineering maintenance department.

If they pass, they will be awarded an HNC in engineering and manufacturing.

The four lads each spend one day a week at East Durham College, while every other week tutor Dion Bowes visits Mecaplast to give them one-to-one support to help them progress.

The apprentices are employed by specialist training company Sora until they complete their qualifications.

Kareen James-Rawson is Mecaplast Peterlee’s HR manager. She said: “We have four great lads who are all progressing well during their time with us.”

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PBP NEWS HEADLINES

Graeme Carter

GROWTH IS THE GOAL FOR GRAEME CARTER A FORMER Newcastle United footballer has announced plans for growth as his shredding business celebrates its fourth birthday.

Graeme Carter from Wheatley Hill launched Shred Direct in 2013 and now has a portfolio of over 250 clients from Scarborough in the south to Ashington in the north.

And as the business heads into year five, Graeme has announced plans to add to his team of four with an employee to support his

two full time and one part time drivers and an administration apprentice.

free up some of my time to focus on business development.

Graeme said: “Since launching the business just over four years ago, things have steadily grown and I’m now at the point where we need additional support.

“I’m also considering taking on an apprentice to look after all of my administration, which would make my life a lot easier as it’s often the area of the business that gets pushed to the bottom of the to do list.”

“We have two new vehicles, a seven and a half tonne truck and a van, which between them are covering hundreds of miles every day making collections from businesses around the region, so an extra pair of hands would

Graeme launched Shred Direct with the support of East Durham Business Service after working for Premier Waste for a number of years.

NEW PREMISES

FOR GROWING PBP

FIRM AUXILLIS RECENTLY rebranded accident management company Auxillis has expanded its presence on the park as it prepares for further growth.

The company, previously known as Albany Assistance, already employs more than 550 staff at its Redmond House offices on Bracken Hill Business Park, but has decided to take on more space to meet an increase in work and its projected growth.

As such, it has secured the neighbouring 10,500 sq ft unit.

Susan Howe, operations director at Auxillis, said: “The past few months have been challenging but very exciting for Auxillis in terms of company growth and with this comes the opportunity for Auxillis to further establish itself in the local area.

“We’re committed to being a major employer in Peterlee and our recent recruitment drive has allowed us to add more talented individuals to our teams.

“This is something that we aim to continue as our business grows.”

PBP NEWS HEADLINES

BUSINESSES TURN OUT FOR FUNDING AND SUPPORT EXPO

OVER 75 businesses attended Peterlee Business Park’s funding and support event in June.

Around 25 exhibitors and 50 delegates took park in a mini speed-networking ‘expo’ aimed at showcasing the types of support and funding that are out there for local businesses to tap into.

Santander and Barclays banks, DurhamWorks, EDBS, Northstar Ventures, CDEMN, University Of Sunderland, NEPIC and RTC North were among the exhibitors, who all had three minutes to ‘pitch’ to small groups of delegates.

Steve Metcalfe, who is HR manager at NSK Bearings and also the PBP Steering Group Chairman, said: “This was the first event of its kind we have attempted and we were delighted with the turnout.

“It’s not every day you have so many of the region’s leading funding and support organisations under one roof so it was great to see so many delegates come through the doors.

“The format was a great success as it meant every exhibitor was guaranteed to meet with every delegate and we look forward to similar events in the near future.”

If you attended, or even if you couldn’t make it, and would like to know more about any of the funding and support organisations that exhibited, take a look at the event brochure or get in touch and we’ll be happy to connect you.

To view a digital version of the brochure online, go to peterleebusiness.co.uk and search for ‘funding and support event’.

Creating Outstanding Futures Apprenticeships with East Durham College Why choose EDC: Expert staff with up to date knowledge, skills and experience Professional recruitment service structured around your business needs Outstanding practical training facilities Flexible delivery to suit your business

Our priority is to provide capable and committed apprentices who can help to drive your business forward.

Apprenticeships available in: Accountancy Administration/Customer Service Agriculture Animal Care Beauty Therapy Bricklaying Engineering

Floristry Hairdressing/Barbering Health & Social Care Horse Care Horticulture Manufacturing Plastering Warehousing & Storage

To find out more or to arrange a tour of our outstanding facilities, please call 0191 518 5587or email emma.norbury@eastdurham.ac.uk

‘We’re in business for business’ 5/6/17 EDC - Peterlee Business Park - Business Funding & Support Event A5 ad £10.00.indd 1

05/06/2017 15:34

JOBS & EMPLOYMENT

MORE YOUNG PEOPLE GIVEN

A CHANCE ON THE PARK

PETERLEE Business Park has been hitting the headlines for all the right reasons as a trio of young women are making their way up the career ladder with three local companies.

Hannah Price

HANNAH’S GEM OF A CAREER

WITH RECRUITMENT FIRM A YOUNG apprentice who swapped college for the workplace is carving out a successful career at one of Peterlee’s most successful recruitment companies.

Hannah Price, 19, went on to higher education but after deciding it wasn’t for her, she started looking for job opportunities in the area.

After a successful interview with recruitment specialist GEM Premium People, Hannah was offered the position of account administrator and the opportunity to complete a two-year apprenticeship with KF Training, also based on Peterlee Business Park.

FORMER APPRENTICE IS NOW

Now, having finished the apprenticeship, Hannah is working on the next step of her career in recruitment capacity and will be completing specific qualifications from the governing Body the REC Recruitment and employment Confederation.

Hannah, from Peterlee, said: “I was so excited to start my work journey and it really has been brilliant. I am very proud of how far I have come considering I had next to no experience.

The support I’ve had from the team at GEM has really helped me progress, and my assessor Ellen from KF Training has also been a huge support.”

Ellen Reid

HEAD OF ASPIRE ACADEMY TRAINING and apprenticeship specialist KF Training is celebrating the success of its young employees in a series of blogs on the Peterlee Business Park website.

Ellen Reid, who works in the company’s delivery team, is celebrating her five year anniversary with KF Training.

When Ellen started, a handful of people were setting up a business which would go on to become the 40 strong team it is today.

Ellen said: “I joined KFT five years ago doing random paperwork and dipping in and out

of admin and anything else to support the business. In that time I have gained three qualifications and now head up our Aspire Academy business, which supports 16-18 year old apprentices through what is often their first experience of work.”

Having been there herself, Ellen is the perfect mentor and coach to set them on the road to success.

This is a real home-grown success story that embodies KF Training’s passion to support and develop its team through wherever their career paths takes them.

THE SUMMER’S LOOKING ROSEY FOR ROSIE

Rosie Simpson

SCHOOLGIRL Rosie Simpson has started her career at the earliest opportunity.

Rosie said: “From my first day I knew I was going to gain a lot.

The Shotton Hall student has started a summer job at LEC Communications & Design just days after her last GCSE exam.

“When I got the opportunity to work at LEC, I was ecstatic. It is my first job and I already feel rewarded and confident in my work. The job is really busy and keeps me working which I love as there is never a dull moment.

Rosie, who lives in Peterlee and is due to start at Durham Sixth Form after the holidays where she will study her A Levels, is helping out with digital marketing for the company based at Novus Business Centre, including keeping the PBP website up to date.

“I’m finding this experience very therapeutic and calming whilst also being kept on my feet. There are several tasks to take on but nonetheless I am massively enjoying myself.”

JOBS & EMPLOYMENT Margaret Temple

SMOOTH NEW START FOR

FORMER STUDENT MARGARET A FORMER East Durham College student has started her own busines after becoming, she believes, one of only two qualified female plasterers in the North East.

Margaret Temple, 42, from Horden, has just qualified with flying colours from her CSkills Level 2 Diploma in Plastering and now plans to start her own plastering business in this traditionally male dominated industry.

Margaret enrolled at the Peterlee-based college last September after working in the care sector for many years, before deciding the time was right for a career change.

40 NEW JOBS ON THE PARK

Margaret said “I’d worked in the care sector for over 15 years; it was often hard work both physically and emotionally – and after also caring for my father before his death I decided I needed a complete change of career.”

Margaret believes she’s spotted a gap in the market for her new business.

She said: “A lot of my elderly clients told me they were uncomfortable with letting tradesmen in their homes and that’s what gave me the idea to retrain to help fill a gap in the market for a qualified female tradesperson.”

Start Energy and Profound

TWO Peterlee companies are working in partnership to bring jobs to the area.

Energy consultancy Start Energy provides a unique procurement service to businesses in the public and private sectors.

Now the firm has launched an apprenticeship recruitment scheme with training provider Profound Services to help ease the process of their new contracts.

The business will see 40 new apprentices taken on this year, working in energy consultant roles.

Simon Naisbett

EDBS ANNOUNCES FREE NEET EMPLOYMENT SERVICE BUSINESSES are being offered a free recruitment service which could help young people into work.

East Durham Business Service has introduced the service aimed at small businesses in the area who are looking to bring in additional support.

The scheme would enable employers to tap into the support of EDBS’s Consultant Simon Naisbett, who would look at the requirements of each individual business and then identify suitable young people who would be interviewed by him to make the process as quick and simple as possible.

Simon said: “One of our key objectives is to help young people not in employment, education or training to gain the skills employers look for, and then help them

to find employment opportunities with businesses in the area.

“However, we know businesses can be nervous about taking on a young person in case they don’t have the ability or attitude they’re looking for.

“By tapping into this support service, the burden is taken off them and I carry out the whole recruitment process on their behalf.

“I work with these young people over a period of months so I am in the ideal position to select the right person based on the brief provided by the employer. Essentially it’s a free recruitment service and a win win for the business.”

For more information contact Simon at EDBS on 0191 586 3366.

SEAHAM NEWS

SPECTRUM KEY TO GROWTH OF SEAHAM BUSINESS COMMUNITY SPECTRUM Business Park, which recently secured Northumbrian Water as its latest high profile tenant, is supporting the creation of a thriving business community in Seaham.

Spectrum Business Park has undergone major growth in the last couple of years and is now home to tenants including Great Annual Savings Group, ResQ, BE Group, County Durham Housing Group and Durham County Council.

To support the growth and the thousands of people who are now employed there, alongside the millions of pounds being invested into Seaham, developer Paul Wellstead is working with a number of stakeholders to develop a business community that supports the town’s continued growth and economic prosperity.

Paul said: “Spectrum Business Park has become a real hub for Seaham as more and more businesses have chosen to locate here.

“When I launched the development 10 years ago, it was hard for people to see its potential and we struggled to secure tenants; today dozens of companies call Spectrum their home. By working together and with the support of Business Durham, I believe we can achieve what’s been done in Peterlee elsewhere in County Durham and really put Seaham on the map as one of the region’s leading business locations.”

Paul has been instrumental in increasing the public transport offering to and from the park, with Arriva now running regular commuter services, and further expansions of the transport infrastructure at the park are in the pipeline.

Paul Wellstead (far right) with his latest tenant, Northumbrian Water

COSTUME DESIGNER LANDS JOBS BOOST JOB AT HOUSE OF MOOSHKI AT BE GROUP Shannon Garland

HI-TECH jobs will be created in the North East after a Seaham firm invested in an up-and-coming technology business.

Business services company BE Group, which is based at Spectrum Business Park, has become a major investor in Artificial Intelligence business Synoptica, currently based in Guildford and Shoreditch.

A TALENTED fashion student from Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) has been given the job of her dreams with a Seaham design house.

helping them prepare for the label release of Grace Philips. After a week with them I was offered a job with the company working on weekends and in the holidays.

Shannon Garland, 21, from Saltburn, studied for a degree in Costume Interpretation with Design and has secured a job as a designer with bridal company, House of Mooshki.

“By the end of second year I had helped in every aspect of the company, including a location photoshoot and trade show. I decided to use the label as my influence, as bridal was the industry I wanted to enter upon graduation.

Her final major project showcased a collection of bridal gowns inspired by the company’s Grace Philips label.

Shannon said: “I did some work experience in my second year with House of Mooshki,

“The support which everyone at House of Mooshki and Grace Philips has also offered me has been amazing and has helped me achieve the best I could.”

Synoptica provides data and AI services that allow customers to profile, rank, track and forecast business they have an interest in.

As a result of the investment, Synoptica will be recruiting and basing a significant proportion of its team at BE’s office in Seaham.

The deal has also seen Simon Goon, who is currently chief executive of Business Durham, the county’s economic development organisation, step down from that role to join Synoptica as chief operating officer.

SPONSORED FEATURE

BUSINESS ENERGY SCHEME GETS OFF TO A GREAT START DURHAM County Council’s new Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) is now accepting applications.

BEEP is a three-year initiative which has been built to generate financial savings for SMEs through energy savings.

The scheme is an independent service which aims to generate financial savings through reduced energy consumption or generation.

Project Manager Calum Baker said: “After a lot of hard work the BEEP website is now live.

Users can download fachtsheets on a range of financial saving energy related topics, read case studies from businesses who have achieved savings through energy efficiency and access a host of additional projects that focus on County Durham SMEs.” BEEP is delivered by Business Durham, FSB, NEECC, and Northern Powergrid with costs covered by Durham County Council and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).

This includes a bespoke energy audit, data analysis, prioritised investment recommendations and support as and when required to procure, select and adopt any new and improved energy efficient equipment within the business.

The project operates a grant fund which is used to reduce the payback period of any chosen installation, but the grant is available on a first-come-first-served basis so once it’s gone it’s gone*.

Calum added: “BEEP is now fully operational and accepting applications from County Durham Businesses.”

If your business is based in County Durham and you would like to find out how you can benefit from the BEEP scheme, please email beep@durham.gov.uk or visit beep.uk.net.

You can also follow BEEP on Twitter and LinkedIn. *Subject to application terms and conditions.

Calum Baker (far left) at the PBP funding and support event in June

Business Energy Efficiency Project is designed to help SMEs generate financial savings through energy generation and reduced energy consumption.

The project operates a grant fund which is used to reduce the payback period of installations*.

For info, please contact the BEEP team at beep@durham.gov.uk. *Limited availability, subject to application.

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SPONSORED FEATURES

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

KEY TO BUSINESS GROWTH

AT THE heart of any successful business is its people. Without the people there is no business.

to the trainees and apprentices, and constantly reviewing what is being done to improve performance.

So it stands to reason that performance management is a vital strand of business development. But what is it, what does it mean to employers and employees and are companies investing as much time in this area as they should be?

“That could be something as simple as offering an individual support to enhance their basic skills, or putting an employee through a training course that gives them a qualification at the end of it.

Maria Miller, operations director at recruitment specialist GEM Premium People, believes many businesses aren’t fully aware of what performance management entails and therefore aren’t doing as much as they could be.

“Your staff want to know they are valued and have the chance to move up the career ladder, and if you as an employer invest in your workforce and instil in them the belief that they’re as important as you are, productivity will go up and your business will be in a better position.”

Maria said: “Without performance management it is impossible for people to improve. And that applies to people at all levels. Every employer should be looking at their workforce, from the senior management team right through

GEM Premium People is committed to staff retention and development and invests in the people it employs, like Hannah Price who recently completed her apprenticeship and is now working on the recruitment side of the business.

Two young workers with their manager at KF Training

OVER £1.2 MILLION INVESTED INTO FIRMS

BY DURHAMWORKS OVER £1.2M has been invested into local businesses through the DurhamWorks project.

DurhamWorks is a partnership solution to youth unemployment in County Durham led by Durham County Council working with employers to create opportunities for unemployed 16-24 year olds.

The project’s Learning Working Earning grant funding helps businesses with salaries and other costs associated with employing staff, up to a maximum of £3,000.

Since launching in April 2016 the project has engaged with over 900 businesses helping them realise the benefits of employing young people.

Up to 70 per cent of six months’ salary can be funded once all other funding has been taken into consideration, with employers contributing a minimum of £500 towards the creation of a 12 month role.

Your business future depends on what you do today!

Learning Working Earning Grant Funding to kickstart your business growth. Getting enthusiastic young people working for your company couldn’t be easier.

Up to £3,000 of funding may be available towards the cost of taking on a young person through DurhamWorks.

Find out more at www.durhamworks.info/lwe 03000 262 930

PBP firms who have benefited from the project include Harbro Electrical and KF Training.

0191 587 8165 | info@peterleebusiness.co.uk | www.peterleebusiness.co.uk

Peterlee Business Park Group, working in association with: