BUSINESS NETWORX
SCHOLARSHIP SUPORT NEW FUND LAUNCHED TO BOOST NORTH EAST WORKFORCES
WWW.TEAMVALLEYPUBLICATIONS.CO.UK ISSUE #40 • AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019
Pre-employment checks Employers’ recruitment process
ACCESS TRAINING TEAM VALLEY Training Provider expands team MODULAR PARK ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTIONS PROJECT
SIM’S KITCHEN:
New deli opens on Team Valley
In ass oc i at i on wi th :
T H E T E A M VA L L E Y T R A D I N G E S TAT E ’ S N U M B E R O N E B U S I N E S S F O C U S M A G A Z I N E
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WHAT PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS ARE NEEDED?
New fund launched to boost workforces of North East businesses
There are various pre-employment checks which can or, in some circumstances, must be carried out by employers as part of the recruitment process.
South Tyneside Council have created a fund to support local businesses in the growth of their workforces. A new £35k scholarship fund will support firms looking to hire apprentices, helping local businesses with the associated training and assessment costs. The council has allocated £35k to the fund after finding an underspend in its apprenticeship levy. Cllr John Anglin, lead member for regeneration and economy, said: “We’re committed to supporting apprenticeships and developing a skilled workforce. Skills are vital for unlocking productivity and driving economic growth. “As a levy-paying employer we can support local businesses by transferring a proportion of our unused levy funds to help them recruit and train apprentices or upskill their staff.” The apprenticeship levy, which is paid by large employers with an annual payroll bill of more than £3million, was introduced in 2017 to help deliver apprenticeships. The Education and Skills Funding Agency has published guidelines for the transfer of levy funds, which can only be used to support the learning and assessment of apprentices and can’t be used to pay wages. Source: bdaily.co.uk
We can support local businesses by transferring a proportion of our unused levy funds to help them recruit and train apprentices or upskill their staff 6 | www.teamvalleypublications.co.uk
References Gaining written references from current or former employers or character references is the most commonly used checking procedure.
Pre-employment health checks Some occupations will be classed as safety critical and will require medical clearance.
The right to work in the UK Employers are responsible for checking and copying a job applicant’s original documents to verify eligibility to work in the UK. There are statutory penalties where appropriate checks have not been carried out and for employing foreign nationals who do not have permission to work in the UK. The online checker is very useful www.gov.uk/employee-immigrationemployment-status.
Criminal records checks Where recruiting people to work in regulated activities with children or
vulnerable adults, an employers must request a criminal record check as part of the recruitment process. In sectors such as retail where there may be valuable stock items DBS checks can be requested to check that job applicants are honest. The Disclosure and Barring Service can carry out three levels of checks on employees: basic, standard and enhanced, depending on the level of clearance required.
Other Specific Checks Depending on the type of work, there may be further checks to be completed, for example: • The NHS Employment Check Standards sets out the checks that employers must carry out before appointing staff into NHS positions, across England. • The Financial Conduct Authority has a system for security screening of individuals who carry on certain controlled functions within the financial services sector.
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National Trust: ‘We are no longer investing in fossil fuels’ The National Trust is set to sell off the shares it holds in fossil fuel companies. Currently, four per cent of its £1bn stock market investment is in such firms, while the Trust said it wanted to invest in green startups and portfolios that are not harmful to nature and the environment. The National Trust - the biggest conservation charity in Europe - has set a three-year timescale for the change, but most shares would be sold within one year.
Industrial
Gateshead’s Tolent boosts £212m workload with new recruits Gateshead-based contractor Tolent welcomed 17 new recruits to the business in April and May as it sees its workload soar to £212m across the UK.
Until now, the Trust had been prepared to invest in firms that derived less than 10 per cent of its turnover from the extraction of thermal coal or the production of oil from tar sands. That same threshold was also adopted by the Church of England in 2015. In 2018, however, the Church’s General Synod voted to withdraw investment from companies that do not meet the terms of the Paris climate agreement by 2023. The Trust’s chief financial officer, Peter Vermeulen, said: “Over the years, we’ve gradually evolved our investment strategy to reduce our carbon footprint. “Many organisations have been working hard to persuade fossil fuel companies to invest in green alternatives. These companies have made insufficient progress and now we have decided to divest from fossil fuel companies. “We would not expect this divestment to have a negative effect on financial returns and we know that our members and supporters are eager for us to play our part in tackling climate change through everything we do.” The Trust said it analysed the carbon footprint of its investment portfolio biannually. It is responsible for the maintenance of 248,000 hectares of land, 780 miles of coastline and more than 500 historic buildings and parks across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. www,bdaily.co.uk
Roles recruited for include a mixture of on and off-site positions including two senior quantity surveyors, alongside two assistant project managers.
includes 153 executive apartments, hotel, office and commercial space and is the latest regionally-significant project the business has been involved with.
The business also took on two more trainee engineers and two students from the PlanBEE programme.
Stacey Dew, information manager at Tolent, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the team at Tolent, it’s a business that has been synonymous with the construction industry in the North East for many years.
Andy Mcleod, CEO at Tolent, said: “Tolent is a business all about people, whether that’s colleagues, clients, communities or our supply chain and it’s always a pleasure to welcome new faces into the business. “We’ve historically had a great track record within the construction industry, so with recent announcements including Milburngate and future plans like the proposed £190m garden village in Seaham, we’ll be focusing on how we develop our teams to ensure we’re in a strong position looking forward to 2020 and beyond.” The recent Milburngate contract win that will see Tolent deliver a major regeneration scheme in Durham for the Arlington Richardson Development Partnership,
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“In my role as information manager, I work with teams to assist with document control on sites, as well as capturing and using data linked with digital models of the projects we work on.” The proposed plans include 1,500 homes, half of which will be affordable houses and half of the village will be managed green space, including extensive parkland, a football pitch, play areas and allotments.
Sourced from www.bdaily.co.uk. Receive the Bdaily business news bulletin by registering at www.bdaily.co.uk/register
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Education
Training Provider expands team to increase Access to Security Apprenticeships Team Valley based Access Training has added to its team in response to the increasing demand for fire, security and emergency systems apprenticeships in the region. The apprenticeship ensures that engineers and technicians are trained towards the new high-quality apprenticeship standards.
D
ave Cash recently joined Access and brings with him 30 years’ experience working within the security and alarms sector with employers including ADT Fire and Security plc, most recently as a Field Line Manager. Malcolm Armstrong Managing Director of Access Training said: “The fire and security sector is a growing industry that plays a vital role in the economy and as a result we are experiencing the highest demand we have ever seen for this course. Adding Dave to our team of trainers means that we can respond to this increased demand and I’m sure the experience he brings will be a great benefit to our apprentices.” Dave Cash, now a security and alarms sector specialist trainer at Access Training, said: “I’m really pleased to have joined the team and it’s great working with the young people at Access Training. This year we have around 50 apprentices on board and each apprentice attends our Team Valley training centre one day per week over the three-year duration of the course. The apprentices come from a variety of employers large and small, right across the region, from Teesside to Northumberland and across to Cumbria. “There is definitely a demand for engineering skills in the fire and security sector and with our specially equipped facilities we provide practical as well as theoretical training which complements the invaluable workplace experience these apprentices are getting. We have a new group due to commence this month, and again in the autumn of 2019.” The Fire, Security and Emergency Systems Apprenticeship, Level 3 is aimed at those wanting a sustainable career in engineering. It provides the opportunity to develop the skills to install and carry out maintenance on a range of security systems including intruder alarms, CCTV systems, access control systems, fire detection systems and emergency pull cords. 18-year-old Kieran Campbell from ChesterLe-Street is a former pupil of St Leonards in Durham where he achieved five GCSEs
and a BTEC in engineering. He.now works as a trainee fire and security engineer with The Protector Group, a Team Valley security systems business with offices across the UK.
Upon Tyne before being brought on board by HN Storey as an apprentice engineer in October 2018 working in partnership with Access Training.
He said: “I always wanted to get a trade and at The Protector Group I have the opportunity to work on projects including the Metro Centre, healthcare business GSK, Newcastle Central Station and many others. All this at the same time as working toward my Level 3 Apprenticeship and receiving classroom and workshop training from Access Training who provide ongoing help.
Louis said: “I’ve been coming to Access Training once a week since being employed by HN Storey and its been great to get work experience alongside support from a training provider to get my Level 3 apprenticeship in fire, security and emergency systems.”
“I love it, I’m able to afford to run a car and relax at the weekend with my mates, sometimes playing golf and know I’m working toward a qualification that has already given me a career.” Louis Armstrong, also a trainee engineer who works for established SME HN Storey an access control engineering firm based on the Team Valley. Louis passed all six GCSEs at Whickham School, Newcastle
Louis said: “HN Storey values me enough to work with Access Training supporting me to gain an industry and nationally recognised qualification. I get mentored at work and shadow qualified engineers on site. Alongside this I’m learning all about health and safety best practice and will go on to learn more technical and practical engineering skills in a classroom environment at the Access Training Academy. With industry experts like Dave Cash developing me I’m really loving my job and really grateful for the career opportunity.”
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Food
Entrepreneurial trio open first deli venture on Team Valley trading estate.
Richard Sim, Emilia Keladitis, Tim Witty and Chloe Lewis
A new deli has opened in Enterprise House on Team Valley’s trading estate. The first joint business venture for friends Emilia Keladitis, Chloe Lewis and chef Richard Sim, Sim’s Kitchen is open from 7am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. The deli is said to use seasonal, local ingredients. Emilia Keladitis, joint owner of Sim’s Kitchen, said: “When I moved to the North East from London four years ago, I missed the variety of the food on offer. “The North East has some fantastic local produce available, so from day one I wanted to open a deli that fully exploited this. “As soon as I met Chloe and Richard and we got talking about our passion for food,
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I knew we would make a great team and, four years later, here we are opening our first deli together!
and Nine Oak Financial Management already established in the recently redeveloped building.
“I was always impressed by the Team Valley estate and the incredible mix of businesses here. We felt like we could add something different to the food offering and it made perfect sense to make this our first site.”
Co-founder, Richard Sim, added: “Our concept is simply to prepare fresh food, using quality local and seasonal produce.
Sim’s Kitchen is a part of a multi-millionpound investment into Enterprise House by UK Land Estates, the largest commercial property investment and development company in the region. The shop - covering 900 sq ft - will join other neighbouring businesses such as Digital Allies, Genisys Technology Solutions
“Sim’s Kitchen serves the food that we love to eat ourselves and we will keep it interesting by mixing it up daily.” Tim Witty, development director at UK Land Estates, concluded: “Sim’s Kitchen is another positive step in the development of our Team Valley estate bringing new jobs and an exciting new food offering to our tenants and local residents.”
We felt like we could add something different to the food offering and it made perfect sense to make this our first site.
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E mcon E v e n t
Gateshead manufacturing companies urged to shout about their capabilities at emcon event As the North East gears up for the 12th annual EMCON exhibition, the event’s organisers are encouraging Tyneside based manufacturers and engineers to showcase their abilities and network with sector leaders and growing SMEs. Traditionally a County Durham event, known as Durham Oktoberfest, the show was rebranded in 2018 to reflect growing regional and national interest. The event now attracts 100 exhibiting companies and up to 1,000 visitors, with big engineering and manufacturing names including Stadler Rail, Dyer Engineering, Cummins, Cleveland Bridge, Komatsu and Hitachi among those who have been involved in the show. Now, the event organiser, The Engineering & Manufacturing Network (EMN), is encouraging manufacturing and engineering businesses of all sizes from around the region to showcase their capabilities and network with other British firms within the sector. EMN’s chairman David Land, said: “Over the past few years our region has established itself as an international leader within the engineering and manufacturing sectors. “But for too long we as a region were reluctant to shine the spotlight on our achievements, instead choosing to remain under the radar rather than putting our heads above the parapet. David Land, EMN chairman
Newcastle based Masfix were a sponsor at EMCON 2018
“However, in recent years we’ve begun to embrace our capabilities and strengths, and thus events like EMCON have become of huge importance to the hundreds, if not thousands, of businesses which represent the North East’s engineering and manufacturing industries.” Newburn based Masfix, Killingworth’s Evolution MRO and South Shields firm Demob Job were among the exhibitors at last year’s event. David added: “We know the region has so much more to offer outside of County Durham and Teesside, so we’re actively looking to engage engineering firms, manufacturers and supply chain service providers from across Tyne and Wear.”
At a glance 100 exhibiting companies Around 1,000 visitors Industry leaders Q&A Industry VIP walk-around Themed talks and seminars Education Zone This year’s EMCON event takes place on October 10 at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe. For full details, visit www.emcon.show.
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PayPal expands Xoom service across Europe PayPal have recently launched Xoom its international money transfer service - in 32 markets across Europe. People in these markets can now use Xoom to quickly send money, pay bills or top up phones to more than 130 markets internationally.
News
Team Valley manufacturing business acquired to create global market leader
Xoom’s expansion to Europe is a significant milestone and another example of PayPal fulfilling its mission to make the movement and management of money more convenient, accessible, secure and affordable. With the launch of Xoom, millions of people across Europe including millions of PayPal customers, can now support family members overseas with their medical, education, utility bills, and other financial needs, at affordable costs. Historically, the speed of securely and efficiently moving money across borders has been slow, but advances in digital technology - in particular mobile - are enabling a significant reduction in transfer time. For example, according to the latest figures from the World Bank, almost half (45%) of all money transfers from the UK are sent to Nigeria, India, Pakistan, China and the Philippines, the five largest nonEuropean receivers of remittances from the United Kingdom. The introduction of Xoom allows loved ones in these markets to receive money fast when sent to a bank account at competitive rates. Dan Schulman, PayPal’s CEO and President, said: “The way we move and manage our money has changed dramatically in the last few years. Even in 2019, it still takes too long to get money from European countries to a loved one in another country. We know how important these money transfers are in the lives of millions of people, and how crucial it is that money arrives swiftly so it can be used for things that matter. With Xoom, someone with a smartphone on a bus in London, Paris or Berlin can send money that can be accessed quickly in Mumbai, Lagos or Nairobi.” A Xoom account can be set up in a few easy steps via the Xoom iOS or Android app or Xoom.com. Existing PayPal customers can use their PayPal account to access Xoom’s services.
Mark Prinn, MD of TDX, Bruno Marin, CEO of AMB and Giles Peacock, COO of AMB.
A regional manufacturing business has been acquired by an Italian counterpart in a move to see the creation of a new ‘market leader’ in the European food packaging sector. The funding will enable the company to continue to invest in its facility to deliver on its ambitious expansion plans. TDX produces PET, RPET and laminated rigid films. By joining with food packaging firm AMB, it is set to create a “future powerhouse” in the global sector, with growth plans being put in place for the combined business. All jobs at TDX’s headquarters in Team Valley will be protected through the acquisition, which will also include its product design, prototype and tooling business, and will create a total workforce of 430 employees in locations throughout Europe. Mark Prinn, managing director of TDX, alongside commercial and financial director Trevor Marr, who led a management buyout in 2013, will remain with the business.
The business partnership - which will create a venture with a combined turnover in excess of £133m - will bring together offerings to provide products, solutions and design capabilities to tailor new products to customer needs. Bruno Marin, chief executive of AMB, added: “We see this as our first major step in our new growth plans and the two companies together form an ideal platform for continued future growth.” TDX was supported in the sale of its operation by law firm Sintons, its longstanding legal advisor which also acted in the MBO six years ago. Emma Pern, senior associate in the company and commercial department, supported by partner Matt Collen, led the team acting for Mr Prinn and his fellow shareholders.
Trevor said: “We are excited to join forces with AMB and believe this partnership will significantly accelerate geographic expansion. “The two companies working together in partnership will truly deliver a one-stopshop that will create strong opportunities worldwide and we look forward to working together.”
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Sourced from www.bdaily.co.uk. Receive the Bdaily business news bulletin by registering at www.bdaily.co.uk/register
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