3 minute read
Business News
PERSHORE DIRECTOR HELPS EXTEND WORKERS SCHEME
Derek Jarman of Hayloft Plants Ltd Pershore, a multichannel retailer and grower of ornamental plants gave evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee’s first hearing of its ‘Labour shortages and the food and farming sector’ inquiry at the Palace of Westminster in late October 2021. He went in his capacity as Chairman designate of the British Protected Ornamentals Association (BPOA). Horticulture has employed seasonal workers from Europe in various schemes since the Second World War to help fulfil labour peaks during the growing season. Brexit was done and a new Seasonal Workers Pilot scheme for edible horticulture of 30,000 students was put in place against an estimated demand of 75,000. Ornamental horticulture had no seasonal staff allocation and hence in 2020 25% of the daffodil crop was wasted along with many other flowering plants. Jarman explained the severity of the problem and the fear of business owners unable to grow and harvest their crops. Evidence was taken from other sectors including pigs and poultry. Committee Chairman Neil Parish MP, a much appreciated friend of the countryside and its folk, wrote to the Prime Minister and copied various Ministers a couple of days after the hearing demanding immediate changes. Just before Christmas, Home Office Minster Kevin Foster MP, announced that the six-month Seasonal Workers Pilot scheme had been extended to include Ornamentals with additional help from MPs including Derek Thomas, West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Unfortunately, the scheme remains at 30,000 staff only, despite record low UK unemployment.
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www.hayloft.co.uk
WHAT IS CAD SOFTWARE AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
After 30 years in the CAD industry, Peter Jones of On-Site-Support shares his thoughts on CAD software and what he calls the “Latent CAD efficiency”, in most companies who use CAD software. Even if your company doesn’t use such software, there’s a good chance that the contractors who fitted your plugs, lights and heating, used “As fitted” CAD drawings to have their work approved. Autocad was the shining star of the investment world, when it first appeared in the UK during the 80’s. It started a CAD revolution in a market, where typically a 6 figure sum was needed. Before a company could invest in a CAD mini-computer with a limited number of terminals. That investment continues to this day, so that current CAD software is now far more powerful and efficient than those early versions. However this has lead to an enigma. Take any group of CAD software users and there will be a stark contrast in CAD skills and efficiency. That’s latent CAD efficiency, which can affect anything from cash flow to overall profitability. It doesn’t help that experienced CAD operators are in short supply. No-one wants to upset their Key workers. So perhaps they should be asked. Especially as any efficiency gains, should work for the benefit of both employer and employee.
www.inhousecadtraining.com
Representatives of Uni of Wolverhampton at 3CDSE
LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY IN CYBERSECURITY AND REGIONAL DEFENCE CLUSTER UNVEILED AT 3CDSE
Academics from the cybersecurity group at the University of Wolverhampton presented a paper at the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE) conference recently. The conference brings together UK MOD Special Projects, UK Strategic Command and Defence Equipment & Support teams, Law Enforcement agencies, Emergency Services, UK and International Industry and Academia. Dr Haider Al-Khateeb, Reader in Cybersecurity and Director for the Cybersecurity Group, delivered the talk which covered innovation in cybersecurity for Digital Twinning programmes in Smart Cities. He said: “Smarter cities in relation to the defence and security sectors was one of the 4 strategic objectives arising from the UK Government Integrated Review published in March 2021 – Global Britain in a competitive age. This strategic framework aims to address future challenges and respond to crises by developing a national capability in digital twinning alongside establishing a cross-government Situation Centre in the Cabinet Office. It is therefore important that we develop a better understanding of how we can control cybersecurity risks associated with digital twins including legal compliance with the UK GDPR which requires data protection by design and default.” The new Midlands Centre for Cyber Security was officially opened recently. Anyone interested in professional development courses or businesses looking for incubation space can find out more about the Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security on the website.
