8 minute read
In The Spotlight 14
Natasha Hibbert: Civil Engineer Degree Apprentice at Mott MacDonald
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“I currently work in the Rail Sector at Mott MacDonald, in a Stations Team. Crewe UTC helped me secure this apprenticeship role firstly, thanks to the employability skills I gained from the industry placements integrated into the curriculum, which allowed me to work alongside Bentley Motors, Siemens and AO. This also gave me an understanding of which sector I enjoyed working in the most. Then further down the line, UTC helped me with my apprenticeship applications, which companies to apply to, and how to strengthen my skill set.
I love the diversity across the Mott MacDonald businesses and the teamworking. I also really like the fact that I’m now working on real-life engineering challenges and then seeing those projects come to life is a great feeling.”
Crewe UTC student 2017 – 2021 (joined in Year 10)
“Crewe UTC and the employer partners were super supportive, especially during Lockdown. We were supported in Mechatronics and supplied with home kits that were set up with PLC Programming, all connected to Siemens. We also had weekly Employer Talks with lots of different businesses. Then when it came to applying for the apprenticeship and I got an interview, it had to happen virtually, so UTC set me up with a PC in college to make sure I didn’t miss out. When I got the role with Siemens it was overwhelming!”
Thomas Longden: Applications Engineering Degree Apprentice at James Walker
“I’m specialising in the nuclear industry at James Walker. Crewe UTC helped me secure my role by already having ties to employers, so you’re aware of the partners throughout your time at the college. A lot of it is to do with the connection to employers, so for example part of my coursework was related to a project proposed to the college by Bentley Motors. The depth of work we do in CAD is also an advantage, and much more than you’d cover in a normal school. My ambitions for the coming year are to build on my nuclear knowledge base, meet more customers and to build my portfolio for chartership.”
Malaika Crewe UTC student 2018 – 2022
(joined in Year 10)
“It’s great that at UTC I could develop civil engineering skills and see what it’s like to be a civil engineer while still at college. And I was able to do work experience with Mott MacDonald because they work closely with UTC.” “What I love is the atmosphere and the people at Crewe UTC and the facilities here are amazing for engineering. I’ve picked up many, many skills which I would not have been able to do in a normal school. I feel confident that I’m ready to be in a working environment with machines, different technologies and software. The main skill I really enjoy using is 3D modelling. It helps me a lot, especially when I’m doing prototyping, or trying to create my own projects. And that’s all thanks to the Engineering Design lessons in Years 10 and 11.”
“You get really good work experience through the employer partners, which you might not get at other places. I’ve already got an apprenticeship lined up at Siemens, doing Electrical Engineering.”
Kai
Crewe UTC student 2018 – 2022 (joined in Year 10)
“In Year 10 I was able to do a work placement at Bentley Motors, where I worked on a production line and helped put the engines together. I had a look at everything from just putting the cylinders in, to actually seeing the engineers then make the Mulsanne engines by hand and calibrate them, which was brilliant.”
If you would like to see our facilities for yourself or are interested in supporting our industry placement programme for students, I’d be delighted to show you around our West Street campus.
_ Will Chitty, Principal. www.utccrewe.co.uk 01270 218150 w.chitty@utccrewe.org.uk West Street, Crewe, CW1 2PZ
Any company wishing to do business with, or in, another country must always be aware of the law and regulations in that country and follow them accordingly. If you are already selling your products or services overseas you may have come across differences in customs procedures, duties and taxes charged, regulations around standards and professional qualifications as well as laws on duration and scope of work for business travel…and perhaps more!
The UK Government wants you, as a UK business, to be ambitious in doing business overseas. Easing the process of trade in goods and services between countries will help your business to save time, boost profits and grow. Securing trade agreements between single countries or trading blocs is a method of achieving this.
What are Trade Agreements?
Trade Agreements are made between two or more countries and, simply put, set out the preferential rules for buying or selling goods or services between them.
The Department for International Trade is responsible for negotiating and securing these UK trade agreements, yet, like new roads, trade agreements can deliver huge benefits if they get used but are pointless if noone can drive. The UK government is working hard to make sure businesses have the information and support they need to harness these trade agreements the moment they enter into force (see Further Information) .
The Journey of a Trade Agreement
Initial Assessment: During this stage the Government explores whether a new Trade Agreement with a partner country would be useful for UK businesses. Launch: After a favourable assessment the Government announces it will be starting negotiations with the country. Negotiations: The Governments work together to come to an agreement on key areas. This is done in several negotiating ‘rounds’. Signature: At signing, both countries have concluded their talks and the main benefits of the deal are made public. Scrutiny and Ratification: At this point, the Trade Agreement is inspected by Parliamentarians to ensure it represents the best opportunity for UK businesses.
Entry into Force and
Implementation: Once the Trade Agreement has Parliamentary approval, it can be used by businesses trading with the country, or countries, involved.
What are the KEY Benefits of Trade Agreements for UK businesses?
The specific benefits of each trade agreement will depend on what was agreed during the negotiating process. Common benefits include reduced tariffs, easier business travel, recognition of professional qualifications and simplified customs procedures.
Some of the provisions in a trade agreement will apply automatically while others may require you to take some actions before you can benefit. The actions you need to take will depend on the type of goods or service you sell, and the country that you are doing business with. The best way to explain the key benefits of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is to look at the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
This was the first major trade deal the UK struck as a newly independent trading nation, bringing together two of the world’s most technologically advanced nations. In force since 1st January 2021 CEPA is tailored to both economies, going beyond what was possible under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and seeing big benefits for digital and data, financial services, food and drink, and creative industries.
It makes trading easier by:
– Reduction or removal of tariffs on qualifying goods – Simplified procedures for showing evidence of product compliance – Enhanced protection of intellectual property – Mutual recognition of professional qualifications – Preferential, guaranteed market access and fair treatment of UK service suppliers seeking to sell to, and operate in, Japan – Easier business travel – Streamlining licences to operate and improved provisions for UK financial services companies – Easing restrictions on amount of UK shareholding and investment permitted in Japan – Recognition of each country’s advanced, trusted technology landscape creating new opportunities for UK tech and digitally-savvy firms to export to Japan.
Benefits also continue into a wide range of additional themes such as:
– Addressing anti-competitive practices within each countries’ goods and services competition law – Ensuring UK SMEs are informed of the agreement provisions to seize the opportunities of exporting to
Japan – Seeking to support the conditions for women to participate equally thus increasing women's access to and ability to benefit from the opportunities created by the
Agreement – Facilitating trade in goods and services relevant to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development
What UK trade agreements are in force right now?
The UK has signed trade agreements with over 70 countries plus the EU, most of which can be used right now. At the date of publication these Trade Agreements are either in force or have been applied provisionally (*) whilst awaiting full Parliamentary approval.
28 bilateral agreements:
Albania, Canada, Cameroon, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Ghana*, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Moldova*, Morocco*, North Macedonia*, Palestinian Authority, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey*, Ukraine, Vietnam*.
7 trading bloc agreements:
– UK-European Union and the
European Atomic Energy
Community Trade Cooperation
Agreement (UK/EU and EAEC TCA): 27 countries of the EU – UK-Andean Countries: Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru – CARIFORUM-UK Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA)*:
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Belize, The Commonwealth of the
Bahamas, The Commonwealth of
Dominica, The Dominican Republic,
Grenada, The Republic of Guyana,
Jamaica, Saint Christopher and
Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, The Republic of
Suriname, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – UK-Central America Association
Agreement: Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua,
Panama
