Bridging the skills gap
The boss of the new £3m state-of-the-art training hub in Bridgnorth has challenged employers to help him create a ‘Marches engineering powerhouse’. Matt Snelson, the newly appointed managing director of the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology, is urging firms in the county to make the most of the new 36,000 sqft facility and support its vision to reach ‘2020 learners by 2020’.
Plans for the £3m manufacturing training and development centre were outlined in December with BBC Midlands Today covering the project which is which is led by a consortium of Shropshire manufacturing businesses including Classic Motor Cars, Grainger & Worrall, Salop Design & Engineering as well as high-tech training provider In-Comm. The centre at Stanmore is due to open in August.
‘Facewatch’ technology to report crime
A new scheme to help combat crime and anti-social behaviour in shops and licenced premises is currently being rolled out in Bridgnorth. Jason McComb, who runs Bamboo on Quayside together with Paula Chainey and Karen Wood, has gathered support from the majority of pubs and shops for the Facewatch scheme. Jason, whose career background is in top level vehicle and safety IT, is heartened by the response, “The scheme uses smartphone technology to share information about the perpetrators of crime, and at £3 per month, it’s affordable for users. It is now due to be rolled out to surrounding towns of Shifnal, Much Wenlock and Broseley, but needs a community champion to do this. At the end of the day we all want a safer Bridgnorth and this Facewatch system will ensure that for the whole community.”
Apprenticeship show in Telford
The Apprenticeship Show returns to the International Centre on Thursday 16 March to show visitors the range of career and training opportunities available across Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire and the wider West Midlands.
Apprenticeships are now seen as an alternative to higher education, with many employers favouring the ‘grow your own’ approach and offering higher level apprenticeships from engineering, IT and the legal profession.
Already, more than 40 of the biggest local and national employers and education providers have confirmed their attendance to showcase the wide range of apprenticeships they offer, including, Stadco, CapGemini, Wrekin Housing Trust, FBC Manby Bowdler Solicitors, GKN. The full list of exhibitors can be found at telfordjobbox.co.uk
Environmental business launched
Shropshire couple Steve and Sally Barras are launching an innovative environmental accreditation scheme for the region. Investors in the Environment (iiE) is a nationwide environmental accreditation scheme designed to help businesses save money and the environment by improving their energy efficiency and reducing their environmental impact as well as their costs.
“We believe environment sustainability and financial sustainability go hand in hand and organisations of all sizes and types will benefit from iiE coming to the region.” said Steve. For more info iie.uk.com
Architects celebrate record year
Bridgnorth-based Johnson Design Partnership recorded its busiest year in its 14-year history after securing a string of new projects across healthcare, residential and with listed buildings. The firm is currently managing 80 live projects and has recruited three new specialists: senior architect Richard Coutts, architectural technician Adam Reed and Michael Daw who is an architectural assistant. Current projects include a state-of-the-art £2m ward for a leading London hospital, looking after the build of a new 20-house development for Bridgnorth Housing Trust and finalising the transformation of Grade I Bishop Percy’s House in the town.
Fatface fundraising for Cameron’s fund
Fat Face in Bridgnorth has handed over a £520 donation to Cameron’s Fund.
Established in February 2008, the fund was created in memory of local toddler Cameron Brown who died following a sudden asthma attack. Since then the fund has raised nearly £70,000 for Asthma UK. The money was raised during the week of Black Friday in November. Rather than reducing prices, Fatface makes a donation to each stores’ chosen charity.
