National | Local Business | December 2018
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2 | February 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
Punchline’s next issue, The Annual 2019 will be published in February Want to be part of it? email Mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk or telephone 01452 308781
Business ups and downs
Like the tides - business sales go up and down. The general rule of thumb, is that to run a successful company, you want the sales to continue to go up. Too much down is never a good place to be. Running a successful company is actually a lot harder than people on the outside think. It’s like riding a bike. You pedal the hell up a very steep hill for a very long and tiring time.When you feel you’ve reached the top, you need to take your foot off the pedal. This is OK for a very short time. You may deserve to freewheel for a while, but the experience is very short- lived. Because if you take
The truth is, in business you can never truly stop. Especially if it’s your business. The mind is always running, pedalling to a new destination. The secret really is to find something you love doing with people you love doing it with. Building a team that believes in your product, ethos and ideas as you do. Then it stops being work and becomes the enjoyable and exhilarating ride running your own business can be. So I’d like to say a BIG thank you to my wonderful team here at Moose Marketing and PR, the publishers of Punchline-Gloucester.com. You have all made this one of the best years ever and for that I’m truly grateful. Although slightly saddle sore l
your foot off for too long, you’ll be back to pedalling like hell again, just to get back in the position you were in before you stopped.
Mark Owen
Call us on 01452 308781
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Punchline Magazine is published by Moose Partnership Limited, based at The Old Fire Station, Barbican Road, Gloucester, GL1 2JF. Reproduction of any material, in the whole or part, is strictly forbidden without the prior written consent of the publishers.All material is sent at the owners risk and whilst every care is taken, Moose Partnership Limited will not accept liability for loss or damage. Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Moose Partnership Limited does not accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise.All rights reserved ©2018
December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 3
Contemplation 1918 v 2018
The five leading causes of death were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhoea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke The American flag had 45 stars The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30 Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet There was neither a Mother's Day nor a Father's Day Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and, only six per cent of all British pupils went to university Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at local corner chemists. Back then, chemists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach, bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!" Eighteen per cent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help There were about 230 reported murders in the entire USA. In 2014 this figure had risen to 14,249 In the UK the murder rate in 1915 was 1420. In 2015 it was 537 Can you imagine what it may be like in another 100 years? l
The year is 1918 - one hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the year 1918: The average life expectancy for men was 47 years Fuel for cars was sold in chemists only Only 14 per cent of homes had a bath Only eight per cent of homes had a telephone The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower The average British wage in 1915 was £15 per year! A competent accountant could expect to earn £800 per year, a dentist £900 per year, a vet between £600 and £900 per year, and a mechanical engineer about £2000 per year More than 95 per cent of all births took place at home Ninety per cent of all doctors had no university education! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and the government as "substandard" Sugar cost two pence a pound Eggs were 10 pence a dozen Coffee was five pence a pound Most women only washed their hair once a month, and, used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason
Council wins award for backing small businesses
Forest of Dean District Council’s Forest Economic Partnership (FEP) has scooped a special award for its economic support of local small businesses. The Small Business Friendly Awards 2018 were held by the Federation of Small Businesses Gloucestershire and West of England at Gloucester Rugby Club and open to county, unitary and district authorities. Forest of Dean District Council picked up the ‘most innovative small business campaign’ award for its work addressing key challenges and opportunities in the district around education and skills, transport and infrastructure,
digital connectivity and bridges and borders. The FEP was launched by the Forest of Dean District Council in January 2018 to bring together businesses, councils, people, ideas and resources to give the Forest of Dean a united economic voice l Pictured (l-r) Terry Lockwood, FSB national councillor for SouthWest; Peter Williams, head of paid services, Forest of Dean Council; Cllr Julia Gooch, cabinet member for business;Andrew Callard, chairman of Forest of Dean Economic Partnership and RussellWarner, FSB area lead for Gloucestershire.
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December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 5
Has Boots Corner closure created a nightmare for visitors to Cheltenham?
Few decisions have caused more controversy in Gloucestershire than the experimental closure of Boot’s Corner in Cheltenham. chartered health and safety practitioner Phil Chambers of Strategic Safety Systems Ltd considers the issues. Many people in Cheltenham are very concerned about the closure of the inner ring road at Boots Corner. The primary questions are: • Does it bring a net improvement to the centre of Cheltenham? • Are the alternative routes adequate and well signposted? • Has the implementation method been adequate? • Is there a net encouragement or discouragement of visitors to Cheltenham and the shops and restaurants in the centre? The reduction of traffic at Boots Corner is an improvement for pedestrians. However, the lack of alternative routes has meant that other areas of the town centre have increased traffic to avoid Boots Corner, and these affect pedestrians. By far the worst is traffic coming from Rodney Road onto the shared car/ pedestrian part of the High Street next to John Lewis. As this was a flagship improvement to Cheltenham, it is alarming that Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) failed to anticipate this. It poses a safety risk far greater than the crossing at Boots Corner. The traffic flow along the Promenade past the council offices has also increased. In trying to improve the centre, closing the Promenade would have been far better than Boots Corner, but you cannot do both. So, we have an improvement at one point, but a deterioration at other points.
Phil Chambers of Strategic Safety Systems Ltd
Air quality was never measured at Boots Corner and therefore
there is no data to state that it has improved, nor was air quality measured at Rodney Road/ An angry protest over the closure of Boots Corner High Street. However, there are areas where air quality has been measured and was already a concern, such as Gloucester Road. It is reasonable to anticipate that this has deteriorated because of its increased traffic flow. Because of a lack of knowledge of where traffic was going after it passed through Boots Corner, CBC took the approach of letting people find their own way rather than signposting alternative routes. The result of this has been major queues on several routes that people are forced to choose, such as Rodney Road, St George’s Street, St Pauls and other residential areas. It is misleading to state that “there have always been queues on St George’s Street”. The queues used to be a few cars; now they can stretch back beyond the bowling green. Other routes further out such as College Road
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and Gloucester Road now queue extensively and the right-hand lane on the Gloucester Road as it joins Tewkesbury Road is to be avoided. And all this additional stop-start driving increases pollution. The signage used for implementation of the closure has been rightly criticised. In my experience, signs are effective in reinforcing a message, but poor in getting the message across in the first place. If you are expecting to see a No Motor Vehicles sign, then you will see it. However, if it is introduced on a road which was previously open or your visitor satnav is saying it’s open, then it is easy to miss it. You have to make it very distinctive, and CBC/GCC have failed to do this. You cannot glibly state that people should know the Highway Code. This signage has not been improved and people still fail to see it.
As we now impose fines on people who drive along the previously open inner ring at Boots Corner, it is reasonable to expect visitors to regard Cheltenham less favourably. Similarly, if you wished to visit John Lewis from out of town, then the route to the car park is now torturous, unless you come from the north. Whilst the small area by Boots Corner has been an improvement for pedestrians, the net experience for pedestrians in the shared section of the High Street and the Promenade is worse. And, if you are a visitor and you make the mistake of driving into town, then have fun finding your way round; there’s nothing to help you l
December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 7
GFirst LEP CEO David Owen - County must future-proof its infrastructure
GFirst LEP on track to deliver £500m investment in Gloucestershire’s future
A record 400 delegates attended the seventh annual review by Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP, at Hartpury University. The cross-section of business leaders was shown how they can engage with the LEP to help future-proof the county's economy - and given a taste of what advancing technology has in store. The chair of GFirst LEP, Dr Diane Savory OBE, and chief executive David Owen used the huge arena at Hartpury to deliver the progress report. Dr Savory said that, over the next 12 months, the Local Enterprise Partnership wanted direct input from business leaders to build "an aspirational Local Industrial Strategy. "This will lead to our next round of bids and funding, following Brexit with the creation of the UK Shared
Prosperity Fund." David Owen said: "This year we have seen a flurry of projects come to fruition across Gloucestershire, as well as the expansion of our Growth Hub service across the county. "GFirst LEP continues to be one of the top performing Local Enterprise Partnerships in the country, supported by incredible enthusiasm from business." But Mr Owen said Gloucestershire still had five big economic challenges remaining. These are: • To build more houses • To provide a good supply of quality employment land • Closing the gap between skills supply and economic demand • Ensuring economic growth benefits the whole county
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A record number of delegates attended the annual GFirst LEP review
Dr Diane Savory, OBE, chair of GFirst LEP speaking at the annual review
• Attracting more people under 40 to live and work in the county, as the general population gets older. Mr Owen said GFirst LEP was on course to deliver around £500 million of total investment in Gloucestershire.The Growth Hub network is now being rolled out across the county, providing support to businesses of all types to grow. GFirst LEP is investing in a variety of projects to improve air, rail and road infrastructure; education centres to encourage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and a Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) to grow the local economy by an average of 4.8 per cent GVA per year by 2022. In a Top of the Pops-style video presentation, business leaders were shown the Top 20 county projects that GFirst LEP had made possible - both now and in the future. In the number one spot (after the likes of Gloucester Transport Hub, the county airport investment and the stunning new Gloucestershire College campus at Cinderford) was the £22 million GFirst LEP have allocated for the UK's first dedicated Cyber Park in Cheltenham. Set in 45 hectares, it will generate more than 7,000 jobs and help establish Gloucestershire's reputation
nationally and internationally as a cyber security centre. One of the highpoints of the annual review was an entertaining and thought-provoking talk by the LEP's vice chair, Adam Starkey, on the march of new technology from self-driving cars to digital "humans" in the workforce - all of which has already become a reality. David Owen said after the event: “It’s been great to see record numbers of delegates turn out for our annual review, now really is the time to engage with the LEP and help drive forward the next exciting period of growth for the county. “There are three easy ways to engage with us; join one of our Business Groups for a taster session and contribute your ideas, volunteer a few hours with our Education Team and help empower and inspire the next generation of business leaders and, if you are under 40, please spend some time with us and give us your valuable input into developing our Local Industrial Strategy for the county” l If you would like more information on how to engage with GFirst LEP, please call 01242 715480 , email info@GFirstLep.com or visit The Growth Hub situated in the University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls Campus. You can also visit www.gfirstlep.com
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE: FUTURE-PROOFED A growing county will be powered by planes, trains and automobiles. So, we’re investing over £14 million into air, rail and road improvement projects, creating better connectivity throughout Gloucestershire, and the rest of the world, too.
All aboard! Next stop, a better Gloucestershire. Find out more at gfirstlep.com/projects
@GFirstLEP
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Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Champions
Welcome to what we think will be a useful tool for everyone interested in apprenticeships – from those looking to train the next generation of staff, to those looking to be trained. We spoke to colleges and training providers for recommendations of firms that had shown outstanding commitment to apprenticeships, so we could champion them here.
expert assistance of those really in the know - the likes of the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire College, GET (Gloucestershire Engineering Training) and SGS College. These institutions are at the forefront of the revolution those who bemoaned the demise of work-based training thought would never happen. As one employer we spoke to said: “Apprenticeships
are significant. They give candidates an invaluable opportunity to build their knowledge of the working world. The qualification they achieve represents academic study combined with vital practical skills and real hands- on experience and is far more useful to employers. “Young apprentices with an enquiring mind can go far, as they are usually receptive to new ideas and concepts, whilst they in turn can often provide businesses with a fresh perspective.”
And then we chased up the companies themselves to see just what positions they might have on offer in 2019 – and we have that information here too. Another of our core aims was to represent the broad range of sectors within the county offering apprenticeships, to showcase businesses big and small. (And we drew on our own knowledge and those of our contacts as well.) The end result is the first edition of 50 Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Champions. In other words, 50 companies rated among the very best at offering apprenticeships in Gloucestershire – and the positions they may have up for grabs in 2019.
Another added: “By introducing an apprenticeship scheme to your business, you will help young adults to begin building on their practical skills. This in turn would contribute to a greater skilled group of employees for your business.” The only elephant in the room amongst this emerging new world order is this – the apprenticeship levy. The colleges and GET can explain this to you, but while the idea seems to get the nod in principle, for too many it is not yet truly fit for purpose. If you want to be part of this next year – or think you should be in our Gloucestershire’s 100 Biggest Employers special in 2019, please do get in touch l
Listed within the next few pages are leads on more than 260 apprenticeships – and that is a conservative estimate. All of which we hope will make it a valuable port of call for anyone – and these days it is not just the young – looking for an apprenticeship in their chosen field. For those banging the drum of Gloucestershire 2050 and others talking loudly about keeping young people in the county and driving skills – this is our contribution. Of course, we could not do any of this without the
December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 13
Think apprenticeships; think Renishaw.
A Renishaw Apprenticeship can take you far
We have over 30 years’ experience in developing apprentices into the engineers of tomorrow. Join one of our schemes (including degree-level apprenticeships) and get the skills you need to make a real difference to the world around you. You will: • work with experienced colleagues in exciting and challenging work placements. • get involved with projects and products that shape the future of engineering. • achieve nationally recognised qualifications and on-the-job training. Applications close 1 st March for the 2019 intake.
For full details visit www.renishaw.com/apprenticeships
Renishaw plc New Mills, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, GL12 8JR United Kingdom T +44 (0)1453 524524 F +44 (0)1453 524901 E recruitment@renishaw.com www.renishaw.com
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G L O U C E S T E R S H I R E ' S A P P R E N T I C E S H I P C H A M P I O N S
2 APPRENTICES
SW&L Cheltenham HEATING AND PLUMBING
22 APPRENTICES
Matt Grimshaw Winchcombe CARPENTRY The business currently has two apprentices and intends to keep at that number for 2019 too. It also has a work experience student. “Matt is passionate about carpentry. He is concerned there are not always workshops in schools any more – and he wants to invest in the next generation” l
The company has worked closely with Gloucestershire College. It provides heating and plumbing apprenticeships, and has just introduced business and estimating and surveying apprenticeships.
Currently 22 apprentices. Expects to take on as many as 10 more over four levels in the next 12 months. “I can’t see the apprenticeships side do anything but continue to grow. It is a great aspect to the business” l
EG Carter Gloucester CONSTRUCTION
12 APPRENTICES
3 APPRENTICES
The construction firm currently has 12 apprentices and management trainees at various stages of their training. It tries to recruit apprentices every September. Is considering four apprentices for September 2019. A number of its management team
Cowley Manor Cheltenham HOTEL/HOSPITALITY The hotel currently has three apprentices and two beauty apprentices working in its award-winning spa and one on the pro-cookery apprenticeship in its
kitchens. “Apprentices will always be significant, as you are building up a pool of talent within your business. We are always looking to take on apprentices or offer apprenticeship courses to our current staff,” said Banu Giber, head of talent and development l
started as apprentices. “Apprentices are the future of our company, and our industry. They are an integral part of our company, and the training they have with us with experienced tradesman is hopefully the grounding for a long and successful career with us” l
1 APPRENTICE
Paish Tooth Cheltenham ACCOUNTANTS & TAX ADVISORS
The firm currently has one apprentice, Ellen Stephens, who has just finished her AAT with Gloucestershire College and is now working towards her ACCA through training provider First Intuition.
Paish Tooth is looking for an apprentice for 2019 for an AAT Level 2 or Level 3 course. “Apprenticeships are significant. They give candidates an invaluable opportunity to build their knowledge of the working world. The qualification they achieve represents academic study combined with vital practical skills and real hands- on experience, and is very useful to employers. Young apprentices with an enquiring mind can go far, as they are usually receptive to new ideas and concepts, whilst they in turn can often provide businesses with a fresh perspective” l
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December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 15
Stuart Holmes Hair Cheltenham HAIRDRESSING
Currently has three full-time apprentices and in 2019 expects to take on up to three more. “Apprenticeships offer a fantastic career opportunity for those who have a passion within the industry. They are able to gain their qualifications, experience within the industry and work within a successful team of individuals whilst also being paid a wage. Apprentices can also
3 APPRENTICES
have the opportunity to further their career within our company. Many of our apprentices have been with us for a number of years and are extremely successful members of our ever-expanding team.” Recommended to us by Gloucestershire College l
Ultra Electronics Cheltenham DEFENCE/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING A world-leading group of businesses operating in the defence, aerospace, security and cyber, transport and energy markets. From underwater warfare to supplying navies and more than 40 different types of aircraft, its surveillance and communications equipment is world-class. It also supplies the nuclear industry, helps provide "critical systems" and software to operate and optimism transport systems around the globe. No numbers were available on its apprenticeship programme l
Superdry Cheltenham FASHION RETAIL
We tried to get through to the firm after a glowing recommendation from Gloucestershire College, but to no avail. Keen to stand out from the crowd, as always, apparently this style-conscious brand prefers not to call its training schemes ‘apprenticeships’. But when we asked Gloucestershire College for firms which were committed to apprenticeships, this one was on its short list.The University of Gloucestershire said: "We have a really good relationship with Superdry, who have placed several degree apprentices with us and will do more in the future.They are studying the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship" l
2 APPRENTICES
Majorlift Wotton-under-Edge HYDRAULIC LIFTING AND ENGINEERING FIRM
It has two apprentices currently and could be looking for another in 2019. It aims to recruit one every other year. Tristram Southgate said: “Engineering is facing a demographic timebomb. Formal apprenticeships in manufacturing pretty much stopped in the late
1980s and so the youngest of our skilled men and women are now around 50 years old. This means in 10 years’ time or so, we will have a desperate shortage of skilled people to operate and service our machine tools. Engineering skills can’t be taught in months. They take years to accumulate and so every manufacturing businesses really needs to be teaching those skills that are special to them now to the next generation – or they will be lost forever.” Recommended by GET l
Will Gosling, 3rd year apprentice holding an award for fitting, he is pictured with DaveWindle, Production Manager & David Abel Smith, chairman of Majorlift Hydraulic Equipment limited.
Train your staff with a professional qual Build apprenticeship programmes f www.gloscol.ac.uk/pr
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Simplicity Mitcheldean BACK OFFICE AND PAYROLL SUPPORT FOR THE RECRUITMENT SECTOR The Forest of Dean-headquartered firm has three apprentices on its books and will be looking to recruit pipeline for the future. Recruits can be trained to meet the specific needs of the company and can bring new skills and energy to the business. Since 2010, Simplicity has been experiencing steady growth year-on-year and, like all businesses, this can only be achieved by having the right people, in the right roles – that’s why apprenticeships are such a great idea” l 3 APPRENTICES offer a warehouse apprenticeship.“Apprenticeships are significant as they allow an opportunity for a recruit to undertake key areas of business whilst hand in hand with training and support” l 1 APPRENTICE three in 2019. “Apprenticeships are an essential part of Simplicity’s overall recruiting strategy and are invaluable in helping the business better manage and develop the company’s talent Furlong Flooring Stonehouse FLOORING The firm, which supplies all types of flooring – from hardwood to carpet, from tiles to vynl, currently has one apprentice in customer services and in 2019 plans to
Dean Close School Cheltenham EDUCATION Overlooked as businesses, private schools especially exist in a hyper-competitive world where they can live or die by their results. Saying that, it is not just about getting the teaching right and all will fall into place. Someone has to run the business and the back office functions. Apprenticeships help the school do just that l
Group HES Gloucester ENGINEERING
A recommendation of Gloucestershire College, this business has been beavering away from its Innsworth headquarters for 50 years and is a trusted name in its specialist field - hydraulic equipment. Apprenticeships include electrical and mechanical engineering and the firm also helps staff to go on to do their HNC qualifications too l Mike Etheridge Construction Coleford CONSTRUCTION Gloucestershire College recommended this Forest of Dean firm for its commitment to the cause. Like many firms in its sector, it remains convinced of apprenticeships because of the value they bring, but also because it is the only way to keep ahead of the competition l
17 APPRENTICES
Poeton (Gloucester) Ltd Gloucester ENGINEERING
The specialist metal coatings firm currently has 17 apprentices. It hopes to take on more this year. It is “currently assessing business”. It took on six in
2018. “Apprentices are key within our industry.We are a highly technical business, so developing our people in the early stages of their career and supporting them as they grow with us is hugely rewarding” l
Pictured: L-R: Darren Burge, Managing Director; Sam Goga; Dani Jenkins; Sean Needham, Group Operations Manager; Connor Hayes; Gary Williams, former Group Training Manager.
fication at Gloucestershire College r new and existing employees fessional-training
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Jewel in the crown of the University of Gloucestershire's expansion plans
The growth of business education over the past 60 years has been phenomenal, with more than 16,000 business schools now operating worldwide. However, a growing number of challenges will mean that, in the years to come, few will exist in their current form. Gone are the days when lecturers stand at the front of a classroom and talk at students for hours on end.
As the needs of business evolve, dynamic universities are aiming to provide more inspiring and interactive learning environments, challenging their students to become active participants, rather than passive observers. The new School of Business and Technology in Gloucester is the jewel in the crown of the University of Gloucestershire's expansion plans. The multi-million-pound development, encompassing
Open for
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Gloucestershire's flagship Growth Hub, forms a key part of the university's 2022 strategic plan, which aims to rapidly expand its engagement with the business community. Punchline has toured the new facilities, which are described as a great place to do business, meet with experts or tap into the university’s rich pool of young talent. In addition to offering its students traditional degree routes, the university has responded to employer demand and developed a range of higher and degree apprenticeships, as an alternative to traditional study. These enhanced apprenticeships provide employees with the opportunity to obtain higher qualifications and professional skills, while employers benefit from the greater productivity and competitiveness of staff. Stephen Marston, university vice chancellor, said: “Working with businesses locally is a key part of what we do.We want to be part of what drives economic growth. We focus on how we can provide a better service for businesses, particularly SMEs. "As well as educating students, the new School of Business and Technology is a place where we are offering services for business.”
The University of Gloucestershire's School of Business and Technology opened its doors to students and businesses in September. Businesses are invited to tour the new facilities and discuss how the University can help them grow l For more information visit www.glos.ac.uk/business glos.ac.uk/business usiness
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Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship – perfecting your leadership skills Benefits to your business:
There are still a few places remaining on the University of Gloucestershire’s prestigious MBA Degree Apprenticeship course starting in January. The Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship combines a master's degree, apprenticeship and the option to achieve chartered manager or chartered fellow professional recognition. The university’s SLMDA is a work-based qualification, tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. It is designed for any individual considering moving into a senior or strategic management role. This can include general managers, senior managers, executives, directors, and military officers. Working with the university’s School of Business and Technology, the course is designed by employers, working with the Chartered Management Institute, to develop the strategic leadership skills of those responsible for the overall performance and long-term sustainability of their organisations l If you are interested in the SLMDA programme, get in touch www.glos.ac.uk/slmda
• Unlike other MBAs, this master’s programme is focused on applying learning to your business challenges to meet the unique needs of your business. • Discuss your particular development needs with the university as there are opportunities to customise some elements of the programme. • Research has shown that apprentices increase innovation, drive quality and increase your competitiveness. • Develop the best people – employment leading to higher level qualifications will attract and retain high- calibre candidates with the potential to progress.
Open for
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Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship – develop true management professionals
For future senior managers, the University of Gloucestershire’s Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship is billed as the choice for you. The degree apprenticeship offers the triple guarantee of a quality degree, on-the-job experience and a professional pathway for future development. This trailblazing apprenticeship has been developed by a group of employers, in partnership with a number of higher education institutions, including the University of Gloucestershire and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Under this win-win-win scheme, workers who complete the apprenticeship will earn a degree in management and business, and become a chartered manager. Nobody understands your organisation like you do. The University of Gloucestershire will work with you to create an apprenticeship that will build the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will have the maximum positive impact on your business l If you are interested in the CMDA programme, get in touch www.glos.ac.uk/cmda
Benefits to your business: • Research has shown that apprentices increase innovation, drive quality and increase your competitiveness. • Tailored around you - higher and degree apprentices develop job-specific skills and are able to meet the unique needs of the business where they work and learn. • Develop the best people – employment leading to higher-level qualifications will attract and retain high- calibre candidates with the potential to progress.
glos.ac.uk/business usiness
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More than 50 years of growing our own
We took on our first apprentice in 1949 and have always believed in giving talented and ambitious young people the chance to shine, writes Marion Mitchell, business support director at CF Roberts. We offer them training programmes with a purpose, training that leads to jobs and fulfilling careers. Our managing director started with us as an apprentice, as did his deputy, and in total 18 former apprentices now occupy senior management roles within our business. When we’re recruiting, which we do every year, we are just as interested in character and commitment as academic qualifications. We want people who ‘go the extra yard’ and in return, anyone joining CF Roberts can see opportunity and a bright future ahead of them. Of course, securing formal qualifications is important, but we offer so much more to our apprentices. Over the years we have expanded the content of our training and identified and developed individual talents. We train and invest in the person not the apprentice, and as a consequence we have earned special recognition from our industry body, the Electrical Contractors Association. We offer electrical and mechanical apprenticeships
in four different disciplines, we added heating and ventilation in 2017 and our Level 3 apprenticeship is of ‘Trailblazer’ standard and diploma level. And we think it is just as important that our apprentices learn about our customers, suppliers and construction partners too. We all need to understand each others' drivers and brand values, because success in our business is all about teamwork and effective collaboration. That’s why ‘growing our own’ works for everybody. It gives us the opportunity to shape and control our own future, year-on-year it offers fantastic opportunities to the young people of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire and perhaps most importantly, it gives our clients the reassurance that whatever the challenge they give us, we have the skills, capacity and resources to cope l CF Roberts: Cheltenham 01242 571100, Hereford 01432 273579, www.cfroberts.co.uk
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Stagecoach (PICS) Gloucester TRANSPORT When it comes to routes to work, few can offer the consistency of this bus service. But aside from its day job, it has also consistently invested in training and especially apprenticeships and continues to do so. It currently has 15 apprentices and in 2019 plans to take on five more. “The commitment to bringing people on from apprentices is vital for our business and for our team. Many of our senior management started as apprentices and worked their way up though the ranks” l 15 APPRENTICES
52 APPRENTICES
Delphi Stonehouse ENGINEERING
Nortim Precision Newmills Industrial Estate ENGINEERING Serves pharmaceutical, medical, nuclear, acoustic, food and drink worldwide. Customers include Severn Glocon, Delphi Poeton and has a 14-strong staff team. This firm was recommended by GET too. It currently has one apprentice and will take on another in 2019. It says apprenticeships are vital “because of a shortage of skilled engineers” l 1 APPRENTICE
Delphi Technologies currently has 52 apprentices at various stages of their programmes - mainly engineering, but two indirect apprentices in finance and business administration. “We will certainly be recruiting next year”. Expect an announcement in early 2019. Expect the number to be in the mid-teens.
“Our apprenticeship programmes are crucial for the business here, as they provide us with the consistent supply of advanced engineering skill levels that we need to ensure the business maintains its position as market-leader in fuel injection technology” l
Renishaw Wotton-under-Edge ENGINEERING It currently has 137 apprentices in training and an additional four commercial apprentices starting in January. It expects to take on between 50 and 70 apprentices in 2019. “Renishaw has recruited apprentices every year since we started our first scheme in 1979. In 2019 we will be celebrating 40 years of apprenticeships and a record 141 apprentices in training. Even during economic downturns we have continued to recruit new apprentices,
137 APPRENTICES
so there is no doubting our commitment to and appreciation of the long-term value that apprentices bring to our business. Today, you can find many former Renishaw apprentices throughout our business, in a range of manufacturing, design and commercial roles, including supervisory, management and director positions” l
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December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 23
5 APPRENTICES
Lister Unified Communications Stonehouse TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Five staff at this Stonehouse-headquartered telecommunications expert have just completed their apprenticeships.“It is about staff personal development.Apprenticeships are definitely a large part of that. It gives them something to work for and strive for, and it energises staff. It is about investing in your staff.” Over the next 12 months, it expects to start 10 more apprenticeships l
235 APPRENTICES
EDF Gloucester ENERGY
42 APPRENTICES
NHS Gloucestershire HEALTH Spearheaded by the University of Gloucestershire, in collaboration with local Gloucestershire Hospitals
With its UK headquarters in Gloucester, the French-owned energy giant has an estimated 235 on its apprenticeship schemes. In 2019 it will be looking to take on 45 ‘across several different schemes’. Recruitment is already underway for a September 2019 start. “Apprentices are vital to EDF Energy, as they are a key part of the wider recruitment pipeline, replacing those retiring from the business and bringing new ideas to our industry. Many of our apprentices soon go on to more senior roles within the company. Indeed the current managing director of the Generation business and many of his executives started as apprentices” l
NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust, NHS Trust 2gether, NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and new partner Order of St John’s Care, the county saw a new series of apprenticeships emerge this year. “We have a huge cohort of Nursing Associates (42) from the local Gloucestershire NHS Trusts who started a higher apprenticeship in September with us,” said a spokesperson for the university l
Clarkson Evans Staverton ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR A pioneer – and a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer – the electrical contractor pursued apprenticeships training and invested in its profession despite prevailing fashions, and has been proved ahead of its time – time and time again. Its training school, which sits alongside its main electrical contracting business, is highly thought-of. It currently has more than 200 apprentices and will be looking to take on more than 50 in 2019.“By introducing an apprenticeship scheme to your business, you will help young adults to begin building on their practical skills.This in turn would contribute to a greater skilled group of employees for your business” l 200 APPRENTICES
Apprenticeship Recruitment Open Evening
24 | December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
Horizon Nuclear Power Gloucester ENERGY
GCHQ Cheltenham GOVERNMENT LISTENING POST
Currently has 33 apprentices. Recruitment numbers for 2019 are yet to be announced. Successful applicants will start in September 2019. “Apprenticeships are a key pathway for young people to get into industry. Our apprentices enjoy a packed programme of theory, practical and extra-curricular activities during their apprenticeships. Alongside their studies, they have travelled to Japan to see nuclear component manufacturing factories and the ABWR power station, similar to what we plan to build on the Isle of Anglesey, visited the factories of some of the UK’s leading
Urban myth might have you believe the staff at GCHQ are creamed off the top at Oxford or Cambridge university after being approached by a mysterious headhunter in the darkest corner of a library. That may still happen – but you can also just apply to join the secretive ranks of the spy factory via one of its many apprenticeships l
33 APPRENTICES
manufacturers, worked with local schools, and represented Horizon at community events. Some of our apprentices are currently seconded to Tectnatom in Spain.” One caveat – its apprenticeships are open to colleges local to its energy plant in AngleseyWales l
Moose Marketing & PR and Punchline-Gloucester.com Gloucester
1 APPRENTICE
PR AND MARKETING, BUSINESS NEWS The 15-year-old marketing and pr experts, and publishers of Punchline- Gloucester.com – this very magazine - is committed to apprenticeships.
Somerford Associates Cheltenham DATA AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SPECIALISTS It has its Gloucestershire base at Pure Offices, Cheltenham, has 44 staff and expects that to reach 60 by 2019. Turnover has risen to £5.6 million. “We are looking to recruit – and that will include apprentices.” It currently has 11 apprentices, including marketing, technical and
11 APPRENTICES
It also provides regular work placements and believes in the route to work as a great way of finding the staff of the future. Currently has one apprentice it cannot speak highly enough of and one staff member who has just completed her apprenticeship with glowing colours and has been offered a full-term contract. In 2019 the company hopes to employ another two in digital marketing and journalism l
finance. It works closely with Gloucestershire College to train its apprentices. “We see the apprenticeship pathway being the route to training that we want. They get the experience they require, and we get an awful lot back too” l
Gloucester Rugby Gloucester SPORT
A case of the main attraction – in this case what happens on the pitch – keeping eyes away from the team behind the scenes, which makes sure the club functions as a business. To do that it brings in the very best, but also trains staff through apprenticeships. “In terms of apprentices, yes, we have taken on a couple over the past few months. The players do still look at preparing for life beyond rugby by pursuing training in other professions. This is mainly done in partnership with the RPA (Rugby Players Association)” l
Monday 21st January 2019 from 4.30pm - 7.30pm There is no need to make an appointment, just turn up
Gloucestershire Engineering Training Barnwood Point, CoriniumAvenue, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3HX 01452 423461 www.get-trained.org
December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 25
Be the architect of your own career
Roberts Limbrick Architects has an enviable reputation among its customers and peers. Its invisible signature is on such landmarks as Cheltenham Racecourse and Gloucester Docks’ Lock Warehouse, the city’s GL1 Leisure Centre, Cheltenham’s newest office building, the six-storey 64,000 square feet of grade A space that is Honebourne Place, and the stunning new Gloucestershire College building in Cinderford. But while the long list of admired and award-winning buildings speaks volumes about Roberts Limbrick, the Gloucestershire firm has not been very successful at letting the rest of us into this secret. That is all changing, however. And helped by the fact this is a special edition championing apprenticeships, a route to work the firm has been committed to for many years, Punchline got lucky and was invited to meet directors Joe Roberts and Aled Roberts to talk. The first thing they were keen to do was debunk the myth that only a seven-year university degree-led route unlocked the doors into the architectural profession. “The architectural profession is not perceived as one of the places you can enter through an apprenticeship,” said Joe, who trained with the city business and worked his way through the ranks to director level. “But apprentices are integral to the firm. We recruit apprentices every year and have a number who are still with us after 25 years.” Aled, a director based in the firm’s fast-growing second office in Newport - explained apprenticeships had benefits for all involved in the process.
Joe Roberts Aled Roberts
“Apprentices in all their different forms are the lifeblood of our practice. The sky is the limit for them when it comes to ongoing career development. “We have people at all levels of Roberts Limbrick that started with us as trainees. Some have been with us for 25 years and are now in senior roles. “It is a win-win situation for the apprentice, the industry and our practice,” said Aled. Its city offices are in the award-winning listed Bruton Way Carriage Works building the firm restored and moved into, after the merger of Roberts Gardner Ltd and Limbrick Limited in 2008. It has a near-full diary of interns, work experience placements and advertising its apprenticeship opportunities, but is always keen to talk to new faces. Despite this, it is aware it needs to work harder to secure the very best of the next generation, and part of that is getting the message across that the county practice can offer the very best training and challenges.
26 | December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
“We are across all sectors. An apprentice is not going into a practice that specialises in only one type of project. You will get variety across a range of different sectors,” said Aled. Joe said: “A young person might be working on a half- million-pound two-classroom extension to a school, Cheltenham Racecourse or the Brewery Quarter on a £30 million plus project. “Being involved in different sizes and scales of projects is vital for their development. It also provides long-term opportunities for their development.” Beginning to promote the profession they love and believe in also involves on-going conversations with Gloucestershire College and its school of construction and the University of Gloucestershire. And it is working with RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) to help raise the profession’s profile in the county. What has been key to Roberts Limbrick’s success, and which helps explain why its staff team of 100 is so
strong in depth (and perhaps why it has never become known for shouting about itself), is its focus. Joe said: “We have a reputation we are proud of – that we ‘design and deliver’. The client and the quality of the service we provide underpins everything that we do. We employ experienced designers and technical staff, who have equal importance in the process and collaborate together to produce high quality, well balanced buildings “It means young people who come here have the opportunity to learn from the best and we are proud of that.” Aled added: “You are never dropped into it without the right team around you. If you do not have that support and seniority around you, then you are not going to learn.” “It is about being valued. If you come into a company on an apprenticeship, you are being given an opportunity. “You want that to work. The company wants it to work and therefore everyone is much more willing to put the time and effort into retaining and training those people” l
December 2018 | www. punchline-gloucester .com | 27
National Star illuminates route to work
Thomas Hopkins
Every year, National Star works closely with employers to enable more young people with disabilities enter the workplace. In the UK, by the time they are 26, people with disabilities are four times as likely to be unemployed as their non-disabled peers. Forty-five per cent of people with disabilities who are in their early 20s are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). National Star runs supported internships, traineeships and work-based learning programmes for young people with disabilities in Gloucestershire, Hereford and in other parts of the countries. Megan Rogers, from National Star, explains that apprenticeships are not often appropriate for young people with disabilities or learning difficulties. “They may not have level 1 Maths or English. They will need a higher level of support and likely have an EHCP (Education Health Care Plan),” said Ms Rogers. “Just because they don’t fit the apprenticeship mould, doesn’t mean they don’t have a great deal to contribute to the workplace. They do. It may just mean that the approach has to be different.” Every learner has a job mentor, a dedicated person from National Star who works with the young person and with the employer. The objective is to create long-term sustainable paid income and to provide an important contribution the business. “We support employers to understand how to make adjustments, often ones that are not costly but are quite straightforward. Often the greatest barrier can be fear. Many employers may not have had a member of staff with disabilities,” said Ms Rogers. Besides the traineeships, supported internships and work-based learning programmes for young people aged 16 to 24, National Star also offers Steps intoWork, a supported internship for people with disabilities who are aged 19 and above. This year they have 18 working with employers across Gloucestershire, including organisations such as the University of Gloucestershire,Atkins Global and EDF Energy.
Research carried out about the Steps programme estimates the social value for Steps is £7.01 for every £1 of public money invested. All the programmes have success stories. One highlight for the 2018 academic year was Tom Hopkins who landed his dream job - straight from leaving National Star. The 18-year-old, who has been on a supported internship programme, is now a full-time commis (junior) chef at Bowden Hall. Tom gained skills and confidence while working at National Star’s StarBistro, which is based at Ullenwood and open to the public. He had always wanted to be a chef.Tom has Hypertonia, a condition which affects muscle and tone and can make arms or legs stiff and difficult to move. He saved his earnings to buy his own set of chef’s knives. Now he will be working full-time as a commis chef l
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