11 minute read
Skills Focus
THE SOURCE IS BACKING
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NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2021 - FEB 8-15
The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff.
APPRENTICES CAN FUTURE-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS
Businesses are being urged to invest in apprenticeships to steer out of the pandemic downturn and build resilience for the future.
The Source Skills Academy is backing the forthcoming National Apprenticeship Week’s Build The Future motto and calling on employers to celebrate the positive impact apprentices have had on their workforces during the pandemic.
The 14th annual celebration of apprenticeships runs from February 8-15.
Being staged virtually, it will push the message that apprenticeships not only help individuals build career skills, they also strengthen businesses.
Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Gillian Keegan said: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, but we want National Apprenticeship Week 2021 to be a springboard to looking ahead. Apprenticeships can futureproof workforces and boost careers.”
Dale Robinson, head of business development at The Source commented: “The biggest assets to businesses today are skills and flexibility, which is exactly what young apprentices offer.
“We have heard many times
productivity right across the business.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) says companies report huge financial returns on their investment in apprenticeships.
For every pound invested in a level 2 apprenticeship, £26 was returned. This increased to £28 for level 3 apprenticeships.
Apprentices are more likely to stay with you - 80 per cent of companies with apprentices reported a significant increase in employee retention.
Businesses with annual wage bills of more than £3 million pay the apprenticeship levy and have funds sat in their Apprenticeship Service account for training. Funds only stay in
from businesses we work with that their apprentices helped them to adapt during 2020, give strong return on investment and are a crucial part of their plans for 2021."
The Source, which has not-forprofit charitable status, has had more than 2,220 applications from would-be apprentices since April 2020 and has successfully placed more than 200 apprentices in the last 12 months. It is urging businesses to provide more vacancies.
For information on apprenticeships, contact Kerry Cook at The Source on 07584 391445 kerry.cook@ thesourceacademy.co.uk
APPRENTICES - WORTH THE INVESTMENT
Businesses struggling to recruit the skills they need can develop skills in-house through apprenticeships.
Apprentices learn on the job and can be moulded into skilled employees who follow your processes and company culture.
They bring new energy, ideas and enthusiasm, which boosts morale and increases your account for 24 months, so ‘use it or lose it’.
All companies employing new apprentices before March 31 can access up to £2,000 per recruit via the Apprenticeships Incentive Grant. The money does not have to be paid back and is additional to the ongoing £1,000 grant employers receive for hiring an apprentice.
OUR APPRENTICES ARE A VALUABLE LAYER OF SUPPORT IN THE PANDEMIC
Talented young apprentices provided by The Source Skills Academy are helping a Sheffield business meet rising demand during the pandemic.
Medical and Legal Admin Services works with expert witnesses whose professional opinions are relied on in civil and criminal court cases, usually involving personal injury or clinical negligence.
Part of the Unity Health Group, MLAS services include finding the right expert to fit a lawyer’s brief and typing and proof-reading the expert’s forensic opinion.
“We ensure the report is accurate and on time. We are ultimately the expert witnesses’ gatekeeper,” explained MLAS director Colette Benn,
Based at Ecclesfield’s Hydra Business Park, MLAS has 25 staff. Many have valuable experience gained in other sectors, but the company has found that adding apprentices fresh from education brings a valuable dimension.
Said Colette Benn: “They are thirsty for knowledge and have no preconceived ideas from past work experiences. We have now taken on eight apprentices and the seven who have DIRECTOR, COLETTE BENN ON A SUPPORT CALL WITH SOME OF THE MLAS APPRENTICES
stayed with us are fantastic additions to the team.
“Everything has to be done right first-time in our business and we encourage them to ask a million questions so they can learn and grow.”
MLAS began recruiting apprentices in 2019 and, as planned, set on more in 2020. Said Colette: “Our apprentices have definitely strengthened the team during the pandemic.
“Their flexibility and willingness to turn their hand to new things provided us with another layer of support.
“We have been able to plug gaps with them and they have been invaluable in helping us keep up to date with general administrative tasks.
“That is just one return seen from investing in young apprentices.The wider picture will see us utilising them in our succession plan for the business.
“What is so crucial to the success of our apprenticeships strategy is the very strong relationship we have developed with The Source,” added Colette.
“They understand we want the creme de la creme - people with a great work ethic and good qualifications.
“Kerry Cook, business development officer, has been instrumental in finding the right people for us and the ongoing tutoring provided is key in getting our young people to where they need to be.”
KICKSTART A YOUNG PERSON’S WORK LIFE
Employers are being urged to give young people a chance – by offering them work experience placements through the government’s new Kickstart scheme.
The Source Skills Academy, an official Kickstart gateway provider, is staging a virtual event on February 10 at 10am to explain the scheme’s many benefits and help companies apply.
Businesses providing sixmonth placements receive grants of up to £1,500 to cover training, support and set-up costs.
The government also pay NI contributions and the National Minimum Wage for Kickstarters working 25 hours a week.
In addition, The Source is offering Kickstart recruits free online training courses in 130 subjects.
“Our virtual event will explain how the scheme benefits local young people and helps boost businesses of all sizes affected by the pandemic,” says The Source.
“Businesses get to interview applicants, can choose to top up wages and convert a Kickstarter they find invaluable into an apprentice after six months.”
Book your virtual place on February 10th. Email Kickstart@ TheSourceAcademy.co.uk
IT & CYBER SECURITY
BY IAN SNOW, CT MANAGING DIRECTOR
Ian looks at how to tackle the challenges facing IT teams during the pandemic
THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF IT DURING THE PANDEMIC
Several months ago, nearly every business experienced some kind of disruption to operations, and as millions of employees adjusted to working remotely, IT teams had to provide quick solutions to ensure work could carry on as normal.
Many perhaps previously overlooked the important role IT plays during the on-going pandemic and even now, when we’re all more adjusted to working in new ways, IT teams continue to face hurdles related to cybersecurity, new technologies and remote working to keep systems moving in the medical and healthcare fields, food supply chain, distribution and manufacturing.
Here are some of the most common IT challenges facing all businesses across all sectors today along with some practical solutions.
IT budgets decreasing
A lack of budget and resources is a major concern for both IT staff and employers. For a lot of businesses, the range a hundred three-minute training sessions which are easy to navigate and help your team make the most of your most important existing and new business platforms.
Cybersecurity
Data and security breaches continue to make headlines and cause headaches for IT teams. Particularly during the COVID crisis, cyber-attacks have been more sophisticated and harder to stop. Making sure your teams are aware of some basic security tactics is important when they’re working from home or on their own devices.
Real-time monitoring of networks and devices is also an absolute must. Whether you have been directly affected by an attack or looking to boost your security, you should review your current strategy and identify what’s working and what’s not.
Back up and disaster recovery
If you’ve ever accidentally deleted a file, experienced a server crash or any other data disaster, then you know how important having a reliable backup and disaster recovery plan is.
Most businesses may not have developed a plan to address a pandemic outbreak, but should have some kind of continuity solution in place. Having the right backup solution and disaster recovery procedures is critical to eliminating the downtime and expenses that accompany them.
An immediate challenge facing IT teams is understanding their business needs. As the technology landscape continues to evolve, and the current situation is still changing, your IT teams are dealing with increased demand on network infrastructure, a significant rise in user support requirements and new security threats.
of applications they use continues to grow rather than shrink – this puts more and more pressure on IT people and systems to deliver the latest. The reality for many small and medium sized businesses is that a decision on whether to upgrade or purchase technology quite rightly comes down to margins.
IT should be a priority after lockdown, so the need for a more cost-effective IT solution will be crucial. This is where outsourcing your IT can help.
Technology overload
Recently businesses have been forced to deploy new tools to help teams collaborate and communicate remotely. But with unfamiliarity and lack of experience with new software, staff are being left frustrated and inevitably on the phone with IT.
Whenever you introduce something new, training well ahead of launch will take vital pressure off your IT team. At CT we offer all our customers CT Knowledge – a micro learning platform with
Now might be a good time to look at having a strategic IT review which CT is currently offering free of charge to all S postcode businesses.
To find out more visit ct.co.uk/services/strategic-itreview
EFFORTS OF BUSINESS COMMUNITY RECOGNISED WITH SPECIAL HONOUR
Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber has praised the efforts of 24 local businesses after presenting them with a unique accolade to recognise their work during COVID-19 – president Joada Allentells unLTD why the business community are the ‘forgotten heroes’ of the pandemic
Developed by Chamber president, Joada Allen, the President’s Recognition was created to pay tribute to the way in which many businesses in the local community have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their response to the challenges posed during 2020 and celebrate the efforts made by local businesses to innovate, support employees, as well as help the local community.
From taking part in Joe Wicks workouts to raise funds for local good causes, investing in technology to enable members of staff to work from home, to delivering products used in the frontline battle against COVID-19, businesses ranging from sole traders to large established manufacturers made submissions which were judged by a panel of business experts, including the Chamber president.
Businesses recognised included Barnsley businesses the Hickton Group, which kept staff entertained throughout lockdown by organising a range of challenges which helped to raise funds for the Lennox Children’s Cancer Charity. Barnsley Hot Tubs defied major supply issues to see its turnover triple as more families swapped their summer holidays for garden saunas, whilst healthcare supplier Amity saw staff work around the clock to meet demands within the NHS.
In Rotherham, Workwear manufacturer Portwest introduced a new range of COVID-19 friendly clothing, and also produced more than 200,000 masks per day.
United Caps defied the odds to relocate to a new site, whilst Gala Tent saw its senior management team swap their suits for stockroom duties, working without pay to help safeguard the company’s future.
Maltby Independent Funeral Services helped the families of victims of COVID-19 to say farewell to their loved ones in a safe, dignified way. Never Average Marketing helped a number of charitable organisations, education provider Morthyng helped apprentices to continue their training, and business training provider Opes Libertas introduced a number of new services.
Other businesses to receive recognition included VOOT Telecom, Professional Energy Purchasing, Whyy? Change, Mike Lawrence Health & Wellbeing, The IT Trainer, GH Magic, Affinity IT, Plan. Grow. Do, and FAB events. Doncaster-based alternative lending provider Finance For Enterprise helped businesses to safeguard more than 1200 roles through their work as a delivery partner for the Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
In addition to recognising the efforts of local businesses, two charities were also praised for their efforts; Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and the South Yorkshire Community Foundation. They helped nearly 150 community-led organisations across Rotherham and Barnsley access grant funding worth more than £200,000, as well as helping others to access an additional £150,000 delivered by working in collaboration with strategic partners within South Yorkshire.
Joada Allen, president, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber said: “The business community is one of the forgotten heroes of COVID-19 – many have faced incredibly difficult challenges, with some being forced to close their doors almost overnight and we wanted to recognise some of the incredible achievements made by the local business community over the past twelve months.
“The amazing work undertaken by all the businesses deserves recognition and as a Chamber of Commerce we wanted to recognise those incredible efforts made by businesses which have risen to the challenges posed by a difficult year for many businesses.”
