Business Matters Autumn 2019

Business

Matters AUTUMN 2019 EDITION

HELPING RENFREWSHIRE GROW & PROSPER

ROCCO 2019 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

INSIDE: ROCCO Shortlist, Members News, Chamber updates & more...

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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President’s Welcome Dear Members, welcome to the Autumn edition of the Chamber’s Business Matters magazine.

This is as always, a busy time of year for Renfrewshire Chamber with many events and dinners taking place, not forgetting the fast approaching ROCCOS, our annual Business Awards, which celebrate outstanding success and recognise the depth of talent we have in Renfrewshire.

I’m delighted to report the team received a record number of entries this year which highlights what a fantastic place Renfrewshire is to do business with a supportive and high achieving business community. It is without doubt that to make the shortlist is a huge achievement. Congratulations to all our finalists and if you have missed out this year, I encourage you to try again in 2020.

Judging is now underway with finalists for 15 of the 17 categories presenting to our panel of 3 judges drawn from Chamber members. Thank you to the all 31 judges who have given up their time this year and your support is crucial to maintain the integrity and value of winning a ROCCO. Winners will be announced at an elaborate ceremony on the 15th November at the Normandy Hotel hosted by ROCCO favourite, Fred MacAulay. As ever, demand for tables at the event has been high and again looks like being a sell-out. Thank you to all our sponsors for 2019 – and special mention to our returning main sponsor, Paisley.Is. who are also sponsoring for a second year the “Excellence in Tourism” award.

Speaking of tourism, the Chamber had the pleasure of inviting Lord Thurso, Chairman of Visit Scotland to Renfrewshire recently. He was welcomed as speaker at our October Networking Lunch at the Glynhill with over 70 members in attendance. This was followed by a tour of Paisley Museum, which is currently undergoing a £42m re-design and is set to re-open in 2022. He observed the development work before meeting with key players in the region’s tourism industry at the University of West of Scotland’s Paisley Campus.

I recently attended the launch of the new Economic Strategy for Renfrewshire 2020-2030 at Abbeymill Business Centre hosted

by Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and local MSP Derek MacKay. The launch represented the completion of 2 years of work for Renfrewshire’s Economic Leadership Panel. Also attending was Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hislop who announced an additional £2million funding support for the redevelopment of Paisley Museum.

The Chamber chaired the Q&A panel which comprised Cabinet Secretary Derek Mackay, James Lang Chair of Leadership Panel, Iain Nicolson Renfrewshire Council Leader, Liz Connolly Principal West College Scotland & Alasdair Morrison, Director Regeneration.

I am encouraged to see clear strategic direction defined for key sectors of the Renfrewshire economy such as tourism highlighted above and manufacturing where we believe there are clear opportunities to create many more skilled jobs and increase GVA. James Lang, Chair of the Economic Panel and Director of Scottish Leather Group also announced the creation of 100 new jobs to be located at a new site in Paisley opening in 2020.

On the subject of manufacturing CEO Bob Grant recently enjoyed a visit to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at Sheffield University hosted by Professor Keith Ridgeway.

The models developed there are to be replicated as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland

beside Glasgow Airport and Bob tells me the technology being developed offers real opportunities for our manufacturing sector, including SME’s to increase productivity, skills and compete on a global scale.

So, it appears that despite many statements to the contrary we will not be leaving the EU on Halloween. I am aware people are sick and tired of Brexit talk and over the last few weeks the drama in Westminster continues, as we have confirmation of a Brexit extension from the EU27 to Jan 31st 2020 and a General Election on the 12th December.

Throughout these tumultuous and unpredictable times, the Chamber network has been engaging with Parliamentary decision makers emphasising that the continuing rollercoaster in Westminster is having real world consequences in our Business communities.

Business needs clarity on the big Brexit related issues.

The uncertain world we live in throws up new and different challenges every day but be assured that the Chamber network is working hard finding solutions and getting answers. Never has the work we do together been more important to Scottish and UK businesses.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the ROCCOS. Support your Chamber and your Chamber will support Tom Johnston, you.

President Renfrewshire Chamber

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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A Warm Welcome from our Chief Executive Welcome to the Autumn edition of Business Matters Magazine. The strength and depth of our business community is clearly reflected in another issue of forty-eight pages packed full of the latest news from Renfrewshire.

Preparations are in full swing for ROCCO 2019 with the chamber team.

We’ve had a huge response yet again this year for entries and there have been many tough decisions made by our judging panels, thank you for the time you have invested. We know the process to win a ROCCO Award is robust and challenging so congratulations to all who have made the shortlist.

Paisley.is returns as main sponsor this year and what fantastic progress the destination brand and website has made since its launch. A record attendance at this year’s Spree Festival along with 41,000 people coming to the Halloween

Festival clearly shows the potential of Renfrewshire’s growing profile and visitor economy.

STEM fortnight ran over the first two weeks in October with close to 400 opportunities offered to our young people. Thank you to all companies taking part and we plan to increase the level of STEM activity with our schools in the coming months, reflecting the importance of these skillsets and growing job opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing.

Have you joined the Chamber in the last 12months? If so, I encourage you to attend our new workshop on 10th December featuring the best ways to maximise your membership and get the most benefit from the chamber community.

Finally details for our AGM 2019 will start to come out in November. As in the past we will hold our AGM at the Glynhill

prior to our Christmas lunch on the 19th December and all members are welcome to attend.

Thanks & regards,

Bob Grant Chief Exec

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Bute Court, St Andrews Drive, Glasgow Airport, PA3 2SW t: 0141 847 5450 / f: 0141 847 5499 e: info@renfrewshirechamber.com / w: www.renfrewshirechamber.com Next issue of Business Matters is Winter 2019 Deadline for editorial and adverts is Friday 6th December 2019 Themes are ROCCO Winners, Technology, Marketing & PR

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Business Matters Autumn 2019

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GLASGOW AIRPORT’S NEW LOMOND LOUNGE ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL FIRST MONTH - The £1.6m investment ensures Glasgow has more lounge offerings than any other Scottish airport Glasgow Airport’s exclusive £1.6m Lomond Lounge is proving to be a popular addition with passengers since opening at the beginning of September.

The plush facility lounge, which created 25 new jobs, has been inundated with booking and the feedback on the exclusive service provided has been extremely positive.

This is the fourth lounge facility to be based at Glasgow – the most of any Scottish airport – as the number of people looking to enjoy access to exclusive lounge facilities continues to rise. Emirates and British Airways both have their own separate facilities at Glasgow while the airport has operated its own hugely-successful UpperDeck lounge for a number of years.

Glasgow Airport Managing Director Mark Johnston said: “My team has worked incredibly hard to deliver this project and we are all immensely proud of the Lomond Lounge. I’ve got to say that although the initial design concept images looked impressive, they don’t do it justice when you see the completed lounge.

“Given its prime location in the airport’s departures area, the lounge offers fantastic views of both the airfield and the stunning backdrop of the Campsie Fells, while raising the benchmark by providing a premium level of service and comfort. It’s a beautiful space and those customers who have visited to date have been very impressed with level of service this luxurious new facility offers.”

The look and feel of the 4,500-square foot lounge has been inspired by the neighbouring Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and features a mix of table service for a la carte dining and more relaxed seating areas were passengers can unwind in comfort and enjoy a snack from the buffet or drink before their flight.

The natural colours and contemporary styling have also been balanced with

a strong appreciation of Glasgow Airport’s original Basil Spence-designed architecture, with the lounge proudly housing his renowned barrel-vaulted ceilings.

With a capacity of just 100 covers allowing for greater privacy, the Lomond Lounge offers a wide selection of a la carte breakfast, lunch and dining options featuring Scottish produce freshly prepared by local chefs.

The lounge includes a business suite area and features charging outlets, highspeed WiFi, flight information displays and complimentary national newspapers and glossy magazines.

Lomond Lounge entry will cost £40 and can be booked in advance by visiting: www.glasgowairport.com, or payment can be on the day subject to availability at that time.

Meanwhile, the first Naked Deli venture outside of North East of England has also opened at Glasgow Airport.

The popular North East healthy food chain landed at the airport this week and passengers are tucking into the venue’s delicious range of fresh juice smoothies, superfood salads, sandwiches and vegan cakes.

Denise Gilmour, Head of Retail at Glasgow Airport, with colleague from Naked Deli

Glasgow Airport’s Naked Deli will offer a fantastic range of grab-and-go options for customers. Its menus cater for specialist diets, including vegan, dairy free and gluten free options. Environmental awareness is another key area for the brand, with all take-out meals packaged in recyclable materials.

Denise Gilmour, Head of Retail at Glasgow Airport, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Naked Deli to the airport. It’s a fantastic brand and I’m positive the company’s ‘clean, healthy and nutritious’ ethos on clean eating and food provenance will be very popular with our passengers.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Business Matters Autumn 2019

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GLASGOW BECOMES FIRST UK AIRPORT TO INTRODUCE ELECTRIC BUS FLEET TO ITS OPERATION - Fleet of three Scottish-built BYD ADL Enviro200EV fullelectric buses will operate free 24-hour passenger service to airport’s Long-Stay Car Park Glasgow has become the first UK airport to introduce a fleet of zeroemission electric buses to its car park operation.

The three-strong fleet of all-electric battery buses, which were built in Scotland by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), will replace the current diesel fleet used to shuttle passengers between the terminal and the airport’s Long-Stay Car Park.

This is the first time the BYD ADL Enviro200EV model has been operated anywhere in Scotland and its introduction at Glasgow Airport was made possible thanks to a £450,000 Green Bus Fund support grant from Transport Scotland.

Mark Johnston, Glasgow Airport Managing Director, with Charlie Miller, Alexander Dennis Limited’s Regional Sales Manager.

Mark Johnston, Glasgow Airport’s Managing Director, said: “We are proud to be the first airport in the UK to incorporate a full-electric bus fleet into our car park operation.

“These state-of-the-art vehicles will

play an important role in supporting our continued efforts to create a more sustainable business and will contribute significantly to help further reduce carbon emissions locally at Glasgow Airport.

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Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Business Matters Autumn 2019

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www.malcolmgroup.co.uk

INTEGRATED ROAD, RAIL & WAREHOUSING SOLUTIONS Originating as a family-owned business in the 1920’s, The Malcolm Group has become one of the leading providers of Logistics, Construction and Maintenance services in the UK. Malcolm Logistics, a division of The Malcolm Group, is arguably the UK’s leading independent provider of third party logistics services. Focused on intermodal solutions, Malcolm Logistics offer fully integrated road, rail, warehousing and bonded warehousing services throughout the UK and have a long established focus on operational and service quality which has earned a strong reputation within the industry.

Road

Rail

The division’s road transport operation provides innovative and cost effective transport and distribution solutions, which service a wide range of products, sectors and industries. Malcolm Logistics is now leading the way in providing high quality, dedicated logistics solutions, including its growing specialist walking floor trailer fleet.

The specialist equipment fleet serves customers in the renewables and recycling sectors.

Malcolm Logistics operates over 350 artics and 1100 strong trailer fleet, including over 840 Curtainsiders, over 200 skeletal trailers, and 40 Walking Floor Trailers.

Warehousing

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Head Office: Brookfield House, 2 Burnbrae Drive, Linwood PA3 3BU Telephone 01505 324321

Practical Solutions, Successful Partnerships Malcolm Rail provides a substantial range of intermodal services benefitting a wide range of users in many sectors, typically integrated with road to offer the coverage required by customers.

Rail is an attractive freight option as it can provide an efficient method of distribution for many types of cargo. There are daily train services operated between three terminals nationwide providing a crucial link between ports, production facilities and distribution terminals.

In addition to road and rail transport, Malcolm Logistics provides a 24/7, 365 days per year warehousing operation across key locations from warehousing facilities located in Central Scotland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Avonmouth

and Northamptonshire – plus management of warehousing activities at customer locations throughout the UK. Current warehousing facilities encompass around five million square feet of warehousing space over ten locations, three of which are rail-side.

Key customer partnerships and alliances have been cornerstones of Malcolm Logistics development ambitions, as has the adoption and implementation of new technologies and the continuing investment in Malcolm’s state-ofthe-art fleet. Together they provide compelling dimensions to the Malcolm Logistics package and the basis for an unrivalled business relationship.

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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Enva - Recycling & resource recovery Barry Coughlan, Managing Director of Enva (formerly William Tracey) discusses why Chamber members should no longer see waste as something we just throw away but as a valuable resource and why escalating disposal costs mean that reducing waste and increasing recycling makes both environmental and commercial sense.

Recent media attention has resulted in waste maintaining a profile that it has previously failed to secure. However, heightened awareness is not the only driver for change. Scotland has set some ambitious targets for reducing waste and increasing recycling by 2025 which include: • reducing the total waste generated in Scotland by 15% against 2011 levels • reducing food waste by 33% against 2013 levels • recycling 70% of remaining waste • sending no more than 5% of remaining waste to landfill • a ban on biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill from 1 January 2021.

Whilst these targets are not directly applicable to every business or waste producer, they do provide a useful context for businesses looking to review their waste and recycling services or provider. Enva has over 70 years’ experience of the Scottish waste and recycling market and provides services to customers from a variety of sectors including retail, manufacturing, construction, hospitality and education.

Working in partnership with Scottish companies, Enva helps to manage waste and resources more efficiently, effectively and sustainably. This enables our customers to reduce their carbon footprint and maximise recycling rates whilst managing the materials in line with the ‘Waste Hierarchy’.

With 29 sites in the UK and Ireland, including 8 facilities in Scotland, Enva manages a broad range of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, producing high quality secondary resources and products for re-use in manufacturing and the generation of sustainable energy. The

Barry Coughlan, Managing Director, Enva

company’s flagship materials recycling facility at Linwood, recycles over 90% of the material it processes. Any material that cannot be recycled is used by the company in the manufacture of refuse derived fuels which provide sustainable alternatives to rapidly depleting fossil fuels and helps customers to achieve zero waste to landfill. Our ability to provide fully integrated general and hazardous waste services provides a one-stop shop waste management solution for more than 3000 businesses in Scotland.

In addition to its general waste and recycling services, Enva’s focus on innovation and producing high quality materials has seen it develop the capability to produce products from a number of waste streams including: • cullet from recovered glass that is used to manufacture new bottles and glass additives for other technical products • a range of high-quality animal bedding

and a vital product for panel board made from recycled wood • concrete pellets for use in construction produced from the ash generated by waste and biomass plants • organics and soils that are used in a range of land restoration applications and as soil improver products As we look to the future, it seems the recycling and resource management sector is well positioned to support Scotland’s sustainable growth and the development of an increasingly circular economy. Enva will continue to work in partnership with local businesses to achieve cost effective and efficient recycling and waste management services that will help them to reduce costs and improve their environmental performance.

For more information visit www.enva. com or call our team on 01505 321 000.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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With sustainability at the forefront of our proposition, Enva recovers a broad range of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials for re-use in manufacturing and for energy conversion, as well as providing a complete portfolio of industrial, water and waste water services.

#WeAreEnva | T. 01505 321 000 | marketing@enva.com

Enva Scotland Limited, 49 Burnbrae Road, Linwood, Renfrewshire PA3 3BD

enva.com

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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New reforms to off-payroll legislation (IR35) will shift onus onto medium and large business employers The draft reforms for the off-payroll legislation, commonly known as IR35, have now been published by the Government and are contained in the Finance Bill 2019-20. These provide that private sector firms who enter into contracts or make payments to workers engaged through a Personal Service Company (PSC) on or after 6 April 2020 will need to check the individual’s “deemed” employment tax status.

Reforms in the public sector were introduced in April 2017 with the prospect of this extension into the private sector introduced in the 2018 Budget.

The legislation will come into force from 6 April 2020.

Where the individual’s role does look akin to an employment type one the engager, agency or third party paying the worker’s company will need to deduct income tax and national insurance contributions (NICs) and pay Employer NICs. The responsibility for determining whether the off-payrolling rules apply will move to the organisation receiving the individual’s services.

The proposed reforms A company that qualifies as a “small” business will not be required to apply the new rules. In these circumstances there is no change and the PSC will assess their own IR35 position, as they are required to currently, and be liable for income tax and NIC deductions, as appropriate.

A company will be regarded as small for this purpose if it has two (or more) of the following: • Turnover – not exceeding £10.2 million.

• £5.1 million or less on the Balance Sheet.

• Number of employees not exceeding 50.

Any business so identified as small using the above guidance will still be required to apply the new rules if it is a subsidiary of a large or medium sized parent.

Further, anti-avoidance provisions are intended to ensure a business will not be able to contrive a situation which artificially creates a small business exemption.

The impact Where an individual works for a medium or large sized engager outside of the public

sector, through their own PSC and falls within these rules: • The party paying the worker’s PSC (the fee-payer) will be treated as an employer for the purposes of income tax and Class 1 NICs. • The amount paid to the worker’s intermediary for the worker’s services is deemed to be a payment of employment income.

• The party paying the worker’s intermediary (the fee-payer) will be liable for secondary Class 1 NICs and must deduct tax and NICs from the payments they make to the worker’s intermediary in respect of the services of the worker.

• The person deemed to be the employer for tax purposes must remit payments to HMRC and to send HMRC information about the payments using real time information (RTI).

Client-led disagreement process A status determination statement outlining the end-client’s IR35 status decision must be provided to both the contractor and any party directly engaging the contractor (typically an agent). Until this is provided the end user will remain responsible for collecting income tax and national insurance. If the contractor does not agree with the IR35 status decision, there is a new client-led disagreement process. This requires the end-client to review a decision and provide a reasoned response within 45 days. If this deadline is not met the endclient will assume the IR35 liability.

The responsibility to deduct the payments for tax and NIC are therefore effectively transferred from the fee-payer to the end-client if the end-client defaults.

This is a crucial aspect; the end-client could quite easily find themselves in a situation where they are technically in breach of the rules through an administration mistake.

Guidance HMRC will be publishing detailed guidance for organisations and both general and targeted education packages, including webinars, workshops and one-to-one sessions with businesses in particular sectors.

Improvements are also expected to HMRC’s Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool and, following testing by legal

Aileen Scott, Partner and Head of Tax, Campbell Dallas

and operational experts and stakeholders, are expected to be available later in 2019.

Good News On a positive note the Government has confirmed that the reform is not retrospective and that HMRC will not carry out targeted campaigns for earlier years where a PSC falls within the new IR35 rules from April 2020.

Instead HMRC are indicating that they will be ensuring businesses comply with the reform for new engagements. As such, an organisation’s decisions about whether workers are within the rules should not automatically trigger an enquiry into earlier years.

Next Steps for Businesses Businesses that are caught by the new rules must act now by carrying out employment status assessments of their contractor workforce and establishing suitable administration systems and protocols.

Whilst these reforms might seem somewhat draconian, there is no doubt that businesses will still be able to engage legitimate contractors who will fall outside of the new rules.

We can support a business through the entire process and are specialists in complex IR35 and employment status reviews.

If you have any queries, please get in touch.

Aileen Scott Partner and Head of Tax 0141 886 6644 aileen.scott@campbelldallas.co.uk

The information in this article should not be regarded as financial advice. This is based on our understanding in October 2019. Laws and tax rules may change in the future.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Back Her Business Royal Bank of Scotland launches Scotland’s first women-only crowdfunding programme, as part of its efforts aims to encourage female entrepreneurship The initiative, entitled “Back Her Business”, has been developed in partnership with funding platform Crowdfunder.

It seeks to reduce the gender gap when it comes to start-ups by giving women across the UK the opportunity to test and validate their business ideas.

Back Her Business which launched earlier this year, will offer financial support as well as bespoke training, coaching, networking opportunities and local events through the bank’s Entrepreneur Accelerator programme and its Women in Business proposition.

Although most of the funding will come from crowdsourced pledges, Royal Bank of Scotland will provide a top-up fund of £1 million per annum and offer up to 50 per cent of an individual’s fundraising target – capped at £5,000 – for certain projects.

It forms part of the bank’s wider

commitment to support a further 400,000 women-led businesses across the UK by 2025.

The lender’s recently published Rose Review revealed that only 5.6 per cent of women run their own business and that women are half as likely as men to start a venture.

According to the report, if women started businesses at the same rate as men it would add £250 billion to the UK economy, a figure equivalent to four years of natural GVA (gross value added) growth.

Samantha Swift, who is the Business Growth Enabler at Royal Bank of Scotland and Women in Business Ambassador, said: "As the Women in Business Ambassador for Business Banking in South West Scotland, I work closely with many women who are thinking about starting or looking to start a business. As a bank we work closely with many local support agencies including Coca Cola 5/20, Women’s Enterprise Scotland, Business Gateway and Elevator, to name a few, to help support women not only get started but also continue their business journey.

Samantha Swift, Business Growth Enabler at Royal Bank of Scotland and Women in Business Ambassador

Providing support to all businesses throughout Scotland is a key priority for us at Royal Bank of Scotland."

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Business Matters Autumn 2019

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Banker Rosie JGBA Accountants turns knit pro!

The team at JGBA Accountants offer a one-stop shop when it comes to tax and accountancy providing everything a sole trader or small business needs.

Run by Chartered Accountants Gillian Crawford and Johanna McLachlan, the firm prides itself on building close-working relationships with clients and providing a hands-on, tailored service.

Gillian and Johanna deal with traditional accountancy services - including bookkeeping, VAT returns and advice, tax returns and payroll administration – as well as offering innovative business advisory and development services.

They are at the forefront of new technology embracing developments such as HMRC’s `Making Tax Digital’. Gillian and Johanna are already leaders in this field offering clients a fully digitised service using Xero Cloud Accounting software.

Meanwhile, their top priority is to consistently achieve customer satisfaction by ensuring clients’ needs are always met.

Evidence of this commitment can be seen in the regular referrals and testimonials provided by satisfied clients.

JGBA Accountants Ltd are based at the Innovation Centre in Hillington Park.

Website: www.jgbaaccountants.co.uk Tel: 0141 636 6400. Email: admin@jgbaaccountants.co.uk

My journey has led me from successful corporate, to parent, to realising there is more to life than money and consciously deciding to carve a life that serves.

Knitting, my childhood hobby, can help people of all ages & I want to share it.

Knitting is an important brain boosting life skill, distinct from other crafts because the physical movements required to knit help to co-ordinate the left & right hemispheres of the brain.

This motion engages your brain so much it shuts off the monkey mind and facilitates calm, once mastered. I am truly passionate about teaching children & adults and I run classes & workshops in various settings, expertly delivered to ensure success & mindful benefits.

An InCube graduate, my eco friendly, modern, knitted jewellery is currently for sale in the InCube shop on Gilmore St and knitting kits are nearly good to go! for Christmas.

Check out www.knittingoncloudnine.com.

Companies benefiting from UWS Graduate Apprenticeships University of the West of Scotland’s Graduate Apprenticeships are helping businesses across Scotland to develop their workforce and to support their employees to gain the skills, qualifications and professional accreditation their business needs.

GAs are fully funded and are open to new and existing employees to help businesses recruit, develop and retain the talent they need.

Arnold Clark has been involved in the University’s GA offering since August 2017. David Peters, Head of Digital Solutions at Arnold Clark, said: “Our UWS Graduate Apprentices go straight into the workplace from day one and are embedded into the business early, interacting with teams and getting hands on experience of the agile software development process. Graduate Apprenticeships provide a number of benefits, the main one is the ability for us to develop our apprentices in a way that is unique to our business.”

Radoslaw Lewandowski, who holds the post of Associate Software Engineer at Arnold Clark, has just completed his GA programme at UWS. He said: “I have gained a lot of practical, hands on development experience during my time completing my GA which helps me in my current role to develop new software.”

To find out how your business can benefit from GAs please contact apprenticeships@uws.ac.uk or visit www.uws.ac.uk/GAs

GRADUATE APPRENTICESHIPS develop the graduate talent pipeline your business needs www.uws.ac.uk/GAs

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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UWS Launches KTP Centre at Paisley Campus

University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has launched a dedicated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Centre following the success of its KTP programme; a first of its kind in Scotland.

UWS is now the top performing University in the UK by value of KTP projects secured in 2019 and currently ranks 7th in the UK by size of its total KTP portfolio (26K current KTPs with businesses across the UK worth £5.5m).

The new KTP Centre will ensure business partners, KTP Associates and UWS staff have exclusive access to an in-house specialist team to support their KTP activity.

Professor Craig Mahoney, UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “To be Scotland’s fastest growing provider of KTPs and to be placed within the top 10 Higher Education Institutions providing KTPs across the whole of the UK is a significant achievement.”

“I am proud that we are the first University in Scotland to create a dedicated KTP Centre and am confident

that this development will enable us to drive our KTP offering further forward.”

“Our KTP success clearly demonstrates that our research activities have direct relevance to, and applicability in, worldleading industries and businesses, that our academic experts are successful in solving real-world problems and that our University is having major positive impacts on national and global challenges, in particular those associated with health, society and sustainability.”

Commenting on the University’s KTP performance, UWS’ KTP Manager, Dr Stuart McKay, said: “Here at UWS our motto is ‘Dreaming, Believing, Achieving’.

The success we have seen to date is a great example of this. KTP allows us to help businesses innovate and grow by giving them access to cutting-edge facilities across our 5 campuses, access to highly skilled academics and superstar KTP Associates and, best of all, funding support of up to 67% against project costs (£150k support on average across our current portfolio)” “We will continue to grow our portfolio

in 2020, especially given the new Management KTP offering from Innovate UK, backed by an additional £25m funding from BEIS” KTPs are a flagship programme from Innovate UK and UKRI. In Scotland, KTP also receives support from the Scottish Funding Council. A three-way partnership between a business, an academic institution and a graduate, the academic institution employs a recently-qualified graduate, known as a ‘KTP Associate’ who works full-time at the company under the guidance of an experienced academic team; bringing new skills and knowledge to the business and delivering real impact on a strategically important project.

Lasting between 12 and 36 months depending on the project, UWS has worked with businesses of all sizes, helping companies to innovate and grow through the scheme.

To discuss a potential collaboration with UWS through a KTP project please email ktp@uws.ac.uk Or call 0141 848 3000 www.uws.ac.uk/ktp

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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Dalmeny Park House Hotel Occupying an awe-inspiring building and located only a few miles from Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow City Centre, the newly renovated Dalmeny Park House Hotel is a stylish blend of modern and traditional design. Boasting a total of 4 new Function Suites, the outstanding Orchid Restaurant and 20 impeccably designed en-suite bedrooms that exude luxury and charisma, it’s the perfect location to do business home or away.

Choose between our Orchid Lounge, Rose Suite, Jasmine Lounge or Jasmine Suite for your out of office meetings, team building or training days. Our rooms are spacious modern and perfectly suited to cater for all your requirements with

capacities starting at 40 delegates ranging to 250 delegates. We also offer fantastic corporate packages to add ease to your experience.

Dalmeny Park is also home to the recently re-opened Orchid Restaurant, Bar and Lounge which serves delicious cuisine, drinks and cocktails in lavish surroundings. Be in awe of the bold contrast of themes, styles and elegance as you relax in our fully glazed extension flooded with natural light to create a dining ambiance to impress. Indulge with choices from our Breakfast, Lounge or A La Carte menus. With a variety of delicious dishes on offer catering to dietary requirements you’re sure to be spoiled for choice.

At the end of a busy day, experience

full relaxation in one of our 20 luxurious bedrooms and Suites designed with comfort and style in mind. Our collection of 5 room types, comprising of classic double, superior family, deluxe double, our Kintyre Suite and our Balmoral Honeymoon Suite, are the perfect places to recharge for the day ahead. Specially designed to offer space each of our bedrooms, complete with en-suite facilities offers an experience catered to your requirements. Accented with unique amenities to make you feel at home.

Dalmeny Park House Hotel means business. Our attention to detail and passion is what sets us apart from our competitors. So, no matter the event we have the perfect space to host it.

THE PERFECT SPACE TO MEET, DINE AND RELAX. Boasting a modern and luxurious feel Dalmeny Park House Hotel offers 4 new function suites, the stunning ‘Orchid Restaurant’ and elegant bedrooms. Based only a few miles from Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow City Centre, Dalmeny offers the perfect location to do business home or away.

Complimentary Wifi · On-Site Parking · Branded Pads & Stationery · Water & Mints · Printing Services · Equipment Hire · Discounted Accommodation

Dalmeny Park, Lochlibo Road, Glasgow, G78 1LG · Tel: 0141 881 9211 · dalmenypark.com Part of The Rad Hotel Group

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Kibble Inspires Kibble is a specialist child and youth care charity and a leading social enterprise. For over 160 years we’ve been supporting children and young people (aged 5 – 26), many of whom have experienced significant trauma.

Through our integrated services and dedicated support, we provide a safe, stable environment to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.

Our practice is becoming increasingly trauma-informed and includes; education, residential care, education day services, psychological and therapeutic support, intensive fostering, secure care, young workforce development, community housing and housing support.

Our staff are the backbone of Kibble, providing services and support to the children and young people in our care.

They help bring positive life experiences to young people, no matter what area they work in.

Kibble has long recognised that the complex needs of the young

people demand a skilled and qualified workforce. We place strong emphasis on our comprehensive learning and development programme; a strengthbased system which prides itself in threading the connections between learning and practice. We further provide health and wellbeing services and personal benefits for all our staff.

A career at Kibble is incredibly rewarding; our staff make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people. We wanted to promote the many great stories from staff and have launched #KibbleInspires, a campaign to highlight the variety of invaluable people and roles across the organisation. It also promotes the breadth of integrated services at Kibble, ensuring we provide the highest standard of care for young people.

Kibble is a longstanding employer in Renfrewshire. Not only do we provide career opportunities in care and education, but also in support services such as ICT and catering, psychological support and customer service through

Kibble Inspires... ...opportunities ...futures ...careers ...lives ...me #kibbleinspires

www.kibble.org

Scottish Charity No SC026917 Registered in Scotland No 158220

The Experience. Many of our staff have worked across various services and care houses and have benefited from the opportunity to gain experience in multiple disciplines.

Craig Martin, Child and Youth Care Worker, as part of the #KibbleInspires campaign, has shared what working at Kibble means to him.

“It might seem like a cliché answer, but it is most definitely the young people I have the pleasure of working with every day. Each and every character across our services have their own unique and inspiring stories to tell and, despite it all, are still going strong and waking up each day to face the world, which I just truly admire”.

For more information visit www.kibble.org #KibbleInspires

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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Gift the Gift of Everything with an intu Brahead Gift Card 114680 - BH Gift Card Ad 130x180 v3 RM.indd 1

Planning your Christmas gifts for employees, customers or clients? An intu Braehead Shopping Centre Gift Card is the perfect gift as it gives them the gift of choice. With their intu Braehead gift card they can choose to go to their favourite shop and spend, spend, spend, or take the family to a big day out at Soar. With a choice of activities such as the cinema, skiing, snowboarding, bowling as well as plenty of delicious restaurants – there’s no limit to what you can do!

By providing them with the choice, they’re more likely to remember the positive experience you’ve given them.

We know that not everyone is the same. An intu Braehead gift card as a gift means you appreciate everyone has different tastes - you’re not limiting it to gender or age. There’s something for everyone at intu Braehead. Don’t allow yourself to rely on guess work for you or your team. You can simply issue gift cards knowing that whoever the recipient is, they’ll have something to spend it on.

114680 - BH Gift Card Ad 130x180 v3 RM.indd 1

27/03/2018 12:11

The Benefits: • No need to send staff out to collect gift cards from shops • Free delivery for ordering blank gift cards online • No more loaded gift cards sitting in cupboards you simply load up as and when you need them - which means there is no risk associated with storing loaded gift cards in your office • The Hub can be accessed from any device at any time • Easy to view and download reports To find out more search intu Brahead gift cards online or pop into centre and speak to customer service at their kiosk on level 2.

27/03/2018 12:

27/03/2018 12:11

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Flexible Workforce Development Fund

Last year, West College Scotland delivered courses to its Flexible Workforce Development Fund clients in…

 Office365  Management  Digital literacy  Cyber Security  Process Technology  Health & Social Care  British Sign Language  Project Management  Welding & Electrical  Health and Safety  Customer Service  Mindfulness  Social Media  Coaching

With our ability to educate & train across such a wide variety of topics, there’s more than one reason why it’s called ‘flexible’.

Like us on Facebook

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Follow us on twitter

0800 052 9612

w www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk/business

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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TWEETING FOR BUSINESS:

4 top Twitter tips Getting set up on Twitter is easy. Using it effectively can be tricky.

But fear not: that’s why we’ve put together these four top Twitter tips, to help you create a workable Twitter strategy for your business.

1) Choose your goal(s) Why do you want your business to have a profile on Twitter? This may sound like a basic question, but make sure you can answer it before powering ahead. Like any business activity, success depends on knowing what you want to achieve and making a plan to get there.

If you’ve decided, for example, that you want your Twitter activity to increase sales, you’ll want to position your profile to help meet this goal. You can do this by featuring products in your cover and profile photos, and putting a link to your online store in your bio. You’ll then want to make sure your tweets direct people to your product pages, and tempt them with enticing offers!

On the other hand, if your goal is to raise your industry profile and generate PR, you’ll want to focus on becoming a trusted source of industry knowledge.

Your bio should feature words like ‘expert’ or ‘consultant’, as well as ‘speaker’ and ‘author’ if you’re looking for relevant opportunities.

2) Eavesdrop Unlike Facebook, Twitter is a very open platform, so it’s easy to follow conversations through hashtags and keywords. This offers a great opportunity to find out what your customers really think about you, your competitors, what you do and where you do it.

For example, if you run a coffee shop, you’ll want to look out for discussions about the best (and worst!) coffee in your area as well as any specific mentions of your shop.

Use social monitoring software to follow relevant conversations, and make sure you join in (see point 4, below!)

Gary Ennis, Founder and Managing Director of NSDesign Ltd

3) Create a content sourcing system Most business owners are short of time, so it’s important to have an efficient way of curating and publishing your Twitter content.

A good profile will contain a mix of content from your business and relevant industry content from other sources. You should also make use of scheduling tools such as Hootsuite or TweetDeck to upload your tweets in batches, rather than publish them one-by-one.

Be mindful of the transient nature of Twitter: a tweet that you publish at 11am might not be seen by someone logging in at 11.10am if their newsfeed is busy. There’s no harm in tweeting the same content more than once – within reason! (Just make sure your tweets aren’t identical, as Twitter will automatically reject duplicated content.) This approach is especially valid if you publish your own blog pieces: you’ve put a lot of work into each article, so make sure you tweet it a few times to reach as wide an audience as possible.

4) Socialise Imagine going to a party and spending the whole time talking at everyone you meet, without ever letting them get a word in edgeways.

That’s what too many businesses do on Twitter: always remember the ‘social’ side of social media, and make sure you’re having two-way conversations.

The downside of the scheduling tools mentioned above is that it makes it very easy to treat your Twitter page as a digital megaphone. Avoid slipping into broadcast-only mode by regularly sending @ messages and retweets.

And finally, have fun! You can follow all these top Twitter tips and still end up with a boring profile. Don’t be afraid to use a little humour and show your personality.

Your followers will thank you for it, and so will your bottom line.

If you’d like some face-to-face help with the social media strategy for your business, sign up to our next workshop!

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Arrow Business Communications (Scotland) Limited opens new flagship office in Glasgow Arrow is delighted to announce that we have relocated our three Scottish businesses into spacious new premises in Scotland’s largest Business Park, Hillington Park.

Following the acquisition of Abica, PCR IT and Siebert Telecoms, our next step has been to create a new flagship office for Arrow in Glasgow.

Arrow strongly believes that a modern and dynamic working environment contributes towards a truly engaged workforce. Our goal always being to further develop our high standards of customer service and support our customers with their own technological evolution.

The 4,720sq ft office has been thoughtfully refurbished with relaxation areas for staff, standing desks and break out areas to meet today’s flexible working requirements.

Fifty staff members are now located in the Hillington Park office which includes Arrow’s external IT and Telecom support departments, engineering, account management, billing and finance functions.

CEO, Chris Russell comments, ‘The new office signals our commitment to become a leading force in the growing Scottish IT and Telecoms market. This is an opportunity for us to showcase Arrow’s solutions, expand our customer base and, most importantly, provide local support to our existing Scottish customers’.

“The Experience” in Hillington Park Friday Ist November 2019: 9.30am – 4.30pm £150 per person (+ VAT)

EMBRACE THE SPACE

NS DESIGN helps businesses do things better online.

Our next social media masterclass takes place on Friday 2nd August at “The Experience” in Hillington Park. We believe every business can get what they want from Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and the rest in less than 20 minutes a day. ‘Embrace The Space’ will show you how.

More details at www.embracethespace.co.uk

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it’s a pleasure.

Business Matters Autumn 2019

Chamber Members Discount Scheme Member Discoun Schemet

Fly Glasgow London Southend London’s Best Airport*

The bearer is entitled to discou the Renf nt Commerce rewshire Chambe under r of Mem for particip ber Discount Sche me ating busin esses.

BOOK TODAY AT LOGANAIR.CO.UK or via your business travel provider

Download and save the chamber member discount graphic from

www.renfrewshirechamber.com/membership/member-discount-scheme/ Simply display your graphic at point of sale with these participating members to enjoy an fantastic range of discounts! *Southend Airport - ranked Best London Airport by Which? 2018

Where next?

Offer 1: Get an extra special discount off award-winning flights to London’s Best Airport* – exclusively for Chamber Members.

Offer 2: Get 20% off Loganair’s fully Flexible fare “Fly Flex +” (includes Lounge Access and Fast-track security!)

Company: Loganair Use promocode: rchamber Try award-winning flights from Glasgow to London’s Best Airport* now, at loganair.co.uk

Offer: 10% off all funeral directors fees OR £100 off cost of a pre paid funeral plan Company: Kenneth Keegan Independent Funeral Directors Contact Name: Kenneth Keegan Designation: Director Contact Email: Kenneth@keeganfuneraldirectors.co.uk

Offer: 25% off first advert with Mill Magazine Company: Mill Magazine Ltd Contact Name: Paul Dickson Designation: Director Contact Email: paul@millmagazine.co.uk

Offer: a discount on Embrace the Space (social media for business masterclass) - £99 ticket (standard fee is £175) Company: NSDesign Contact Name: Gary Ennis Designation: Managing Director Contact Email: gary.ennis@gmail.com

Offer: 10 % Discount on permanent placement fees and a reduction on temporary rates Company: Allstaff Recruitment Contact Name: Carolyn Moir-Grant Contact email: cmoirgrant@allstaff.co.uk

Discount/Offer- VIAS will offer a discount of up to 20% on Training, Evaluations and Consultancy for Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

Company- Values Into Action Scotland, Offices 16-18, Hillington Business Centre, 15-17 Nasmyth Road, Hillington, Glasgow, G52 4NQ. Contact Name: John Brown - Development Lead Designation: Based in Hillington, Deliver across West of Scotland.

Contact Email: john.brown@viascotland.org.uk

Offer: Free 2 hour WordPress website consultation Company: We Do Fruition Contact Name: Alasdair Burns Designation: Chief Visualisation Officer Contact Email: alasdair@wedofruition.com Need help getting your WordPress website to perform better?

We do: websites from scratch, website face lifts, website updates & we even recycle websites! But above all we do websites that drive sales & keep search engines happy.

See what we can do for your business with a free 2 hour consultation!

Creating opportunities across Scotland

Offer: 15% off vinyl t-shirt printing and promo signage, Laser cut signage, 3D printed objects, Venue hire of Makerspace Corporate team development days using technology.

Company: Paisley YMCA Contact Name: Darran Gillan Designation: Youth & Programme Development Manager Contact Email: darran@paisleyymca.org

Offer: Free Protection for 12 months Company: NGM Accountants Contact Name: John Fairgrieve Designation: Director Contact Email: john.fairgrieve@ngmaccountants.com Free Fee Protection cover for the first year as a new client.

Worth up to £359. The cover means that if you get chosen for investigation by HMRC, you don’t pay any fees to NGM for defending you against HMRC or in supporting you and your business as part of their enquiry process.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

Offer: 10% discount on Bathrooms & Accessories Company: Wholesale Domestic Bathrooms Contact Name: Johanne Marwick Designation: Marketing Manager Contact Email: johanne.markwick@wholesaledomestic.com

Offer 1: 250 high quality matt lamination business cards designed & printed for only £20 Offer 2: Pop up roller banners designed and printed for £60 Company: Yellow Slate Design Contact Name: Xander Campbell 8 Browns Lane, Paisley.

Contact Email: info@yellowslatedesign.com

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Offer: 10% discount on first year accountancy services Company: JGBA Limited Contact Name: Johanna McLachlan Designation: Director Contact Email: johanna@jgbaaccountants.co.uk Discount / Offer: 10% discount on first year accountancy services

Offer: 20% discount off Boogie Nights & Christmas Party Nights Company: Erskine Bridge Hotel & Spa Contact Name: Tony Armour Designation: Events Manager Contact Email: tony.armour@theerskinebridgehotel.co.uk

Offer: One to one lessons in a wide range of instruments and group classes for children.

Company - The Diane Mitchell Music School Contact - Diane Mitchell 07896689816 Designation - Company Director Contact Email - Diane12m@yahoo.co.uk Offer/Discount - 1 class or lesson free when a block of 8 are booked.

Offer 1: 10% off accommodation Chamber members can call on 0141 843 4802 or email sales@courtyardmarriottglasgowairport.com and quote Renfrewshire Chamber to receive the discount.

Members can also book online www.marriott.com/glaca using corporate code COR.

Offer 2: 20% off the main menu in Bistro Chamber members can pop inti the Bistro for lunch or dinner and receive 20% off our main menu.

Members need only advise the Bistro team to receive the discount.

If you would like to book a table, please call on 0141 843 4800, option 2.

Offer: 10% Discount for anyone booking staff training days.

Comedy & Confidence Contact: Anna Devitt Contact Email: enquiries@comedyandconfidence.org

Offer: Up to £800 off of the supply and fit of Electrical Vehicle Charging Points for the home and work place.

A further 10% if a member of the Chamber plus 10% on any other electrical installations.

Company: Alwurk Eletric Ltd Contact Name: Peter Graham Designation: Director Contact Email: peter@alwurk.com

Offer: 25% off instant and take-home whitening services & 20% off facial rejuvenation treatment (fillers and botox) Company: Bluewater Dental Contact Name: Francesca Webster Designation: Practice Manager Contact Email: info@bluewaterdentist.co.uk

Offer: Royal Bank of Scotland is launching Scotland’s first women-only crowdfunding programme, as part of its efforts aims to encourage female entrepreneurship.

“Back Her Business” will offer financial support as well as bespoke training, coaching, networking and local events through the bank’s Entrepreneur Accelerator and its Women in Business proposition. Royal Bank of Scotland will provide a top-up fund of £1 million per annum and offer up to 50 per cent of an individual’s fundraising target – capped at £5,000 – for certain projects.

Company: Royal Bank of Scotland Contact - Samanatha Swift Designation: Business Growth Enabler Contact email: Samantha.Swift@rbs.co.uk

Offer: 10% Discount for all clients on their first and second placement Company: Stafffinders Contact: Rowenna George ( Business Manager) Contact Email: rowenna.george@staffinders.co.uk

Offer: 10% discount on Refurbishment/Fit-Out Projects Company: PMA Contracts Ltd Contact Name: Pauline Calder Contact Email: info@pmacontracts.co.uk

KPC Films Offer: 10 percent off our services.

Company: Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors Contact Name: Dionne Hunter Designation: Partner Contact Email: dhunter@kingsleywood.co.uk

Offer: Following an initial complimentary business review, book three months 1 to 1 or team coaching to support achievement of your business growth aspirations and receive a free fourth month.

Company: basics and beyond ltd Contact name: Michael Clerck Designation: Director Contact email: michael@basicsandbeyond.co.uk

Offer: 20% off final production budget for short film content KPC films is a new enterprise from award winning filmmaker Kevin Cameron. We create bespoke content for business and third sector clients so you don’t just tell your clients and customers are you let them see.

Company: kpcfilms.com Contact Name: Kevin Cameron Designation: Owner Contact Email: kpcameron@hotmail.com

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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ROCCO 2019 Shortlist announced Renfrewshire Chamber is delighted to announce the 2019 shortlist for their annual business awards, the ROCCOs. Now in their 16th Year, the ROCCOs are the premier business event in Renfrewshire. 17 winners will be announced at the ceremony hosted by ROCCO regular Fred MacAulay (15th November at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew). Returning as Main Sponsor is Paisley.is Commenting on the awards – Chamber chief executive Bob Grant said “thank you to all the organisations that entered, this year we have seen a record number of over 100 entries. As always the standard of entry was high so I know many people that are not shortlisted will be disappointed – we hope you will consider entering again next year. 15 of the 17 awards will require the shortlisted organisations to present to our judging panels w/c 21st Oct at the Chamber Business Centre, Glasgow Airport”.

The full shortlist is:

ROCCO Award for Excellence in Customer Services

ROCCO Award for Developing the Young Workforce West

sponsored by the Scottish Leather Group:

sponsored by Developing the Young Workforce (West):

• RAD Hotel Group Ltd - Dalmeny Park Hotel • Tastebuds Paisley • Wholesale Domestic Equipment Company Ltd

• British Airways • City Gate Construction • Morrison Construction

ROCCO Award for Innovation & Technology

ROCCO Award for Excellence in Manufacturing

sponsored by Creation IP: • NCT Leather and WJ & W Lang • Rolls-Royce Plc • Safer Scotland Ltd

Sponsored by the Advanced Forming Research Centre:

ROCCO Award for International Trade

Invest in Renfrewshire ROCCO Award

sponsored by Glasgow Airport:

sponsored by Invest in Renfrewshire / Renfrewshire Council:

• Bridge of Weir Leather Company • RSVP Design • Terumo Aortic

• Bridge of Weir Leather Company • Howden Compressors • Rolls-Royce Plc

• Clearview Minds Ltd • Paisley Autocare Ltd • Yellow Slate Design

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

25

ROCCO Award for Most Promising New Business

ROCCO Award for Excellence in Tourism

sponsored by Renfrewshire Council:

• Gleddoch Country Club & Hotel • Ingliston Country Club & Hotel • Open Road Scotland

sponsored by Paisley Is:

• Aspire Industrial Services • Angelini’s • Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company Ltd

ROCCO Award for Family Business of the Year

ROCCO Award for Young Business Person of the Year

sponsored by the Malcolm Group:

sponsored by Rolls-Royce:

• Acorn Carpet Cleaning • Ingliston Country Club & Hotel • Wholesale Domestic Equipment Company Ltd

• Gemma Hill - Forde Opticians • Ryan Clark - Safer Scotland Ltd • Euan McIntosh – Starkstrom Scotland Ltd

“ I’d like to update my professional qualifications ” West College Scotland offers a range of professional training and development courses to help you update your skills.

ROCCO Award for Employer of the Year sponsored by West College Scotland:

THE ROYAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

• Ingliston Country Club & Hotel • Rolls-Royce Plc • Wholesale Domestic Equipment Company Ltd

INSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND

First Aid

Clydebank Campus 0141 951 7555 Greenock Campus 01475 553 044 Paisley Campus 0141 581 2121

t

ROCCO Award for Community Champion of the Year sponsored by Engage Renfrewshire & Royal Bank of Scotland: • Rays of Hope • Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd • Royal Blind/Jenny’s Well

0300 600 6060

w www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Business <=5 FTE staff

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Business >5 & <25 staff

sponsored by intu Braehead:

sponsored by the University of the West of Scotland:

• Aillum Ltd • Clan Engineering (Scotland) Ltd • JGBA Limited

• Aspire Industrial Services Ltd • Iain Hill Ltd • Lochlie Construction Group

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Business >25 staff

ROCCO Award for Business Leader of the Year

Sponsored by Terumo Aortic:

Shortlisted nominations are: • Michelle Ferguson - Director, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company • Brian Toward - Finance & IT Director, Wholesale Domestic Equipment Company • Simon Hannah - Managing Director, JW Filshill Ltd • Andrew Colquhoun - CEO, Doosan Babcock The winner will be announced on the night

• Glasgow Airport Ltd • Manorview Hotels & Leisure Group • Wholesale Domestic Equipment Company Ltd

sponsored by Diageo:

ROCCO Award for Renfrewshire’s Favourite Business sponsored by the Paisley Daily Express: • Aesthetics Suites Paisley • Pace Theatre

• Tastebuds Paisley • White Cart Gifts

• Gantry, Paisley

Top 5 voting will open soon online with the Paisley Daily Express. The company with the most votes by 25th of October will be crowned the winner and announced on the night.

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Chamber launches new Customs Declaration Service ChamberCustoms delivers a customs declaration service for UK importers and exporters, of all sizes, in every region of the United Kingdom.

With our extensive knowledge, reputation and first-class service in facilitating international trade, we can take the hassle out of your hands when it comes to exporting and importing goods.

The service is offered direct to businesses and through UK freight forwarders, ensuring that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids additional costs through delays or errors.

With direct links to the HMRC Customs handling system and all inventory linked ports, we can ensure that your goods, no matter where they enter or leave the UK,

will be cleared for onward transportation smoothly. We can help you keep your time sensitive supply chains, moving efficiently and economically.

We offer: • A high level of compliance and assurance for customers • Confidence on tariff and data entry to remove fiscal risk; backed by the technical expertise of the market leader in this sector • A wealth of international trade experience and expertise from across the trusted Chamber of Commerce network UK. We know that navigating trade documentation can be complicated.

Please get in touch if you have any queries about trading internationally or want to find out more about customs declarations services.

Contact Laura Connor lconnor@ renfrewshirechamber.com or Carol Griffiths cgriffiths@renfrewshirechamber. com

Customs Declaration Training Is your business ready for Brexit?

Are you a customs agent? Or does your company use customs agents and intermediaries to help you trade with the EU? If so, you need to know how to meet customs requirements fast and efficiently after the UK leaves the EU. There will be new processes to follow and new forms to complete.

We can help.

Our training will highlight what you need to know to be able to accurately complete a simple customs declaration.

The Chamber of Commerce network has partnered with some of the leading industry experts to launch brand new Customs Declarations Training designed to prepare businesses and trade professionals for the future of trade.

The way we trade with the EU is about to change, introducing the need for forms and processes not previously required. Up-skilled people are the key to continued training success once the UK leaves the EU. The Customs Declarations Training programme delivers flexible, bite-sized

e-learning modules, classroom courses, and virtual classroom sessions.

Delegates: anyone who needs an understanding of Customs regimes and how to complete a Customs declaration form.

Grant funding: Applications for HMRC training funding has now closed.

Course pre-requisites: there are no pre-requisites for this course.

Course content is based on the following topics: • Introduction to Trade • Business Responsibilities • Export process • Import process • Valuation – explanation of the main methods and their application • Classification – determining the use of commodity codes • Using Customs Procedure Codes – use of appropriate CPCs • Export and import controls • Reliefs • Preferences • Customs simplified procedures – explanation of procedures and benefits

Assessment: no formal exam will be taken however delegates will get to complete simulated forms to ensure they can complete simple customs declarations correctly.

Course Options: Face to face classroom courses* (full day classroom delivery): • Accredited Chamber members £280 + VAT • Non-members £350 + VAT * Please note: Pricing includes additional complementary access to a 3-hour online training course.

Online e-learning • Accredited Chamber members £190 + VAT • Non-members £230 + VAT Registering interest: To register interest please email Laura Connor lconnor@renfrewshirechamber.com

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Chamber Events Pictures Up & Coming

See our events section on our website: www.renfrewshirechamber.com • 0141 847 5450 events@renfrewshirechamber.com Pitch & Roll Networking with Abbey Mill Wed 30th October 8:00 am - 9:15 am FREE to attend for Renfrewshire Chamber members & Abbey Mill Tenants

Aug Lunch - Eddie Robertson, MD Morrison Construction

Aug Pitch & Roll, Abbeymill

Pupils from Johnstone High attend Aug Lunch

Digital Mentoring Group with Gary Ennis NSDesign

June Lunch with Brian Costello Headstrong

Oct Lunch - Lord Thurso, VisitScotland with Tom Johnston

HR Forum with MacRoberts.

Tues 12th Nov 12.30pm-2pm. topic “Managing health in the workplace”.

Free to attend for Members, includes lunch November Networking Lunch Thurs 28th November with Bob Davidson, Developing the Young Workforce West.

Venue tbc SME’s & Third sector ‘Working together to keep your Business safe online’ Free Training Thurs 5th December 1.30pm-4pm.

UWS, Paisley.

Maximise Your Membership Tuesday 10th December 12.30pm-2pm For new members, how to get the most from your chamber membership, free to attend, lunch included SkyAdsmart with Kevin Park, KPC Films

SkyAdsmart with David Montgomery, Media Monty

ROCCO 2019 Friday 15th November 2019 at the Normandy with Host Fred MacAulay.

BUSINESS AWARDS 2019

AGM and Christmas Lunch, Glynhill Thurs 19th December 11.30am -2.15pm AGM – 11.30am-12pm – free members only.

Christmas Lunch 12pm-2.15pm Members £35+vat Non members £45+vat Entertainment & Raffle for Accord facebook.com/renfrewshirechamberofcommerce Follow the chamber:

twitter.com/renfrewshirecoc Lord Thurso meets WCS Students

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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Chamber Office & Business Centre Refurbishment

The chamber have recently completed a refurbishment of the Business Centre and Chamber offices. Thanks to members Carpetworks, Adam Decorators and Rakkaus Furniture for their help with the project.

Bob Grant said “the business centre & office refurbishment represents a significant investment in our office space and offers a very competitive, modern meeting room facility at an excellent location. I would encourage members to enquire about holding your next meeting here and experience all that the business centre has to offer. Members qualify for a 10 % discount and we operate a price guarantee policy, providing the most cost effective meeting rooms in the area, along with parking at Glasgow Airport.”

WHAT WE OFFER Our meeting rooms are located in the admin building at Glasgow Airport where the Chamber is based, adjacent to the Terminal Building directly across from the Holiday Inn Express and has conference and venue rooms for hire. Our facilities are modern and professional and provide the ideal environment for hosting meetings, training sessions, interviews, workshops and presentations. We offer a complete package with our catering menus having choices to suit all tastes and budgets.

AMENITIES • Warm beverages & catering • Conference spider phone • LED screens (take HDMI & VGA/audio) • Photocopier/fax machine

• Flip chart • Free wifi • Free parking CAPACITY Beardmore up to 6, Barnwell up to 16, Spence up to 18. Rooms are board room style as standard, but can be easily modified to accommodate your needs, such as classroom or theatre style.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Talking tourism in Renfrewshire VisitScotland Chairman Lord Thurso was in Renfrewshire on Thursday 17th October where he met the region’s local tourism industry.

Lord Thurso attended the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce’s October Networking Lunch at the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew. This was followed by a tour of Paisley Museum, currently undergoing a £42m re-design and is set to re-open in 2022. He observed the development work before he met with key players in the region’s tourism industry at the University of West of Scotland’s Paisley Campus.

The national tourism organisation’s Chair joined VisitScotland Regional Director Gordon Smith, along with members of the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, Renfrewshire Council and local tourism stakeholders on an exclusive tour where they could observe the progress and learn more about what the attraction will offer.

The museum is being transformed into an international-class venue housing the town’s outstanding collections and bringing to the life the stories of the town, its people and the world-famous Paisley Pattern. The revamped museum is expected to attract 125,000 visits a year, almost four times the numbers it experienced before the re-development began.

Lord Thurso meets Tourism Students from UWS

The Chamber of Commerce lunch was attended by 70 members of the area’s tourism industry. Lord Thurso gave a speech about his experiences in tourism, 50 years of VisitScotland and what the future holds for Renfrewshire and the rest of Scotland. This was followed by a Q&A session before everyone sat down to lunch.

Lord Thurso also walked through the town centre where he was able to view the Spiegeltent, the main venue for The Spree, Paisley’s annual arts and culture festival.

It is one of Paisley’s signature events that attracts visitors from out with the region, alongside the award-winning Paisley Halloween Festival, which is supported

by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

He also had the opportunity to observe

Lord Thurso Renfrewshire Chamber Networking Lunch

The Secret Collection, the first publicly accessible museum store on a UK high street, and the site of the Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub – a modern facility housing library services due to open in a formerly-empty High St unit in 2021.

VisitScotland Chairman Lord Thurso, said: “This was a valuable opportunity to talk tourism with local businesses, stakeholders and the Chamber of Commerce. Renfrewshire displays real ambition in its drive for tourism and VisitScotland is delighted to be working with such strong and committed partners.

“We want to champion collaboration, promote local areas and events and ensure that tourism is recognised for the positive impact it brings to Renfrewshire and the rest of Scotland.”

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “I was delighted to be able to help welcome Lord Thurso to Paisley, and for him to be able to hear more about the work happening to build on the area’s fast-growing reputation as one of Scotland’s must-see visitor destinations.

“Paisley is connected to the world with superb transport links, a unique historic story and a collection of listed buildings second only to Edinburgh.

“The area is already seeing visitor numbers on the rise, including the 160,000 attendees a year to our programme of major events, such as The Spree festival, happening in the town just now.

“That will only grow in the years ahead with the multi-million-pound programme of investment in Paisley’s venues and outdoor spaces, including the £42m transformation of Paisley Museum into a world-class destination showing off our unique and internationally-significant collections.

(Left to right) Bob Grant, Cllr Iain Nicolson, Lord Thurso, Tom Johnston

“All of the above will continue to bring visitors into Paisley and Renfrewshire from throughout Scotland, the UK and abroad, and we are delighted to be working closely with VisitScotland to harness the benefits of that for all involved.”

Bob Grant, Chief Executive for Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We were delighted to welcome Lord Thurso as our guest speaker. To have high profile leadership focusing attention on the visitor economy in Renfrewshire highlights the crucial role our businesses have in expanding the sector. With VisitScotland’s support and strong partnership our companies can upskill, raise their digital presence and take advantage of the growing profile of Renfrewshire as an exciting destination of choice.”

Lord Thurso was appointed as VisitScotland Chairman in 2016 having already gained a huge amount of experience in the tourism industry. At 27 he became Europe’s youngest Five Star hotel manager as Managing Director of the Savoy Group’s Lancaster Hotel in Paris and then went on to lead a number of hospitality businesses to success including Blakeney Hotels of Cliveden, which became the UK’s highest rated hotel under his leadership.

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[Your own chambers logo goes here] [Your own chambers logo goes here]

People power People power makes business great. makes business great.

Let’s work together.

Let’s work together.

As a Chamber of Commerce member, you’re never alone.

As a Chamber of Commerce We believe in Business Togetherness – member, you’re never alone.

HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP:

UPCOMING EVENT

Peer-to-peer support Working Better Together and join us at our offices premises Whatever your business, Come EVENT to HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP: whatever the issue,UPCOMING on 10th December to learn more our advisors are here for you. And we’re learn more about how the services Peer-to-peer support Working Better Together about how the support your voice on a national and international and support weservices offer canand benefit Whatever your business, whatever the issue, Come and join us at our offices to we’re a collective force, here to help firms of level too, putting your concerns on the UK’s your business.

Fromyour profile-raising we offer can benefit business. our advisors are here for you. And we’re learn more about how the services business agenda. and training to international Fromstaff profile-raising and staff training We believe in and Business Togetherness all sizes sectors to grow and –thrive. your voice on a national and international and support we offer can benefit market access, we’ll putaccess, you in to international market we’re a collective force, here to help firms of level too, putting your your business. From profile-raising Networking andconcerns events on the UK’s touch with practical solutions. we’ll put you in touch with practical We’re passionate about supercharging the business agenda. and staff training to international all sizes and sectors to grow and thrive.

Meeting other business minds is a key way to solutions. marketCan’t access, we’ll youus in at the people power that can help our towns, cities, develop and grow. We offer you the opportunity make it?put Email Networking and events touch with practical solutions.

We’reregions passionate about supercharging the to connect with the right people and learn more and nation run brilliantly – and our Meeting address below and we’ll setthe up a Can’t make it?

Email us at other business minds is a key way to about the issues that interest you. meeting at a time that works for you. people power that canexperience help our towns, cities, address below and knowledge and of local businessdevelop and grow. We offer you the opportunity Can’t make it? Email us atwe’ll the set up a meeting at a time that works for you. regions and nation run brilliantly – and our to connect with the right people and learn more address below and we’ll set up a means we’re the go-to source of trusted Recruitment and training about the issues that interest you. meeting at a time that works for you. knowledge and experience local business We’ll help you find the best people for your support and advice forofcompanies like yours. business and get the best out of them with the means we’re the go-to source of trusted Recruitment and training skills training you need.

We’ll help you find the best people for your support and advice for companies like yours. business and get the best out of them with the Get in touch Find out how you can benefit skills training you need.

Email Carrino Find out how you can benefit from joining us at Get inJill touch

jcarrino@renfrewshirechamber.com Call us [insert number] Get inEmail touchus [insert email] Call us [insert number] Email us [insert email]

from joining us at http://www.renfrewshirechamber.com/membership/ Find out how you can benefit [Insert web url] from joining us at [Insert web url]

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

31

New Members On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Chamber staff, we would like to welcome onboard the following new members.

Aspire Industrial Services

The Ferguslie Group

Safer Scotland Ltd

Branding, Industrial, Work/School wear Claire Donnelly / James Robertson 0141 882 3875 claire@aspireglasgow.com james@aspireglasgow.com

Housing Association Ivor McCauley 0141 887 4053 ivormccauley@fpha.org.uk

Private Security Services Ryan Clark 0141 354 1570 ryan.clark@saferscotland.co.uk

Zilverberg Consulting Limited

Trade Right International CIC

Business and Legal Advice David Flint df@zilverbergconsulting.com

Natural & Organic Skincare Trevor Gregory 01475 786059 trev@traderightinternational.com

Company Shop Group Re-distributer of Surplus Food Keerti Baker Keerti.Baker@companyshop.co.uk

Doosan Babcock Ltd Engineering & Construction Tracey Rundell 0141 885 3689 tracey.rundell@doosan.com

Pinnacle Business Water Water Supplier Ewan Hardy 0141 212 0210 ewan.hardy@pinnaclebusinesswater.co.uk

Pinnacle Procurement Procurement Services Ewan Hardy 0141 212 0211 ewan.hardy@pinnacleprocurement.co.uk

Specsavers Paisley Opticians and Audiologists Gail Thompson 0141 848 9192 gail.thompson@specsavers.com

Acorn Carpet Cleaning Carpet Cleaning Ewan Hardy 0141 212 0212 ewan.hardy@acorncarpetclean.co.uk

Document Data Group Document Data Douglas Stewart 01355 207 255 douglasstewart@documentdtatgroup.com

JGB Steelcraft (UK) Ltd Steel Fabrication Andrew Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien 0141 892 2000 marketing@jgbsteelcraft.co.uk

Radiate Learning Ltd Training / Coaching Rae McNicol rae.mcnicol@gmail.com

Finding Your Feet Charity Support Amputees Corrine Hutton 0141 258 4868 info@findingyourfeet.net

Plush Plans Ltd Property Marketing Services Karen Crossan 0141 471 8079 info@plushplans.co.uk

Professional Beauty Systems Beauty systems Brian Aitken 0141 812 5000 salesinfo@pbs-beauty.com

Business Matters Autumn 2019

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Ingliston Country Club & Hotel

Whether it’s for a relaxing overnight stay in one of our lodges, complete with hot tubs and saunas, to our boutique hotel with spectacular views of the Old Kilpatrick hills, or a trip to our spa for a massage or to dine in Palomino’s our restaurant and cocktail bar then Ingliston Country Club & Hotel is the perfect place to come and spend a weekend. Conveniently located just 10 minutes from Glasgow Airport you will find there is always something to do at Ingliston.

Celebrate the magic of a Traditional Christmas at Ingliston Country Club & Hotel. Share the joy of the Christmas season with your family and friends by joining in a variety of planned events throughout the festive season. This includes: • Christmas Light Switch On - Wednesday 13th November 2019 • The Spirit Of Christmas Festive Market Sunday 15th December 2019 • Santa’s Grotto - 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd December 2019

The fabulous festive menu in Palomino’s restaurant is available from 1st until 24th December and will really tempt your Christmas taste buds! Come along between 12pm - 9pm to enjoy a delicious festive meal in a heart-warming setting and for larger parties the VIP area can cater for up to 30 guests. Once the shopping is done and the stockings are hung get into the festive spirit and enjoy Christmas Eve at Palomino’s. Unwind with fantastic food and live music from resident musician Alan Cranney.

Christmas Day at Ingliston Country Club & Hotel will be a real treat, with Christmas Dinner sittings starting at 1pm and 5pm. Palomino’s will be open until late to let you celebrate this special time of year with your loved ones. Feel the magic of Christmas as the doors open to the Winter Wonderland for one day only.

Located within the internal Marquee and open to residents and diners, it is the perfect place to relax and unwind before or after Christmas dinner. It will include festive fun for the whole family - meet

Santa and his elves, watch festive films and join in the fun at the activity stations for all ages.

The fun doesn’t stop there, Celebrate the New Year in style at the “Roaring into the ‘20s” celebration, it’s the perfect way to say a fond farewell to 2019. Start your evening with sparkling champagne and dine on a delicious meal followed by dancing through the decades with the fantastic Sahara, one of Scotland’s most talented, young, dynamic and versatile bands.

As the countdown to the New Year begins stand alongside the piper and toast to 2020. Finish the evening by dancing the night away to resident DJ’s The 2 Fat DJ’s.

You can also enhance your Christmas experience by staying with Ingliston Country Club & Hotel this Christmas, choose from the stunning boutique hotel or luxury lodges, with accommodation to suit everyone.

To book call 01505864333 (ext3) or email events@ingliston.com

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

HOTE L

GLISTON IN

& UB

UNTRY CL CO

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The Magic of Christmas Come and celebrate the magic of a traditional Christmas at Ingliston Country Club & Hotel.

• Palomino’s Festive Menu throughout December • Christmas Lights Switch On • Christmas Party Nights • Breakfast with Santa • Santa’s Grotto • Christmas Day Lunch & Dinner • Hogmanay – bring in The Bells

Download our Festive brochure at

www.ingliston.com Ingliston Estate, Old Greenock Road, Bishopton, Renfrewshire, PA7 5PA T: 01505 864333 (ext 3) E: events@ingliston.com

34

Business Matters Autumn 2019

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Leading contractor open for business in Renfrewshire Morrison Construction is a leading contractor in Scotland, looking to develop further business opportunities in Renfrewshire.

Over the past five years across Scotland, more than £1 billion in public and private sector projects have been successfully delivered.

Based in Glasgow, our Building Scotland Central business has an award-winning portfolio covering a range of activities, from multi-million pound developments to specialist projects.

Managing Director Eddie Robertson was guest speaker at the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce networking lunch in August, sharing the successes of the business in the local community.

This event was enjoyed only weeks after the business entered a team in the Renfrewshire Chamber annual golf day challenge, joining fundraising efforts for St Vincent’s Hospice.

Currently, the business is undertaking a £3.9m specialist extension project for

the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre Future Forge at Inchinnan. Once delivered the state-of-theart facility will be the world’s most advanced hot forging research platform.

This contract was awarded through the £250m University of Strathclyde major building works framework, on which, Morrison Construction holds a position as one of four primary contractors.

Morrison Construction’s social value programme ensures projects have longterm positive impacts in the communities the business works through established partnerships with local education providers and employers.

At the AFRC project a three-month summer placement was undertaken by our recently recruited Graduate Construction Manager. Since successfully completing their placement in August they are continuing studies at Glasgow Caledonian University while now working two days a week on site.

Building partnerships with third sector organisations is another way the business

provides social value, such as, providing supply chain opportunities to social enterprise companies. Within Renfrewshire a partnership has been developed with Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, a provider of employment and support for 150 former military personnel.

As a leading provider of education buildings within Scotland, Morrison Construction handed over more than 21 schools across Scotland in 2018. One of these schools was St Paul’s Primary School and Foxlea Early Learning and Childcare Centre successfully delivered for Renfrewshire Council.

Pupils and teachers have enjoyed their first year in the new school moving in before the beginning of the school year in August 2018. The new £8.5 million shared campus is an example of one of the many high-quality education facilities we delivered, earning the business a nomination at the Education Buildings Scotland Awards 2019 for Contractor of the Year.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN RENFREWSHIRE We are a leading contractor in Scotland looking to develop further local business opportunities, providing long-term benefits to the communities we work in through our progressive social value programme.

2nd Floor, Rowan House, 1 Robroyston Oval, Glasgow

morrisonconstruction.co.uk

@morrisonbuilds

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Working together for a thriving Renfrewshire

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Local business supports this strategy. We all share a collective pride in Renfrewshire and we are determined to deliver long-term economic success.â&#x20AC;?

James Lang, Scottish Leather Group Director and Chair of the Renfrewshire Economic Leadership Panel

#OurRenfrewshire

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Renfrewshire’s Economic Strategy 2020-2030 has been developed by the region’s business leaders and is endorsed by Renfrewshire Council.

It sets out how together we will overcome our economic challenges and achieve six strategic ambitions.

Add over 9,000 jobs to the economy from our interventions and planned actions

Add an additional £400million GVA each year to the Renfrewshire economy

Grow the workingage population by 5,000 people

Reduce economic inactivity by 15%, bringing over 3,000 local people into the workforce

Reduce by 60% the number of businesses reporting skills gap/ shortages impacting on their performance

Grow the Renfrewshire manufacturing sector by 30% (£GVA)

“It is vital that, as we invest in our economic future, we ensure Renfrewshire is a place of inclusive growth where no one is left behind.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson

Renfrewshire today

Renfrewshire in 2030

Renfrewshire is a place of culture and creativity, with a strong economy, rich in manufacturing, globally connected and investing £1.4billion in innovation, economic infrastructure and skills. Home to more than 5,600 businesses, Renfrewshire has a high employment rate and exports £2billion of goods and services worldwide. We are the base for some of the UK’s biggest engineering, technology and logistics companies.

More people will live, learn and work here.

Our inclusive economy will provide people with more secure earnings and greater earning power.

An entrepreneurial culture will support new and growing businesses to succeed and education and skills provision will be aligned to the needs of the local economy.

It is a place of learning with a college, university and established economic programmes supporting employment and business growth. Connected by air, sea and land, Renfrewshire is open for business and the perfect place for inward investment. We face significant challenges too, with a declining working-age population, many people economically inactive and employers reporting skills gaps and shortages, while too many businesses are not surviving their third year.

Improved infrastructure will see better public transport and new digital connectivity, while 5,000 new homes will create places for families to grow and people to prosper. Renfrewshire will be the beating heart of Scottish manufacturing through development of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) and our cultural venues and outdoor spaces will be transformed, attracting more tourists and visitors to share in our story.

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/economicstrategy

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Renfrewshire Council Updates: Largest UK leather manufacturer confirms plans to expand in Renfrewshire as region pledges 9000 new jobs

Back L-R Sian Parfitt DXC, Ross Nimmo Glasgow Airport, Hisashi Kuboyama FSB, Garry Ennis NSDesign, Mark Newlands Scottish Enterprise, Bob Grant Renfrewshire Chamber, Johnny Mone UWS, Marcus Dean Abbeymill Business Centre, Stuart Macmillan Renfrewshire Council, Iain McFadyen Scottish Leather Group, Alasdair Morrison Renfrewshire Council. Front L-R James Lang Scottish Leather Group, Sandra Black Renfrewshire Council, Cabinet Secretary Derek Mackay, Liz Connolly West College Scotland, Iain Nicolson Renfrewshire Council.

Confirmation that the UK’s largest leather manufacturer will open a new facility in Renfrewshire is being hailed as ‘the first step’ in ambitious growth plans to add more than 9000 jobs to the local economy by 2030.

Scottish Leather Group employ more than 800 people at its Bridge of Weir, Paisley and Glasgow sites and have confirmed they are opening a new Paisley hub by autumn 2020, creating 100 skilled jobs to provide high-end car seat upholstery.

This comes as Renfrewshire business leaders set out the strategy to grow the local economy and seize on £1.4billion being invested in infrastructure, innovation and skills across the region.

Around 100 guests gathered at Abbey Mill Business Centre for the official launch of Renfrewshire’s Economic Strategy 2020-2030.

Its development has been led by the Renfrewshire’s Economic Leadership Panel, which draws together leaders from across the private and public sector, enterprise agencies and education and skills experts.

Alongside the jobs pledge, the strategy aims to increase GVA by £400million a year and expand Renfrewshire’s manufacturing sector by 30%.

Plans are also in place to grow the working age population by 5000 people and reduce economic inactivity by 15%, bringing 3000 local people into the workforce, while Renfrewshire businesses will benefit from actions to reduce skills gaps and shortages.

Derek Mackay, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work said: “Scotland is an attractive place to do business with a skilled workforce and companies like Scottish Leather Group expanding their operations is testament to this. I welcome the publication of Renfrewshire’s Economic Strategy which will help develop the local economy further.”

Scottish Leather Group Director James Lang, Chair of Renfrewshire’s Economic Leadership Panel, said: “Renfrewshire offers the perfect environment for

businesses to flourish and we are delighted to be expanding our Renfrewshire operation further with this important new facility in Paisley.

“These jobs are an important first step in our ambitions for Renfrewshire.

Renfrewshire’s Economic Strategy is the culmination of close partnership working between the private and public sector and achieving its ambitious aims will require our continued collaboration, drive and passion.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “I am confident we will deliver a thriving Renfrewshire and we are already making great progress.

Guided by this strategy and through the private and public sector working together, we will achieve a strong and inclusive economy, bringing more people into work with more secure earnings and greater earning power.”

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

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Renfrewshire Council Updates:

£2million boost for Paisley Museum project aimed at visitor economy Renfrewshire’s visitor economy received a welcome boost as the Scottish Government has committed £2million towards the ongoing transformation of Paisley Museum.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop revealed the Scottish Government support at the launch of Renfrewshire’s Economic Strategy 2020-2030, which lays out plans to grow the area’s economy over the next decade.

Renfrewshire already attracts around 2.25million day visitors each year - worth a combined £62.5million to the local economy and the economic strategy sets out plans to grow the tourism and visitor sector through projects like the museum and by expanding Renfrewshire’s creative industries.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I am pleased to announce that the Scottish Government is contributing £2 million to the ambitious Paisley Museum project, which will engage the local community and showcase the design heritage of this town to the wider world, while contributing to the overall regeneration of Paisley.”

Paisley Museum will reopen in 2022 as a leading European museum telling the town’s internationally-significant story, expected to draw audiences from Scotland, the UK and abroad and almost quadruple visitor numbers to 125,000 a year.

The building is being redesigned by international architects AL_A – led by Stirling Prize winner Amanda Levete.

The transformation includes a new wing to the existing building and attractive outdoor garden – opening-up access to the Coats Observatory and reconnecting it and the museum to the town’s High Street – as well as internal renovations to improve accessibility and allow the museum to double the number of objects on show.

The project is expected to create a £79million boost for the local economy over 30 years, with 138 jobs supported during construction, and more than 48 jobs per year through revenue and visitor spending.

The museum is part of Renfrewshire Council’s £100million investment in venues and outdoor spaces which includes

James Lang Chair Economic Leadership Panel, Derek Mackay Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy & Fair Work, Fiona Hyslop Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism & External Affairs, Iain Nicolson Leader Renfrewshire Council

turning Paisley Town Hall into a landmark entertainment venue to preserve its place at the heart of life in the town, and finding new cultural uses for former retail units including a new learning and cultural hub offering library services at the heart of the town’s High Street.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Growing our tourism and visitor numbers is a key focus of our

work to create a strong, thriving local economy. Paisley Museum Reimagined will enable us to share our story with the world and create a world-class destination that will attract more visitors to Renfrewshire. I am delighted that the Scottish Government is fully behind the project and welcome their support as we invest in our unique culture and heritage to transform our future.”

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Renfrewshire Council Updates:

Work starts on Scotland’s advanced manufacturing innovation district

Photo shows Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work Derek Mackay; Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Steve Dunlop and Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron joined by Inchinnan Primary School pupils Maya Jones and Scott Miller to mark work starting on developing the Advanced manufacturing Innovation District Scotland.

Spades have hit the ground on a major manufacturing district next to Glasgow Airport which is set to create thousands of new jobs in Renfrewshire.

Renfrewshire Council is leading development of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland – known as AMIDS – in partnership with Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.

The completed district is estimated to create up to 6000 jobs and boost Scotland’s manufacturing sector by £535million in GVA a year.

A 52-hectare campus at the heart of the district will house companies harnessing new technologies and accessing cutting edge research.

It offers 1.6million square feet of available floor space and is confirmed as the location for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.

Work has now started on constructing the enabling infrastructure, which includes new roads, bridges, cycling routes and pedestrian walkways, funded through the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal, jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments.

Derek Mackay, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work said: “I am delighted to celebrate work starting on the new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).

Manufacturing is vitally important to the Scottish economy and AMIDS, and the companies it will attract, will help realise our ambitions for Scotland to become a global leader in advanced manufacturing.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Colin Clark said: “I want to see the Glasgow City Region thrive as a powerhouse of economic growth.

It’s vital that we invest in the skills,

industries and infrastructure that will help businesses create high-paying jobs for the future.”

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “”The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland will provide fantastic employment opportunities and support companies of all shapes and sizes to prosper. Its success will be built on close collaboration and cooperation.

“We know that from great connectivity to a highly-skilled workforce, we have the right ingredients in Renfrewshire to deliver on its amazing potential and place Renfrewshire at the beating heart of Scottish manufacturing. I am personally very proud that new products for a new world will be made in Renfrewshire.”

The enabling works are scheduled for completion in early 2021 and will also strengthen connections to nearby Westway and Inchinnan Business Parks.

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Renfrewshire Council Updates:

International interest to build first opening bridge over the River Clyde Three international engineering teams are in the running to build the first opening road bridge over the River Clyde.

The crossing connecting Renfrew to Clydebank and Yoker will require hundreds of construction staff and forms the centre-piece of a major infrastructure project to transform the Clyde waterfront.

Following an initial selection stage earlier this year, Renfrewshire Council has now invited three bidders to participate in the detailed tendering stage of the procurement process.

These are: • ARC – a joint venture of Roadbridge and American Bridge supported by COWI as design partner, whose previous projects include the construction of the iconic Queensferry Crossing and the Tappan Zee Bridge over New York’s Hudson River • A Balfour Beatty team, comprising Cleveland Bridge, Qualter Hall and consultants Atkins. They have delivered the Media City Swing Bridge in Salford and are currently replacing the Surf City Swing Bridge in North Carolina.

• Construction and civil engineering company GRAHAM, working with Hollandia and Ramboll - GRAHAM and Hollandia were both involved in the construction of the Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin whilst Ramboll led the Design Joint Venture of the Queensferry Crossing.

Jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, the £90.7million Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project includes a 184 metre-long, twin-leaf cablestayed swing bridge accommodating vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians and opening horizontally for passing ships.

Scottish Government Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said: “I’m delighted to see the progress being made on the Glasgow City Region Deal as our partners look to drive inclusive economic growth, utilising the Scottish Government’s more than £500 million investment in the area.

“It’s particularly pleasing that this project will open up access to new opportunities around the River Clyde

Photo shows an artist impression of the proposed River Clyde bridge. Credit Kettle Collective/Sweco.

and help further spread the benefits of our investment made in other key infrastructure locally, such as the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the upcoming National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.”

UK Government Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “It’s great to see the progress being made on the first and largest growth deal in Scotland, which the UK Government is supporting through its £523 million investment.

The funding is already delivering real benefits for people who live and work in the region and this particular crossing will make a huge difference to the Clyde waterfront.

“To date the UK Government has committed more than £1.39 billion of Growth Deal investment to support sustainable growth in Scotland and create jobs and opportunities for the future.”

Leading engineering firm Sweco worked with Kettle Collective – the architects behind the Falkirk Wheel – to draw up initial designs for the bridge which draw on the area’s rich shipbuilding heritage.

Also included in the project is more than 2km of new and improved roads and shared cycle and pedestrian routes, including connections into the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland being developed next to Glasgow Airport.

Each team has received the full

tendering pack which comprises more than 750 documents and 300 drawings.

It is anticipated the successful team will be appointed in early 2020 and construction is scheduled to start later that year and be completed in 2022.

“More than 470 people will be involved in the initial construction and a further 2300 jobs are expected to follow over the next decade through the new developments and business growth it attracts,” added Councillor Nicolson.

“Independent analysis ranks it one of the top-performing economic growth projects in the west of Scotland and we’re excited by its economic potential and by the benefits it brings for residents on both sides of the river.”

Bob Grant, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a hugely exciting project which will bolster business growth along the Clyde – adding to the significant job opportunities coming to the manufacturing innovation district being developed next to Glasgow Airport.

“I would urge local businesses to ensure they are registered on Public Contracts Scotland as this is where sub-contractor opportunities will be published.

“Renfrewshire has a highly skilled workforce and I’m sure the opportunities ahead will also be of great interest to students at University of the West of Scotland and West College Scotland.”

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Renfrewshire Council Updates:

Details revealed for £7.5m sport facilities transformation

New plans for a £7.5m transformation of Renfrewshire’s sport facilities - including a new international-standard hockey pitch and cycling track - have been approved by councillors.

The council set aside the budget in 2017 with the initial plan being to invest in a number of new facilities at Paisley’s St James Playing Fields subject to further detailed study and ground analysis.

Revised plans have now been prepared which will see investment in Ferguslie Sport Centre and the On-X in Linwood, while still delivering major improvements at St James.

St James Playing Fields (£3.25m) • complete replacement of the current outdated pavilion with new modern changing facilities, with four good-quality grass football pitches to be maintained; • road repairs and resurfacing, with a new hard-standing area for parking; • at the suggestion of the local community, a new gravel path for walkers and dog walkers around the edge of the park, linking the access road with the local footpath network.

Linwood On-X (£3m) • upgrading the existing sand-based hockey pitch to an international-standard water-based surface, which Renfrewshire does not have - potentially allowing 18-time men’s Scottish champions Kelburne Hockey Club, who currently play in Glasgow, to return to their home area; • a new closed road circuit for cycling and running, creating a new community facility which would also allow the On-X to host multi-sports events such as triathlons; • with work due to start for Kilbarchan Athletics Club to build an indoor sprint track and gym at the On-X athletics track,

the proposed developments would bring new use for existing facilities and see the On-X become the area’s centre of sporting excellence; • Councillors also approved a loan of £200,000 to Kilbarchan Athletics Club to help them make up an unexpected shortfall in their funding for that project.

Ferguslie Sports Centre (£1m) • a revamp and expansion of the existing and outdated changing rooms, plus upgrades to the two existing grass pitches.

• £250,000 of the overall £7.5m budget for this programme has already been spent on a new 4G artificial football pitch at this site, which opened last year and has already proved popular; The timeline for the proposed projects would see all work complete by end 2021.

The initial St James plans originally included an area for large outdoor events as well as new sports facilities - however after discussion with promoters and businesses it was decided to keep the area’s major events focused on its town centres.

At the same time, detailed examination of the ground conditions at St James revealed extra work would be needed to allow major development - meaning there is better value for money in spreading the investment in sports facilities across multiple sites.

The £7.5m budget for sports facilities is part of the £100m investment being made in Paisley’s cultural venues and outdoor spaces over the next few years.

That includes a transformation of Paisley Museum into an international-class destination, and work to preserve Paisley’s Town Hall’s place at the heart of the town as a landmark entertainment venue.

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper

www.paisley.is � ��

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Aspire Shakes Up Scottish Uniform Market with New Schoolwear Division Aspire Industrial Services is to increase its headcount by nearly 50% following the launch of its new schoolwear division.

The Glasgow-based firm has set up Aspire Academy to give parents a more affordable and accessible way of shopping for their children’s uniforms. It is initially targeting the market across Scotland’s central belt, where approximately 300 public and private schools are in operation.

Five primary schools have already agreed to give Aspire Academy access to next year’s incoming P1 students at their forthcoming induction meetings, which has prompted the company to invest in a second embroidery machine. Headed

by James Robertson, a former manager with retailer New Look, the schoolwear business will lead to the creation of five new jobs.

Set up in November 2017, family-owned Aspire provides consumables, plant hire, tools and workwear to the demolition, construction and asbestos sectors.

With in-house embroidery and printing

facilities already serving the corporate and workwear markets, managing director Claire Donnelly said the move into school uniforms was the next logical step.

“I know from doing it with my own children that shopping for school clothes can be a nightmare,” Claire said. “The schoolwear market is very outdated, and for the last couple of years I have been hearing a lot of noise from other parents who are not happy with how it works – they have to travel too far, or the clothes don’t arrive on time – things like that.

“We’ve applied modern retailing techniques to the traditional industrial sectors that we serve, which sets us apart from the crowd and has allowed us to grow rapidly. We’re now going to do the same with Aspire Academy.”

As part of that strategy, Aspire Academy has agreed terms to open a pop-up shop in Glasgow’s Braehead Shopping Centre from June through to August of next year.

This will give parents direct access to what they are ordering in a convenient and welcoming location.

“It’s fantastic because we will be next

James Robertson

to the entrance of Primark, which has a huge footfall,” Claire said. “In total we will get about 600 hours of that passing footfall, which is going to include a lot of parents and their children.”

DYW West update We are delighted to introduce our new Programme Executive for Renfrewshire – Clarke Speirs. Clarke joins us from the recruitment industry and prior to that was with Ingeus working on employability.

Clarke joined us at the end of September and is the main DYW West contact for all education / industry contacts in the Renfrewshire region. If you would like to get more involved with schools / college for example by giving a talk / hosting a tour / attending a careers event / offering work experience or taking on an apprentice or marketing any opportunities suitable for young people to a wider audience, then please get in touch via clarke. speirs@dywwest.co.uk Clarke replaces Paula Leca whom many members will have met over the last 3 years. Paula was a great asset to DYW West and has now moved on to a new and exciting STEM role at the Glasgow Science Centre where we wish her all the best for the future.

Our largest event of the year, STEM West, returns on Nov 25-26 2019. This cross-region event showcases STEM related industries in and around the region in a hands on & inspiring way to 600 young people. (S.T.E.M = Science Technology Engineering and Maths). In this our 3rd STEM West we are showing young people the sort of STEM related careers available to them and the qualifications employers look for young people to have. If you are interested in attending, please get in touch via info@ dywwest.co.uk. Jamie Hepburn the Minister responsible for DYW will be attending the event on day 2.

Please remember to follow DYW West across all main social media channels and get in touch if we can help you in any way.

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SCHOOL UPDATES: Gleniffer High School – Believe and You Will Achieve - DYW Update Greenpower Challenge As part of the Greenpower Trust Challenge, three of our Senior Phase pupils (two S4 and one S5) have been developing their skills and enhance their future career prospects at West College Scotland. Along with pupils from other schools from across Renfrewshire, they have been taking the first steps towards designing and building their Formula 24 Kart.

We look forward to seeing how the boys progress. Last year three S5 pupils attend the program - one is currently studying in S6, another studying mechanics a college and the last secured a Modern Apprenticeship with Arnold Clark.

Business Brunch Our in-service day on Friday the 11th of October was given over to ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ with a range of activities

and workshops aimed at developing our strategies to support young people into positive destinations after school. As part of the program, Gleniffer hosted its first ‘Business Brunch’ where over 20 local employers will come in, meet staff and network whilst enjoying our hospitality. We hope to forge new business partnerships within our local community as well as celebrate the very successful ones we have already.

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce ROCCO awards We were very pleased to see three of our business partners all become finalists for the 2019 ROCCO award in ‘Developing the Young Workforce’. British Airways, City Gate Construction and Morrison Construction have all supported our pupils across a number of different initiatives and continue to enrich the curriculum within Gleniffer High School – we wish them all the best of luck!

S3 STEM Business Partnership Project

On 16th and 17th September I had the pleasure of accompanying a team of S3 students to the local site of engineering firm Doosan-Babcock.

The students took part in a number of employability and enterprise based activities across the two days whilst having lots of fun.

The 1st day started with a number of ice-breaker activities including a problem solving task which was undertaken with

everyone in the group wearing blindfolds!

The students went on a tour of the different areas on site and found out a lot about the work undertaken by the firm across the world. We heard from a number of employees in a variety of roles and were made to feel very welcome by the whole team.

The main focus of the trip was to allow our young people to design and plan an event for other students visiting

the company. The students developed their team working skills across the two days and learned how to carry out risk assessments, organise personnel, manage resources and budgets and showed creativity throughout.

Both teams of students were very successful in planning their events and we look forward to working with DoosanBabcock in the near future to turn their plans into a reality.

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Brediland Primary School Eco-aware youngsters at a Paisley primary school have helped create their own classroom-sized wind turbine - and their innovative approach to renewable energy has won them a place at a prestigious European science event.

Primary 6 pupils at Brediland Primary School in Paisley have been working with lecturer Dr Patricia Munoz de Escalona and students at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to create a 2m high wind turbine to power classroom objects.

Funded through a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Partnership grant awarded by the Royal Society, the project saw pupils and Masters students take part in a series of workshops and activities themed around renewable energy and the creation of the turbine.

The project was such a success that David Rigmand, Principal Teacher at Brediland, will represent Scotland as one of eleven UK delegates at Science on Stage in Portugal in October. The successful project work created by the young people will be showcased at the event which celebrates best practice in STEM and shares information on new teaching concepts.

Johnstone High School - To ensure positive outcomes for all learners by developing the skills they to compete in the modern world Chamber of Commerce Business Lunch Johnstone High were delighted to be invited to the Chamber of Commerce Business Lunch at the Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport this August. Our pupils had the opportunity to hear about the exciting opportunities within the local construction industry and received careers advice from industry leaders.

All of the S6 pupils were positive about their experience and welcomed the opportunity to develop their communication skills.

My Future Pathway – Construction In September, five Johnstone High pupils secured a place on Renfrewshire Councils flagship “My Future PathwayConstruction Course”. Having identified

construction as a career option, our pupils will be working within a group of 12 pupils from across Renfrewshire Secondary schools. Pupils will experience industry based learning opportunities such as taster days, employability workshops, site visits and CSCS card testing (required certification to get on a construction site). Upon successful completion of the programme, pupils will receive a 5-year labouring CSCS card, SVQ Level 1 Health and Safety in Construction Environment and will be put forward for on-site work placements with a local construction company. This opportunity will equip our pupils with the skills they need to enter the Construction Industry on leaving school, and provide highly motivated individuals to the local economy.

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Can you

support DYW in 2019?

DYW West (covers Renfrewshire, East Ren, Inverclyde & West Dunbartonshire) are seeking employers of all sectors and sizes to help young people get more prepared for the world of work.

This could be yourself or a development opportunity for staff.

Examples include: • Give a class talk • Mentor a small group of young people • Support a careers event • Host a talk & tour at your workplace • Offer a work experience / placement

• Offer an apprenticeship • Sign up to Founders4Schools • Put an opportunity on Marketplace • Run a competition

Help bring the curriculum to life and get involved with DYW West in 2019. Together we can make a real difference.

Contact us at info@dywwest.co.uk