News: What's stopping you?

Local employers will be on hand at an event in Rotherham next week to help breakdown some of the barriers stopping people moving into employment.

"What's stopping you?" has been organised by Templeborough-based social interest company, Business & Education South Yorkshire, in conjunction with South Yorkshire Police. It takes place on May 13 at the Lifewise Centre in Hellaby.

The centre is an interactive learning centre for South Yorkshire communities, developed by South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. Featuring a purpose-built set, it is used to educate visitors about safety and citizenship with the ultimate aim of reducing crime and improving quality of life.

A mixture of local employers from the public and private sector including South Yorkshire Police, NHS, Kier, Prospects and the Job Centre will be on hand to give advice on how they recruit and the skills that they look for.

Local entrepreneurs will be talking to attendees about how they started their business and experts will give tips on confidence and motivation techniques plus advice on positive life choices.

Kate Robinson, project officer for South Yorkshire Police said: "This event has been developed with Business & Education South Yorkshire to provide advice and guidance to people who are seeking work.

"We want to help people breakdown those barriers that might be stopping them getting a job such as lack of motivation, no transport, previous criminal convictions, lack of skills or apprehension about interviews. We want people to drop in at time that suits them between 10am and 4pm."

What's stopping you? website

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News: Summer camps to help young people get work-wise

Work-wise, the initiative inspired and led by local employers, is aiming to enhance the future employment prospects of up to 200 young people across the city region, with a series of summer camps.

The programme was developed by Templeborough-based Business & Education South Yorkshire and a partnership of local manufacturing and engineering companies in response to their concerns that not enough young people are attracted to the sector as well as not having the basic work ready skills to take up apprenticeships and jobs.

Described by many as the "ultimate interview", Work-wise provides young people with a broad range of inspirational, industry focused, work related learning and development experiences enabling them to better develop the personal attributes and skills they will need in preparation for future jobs and life. It is supported by local employers including Newburgh Engineering, AESSEAL and the MTL Group.

Work-wise is now established as a charitable foundation to lead the campaign on improving employability, work readiness and open up real job opportunities for young people.

The expansion into summer camps means that more young people will get the chance to become work-wise. Keen young people aged 14-16 who have an interest in careers in engineering and manufacturing are being encouraged to apply. The camp includes a two day employability skills induction programme and an eight day real work placement in an engineering or manufacturing environment.

Running from July 29 to August 30, the camp costs £100 and some bursaries are available through the work-wise Foundation Charitable Fund.

Jackie Freeborn: chief executive of Business & Education South Yorkshire, said: "Schools have a really difficult time because education is constantly moving. Schools are not measured on how many young people go into an apprenticeship or get a job, they're measured on qualifications and how well they do at OFSTED.

"Although schools understand the relevance of getting young people ready for work, they sometimes don't have the capacity to do that. We come in and make that easy and work with schools as an interface with young people that have shown an interest in engineering or are more interested in a vocational route into employment.

"What's great about it is that the employers really feel passionate about Work-wise because they'd designed the content, they've designed the program."

Gordon Bridge, director at AESSEAL and executive member of the Work-wise Foundation board, said: "I think work-wise is the best initiative in business and education certainly in my experience, over the last 40 years. Businesses are embracing it, as are schools and parents."

Work-wise website

Images: Work-wise

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News: TeenTech inspires future engineers

Over over 120 engineers, scientists and technologists gathered in South Yorkshire recently to inspire young people about the opportunities within science and technology careers.

The award winning TeenTech event took place at Doncaster racecourse last week with local engineers keen to show off the opportunities for young people in the region. Students enjoyed taking part in the many challenging activities set by the organisations, and gained a taster as to what a career with each exhibitor would be like.

Local exhibitors included Pegler Yorkshire, Efficiency North, Newburgh Engineering, AESSEAL plc, Boxes and Packaging, Made In Sheffield, Tinsley Bridge Group, Reactor, Skanska, Sheffield Forgemasters, Pressure Technologies, William Beckett Plastic Packaging and Doncaster College.

South Yorkshire Fire Brigade tested the skills of young people, challenging them to recover an unconscious "victim" from a blacked out room using thermal imaging technology.

The University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing (AMRC) was at the event with their Manufacturing Transporter (MANTRA) (pictured), a specially equipped 14m long lorry designed to give aspiring young engineers a hands on experience with real, leading-edge manufacturing technologies being developed at Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

David Greenan, managing director of Newburgh Engineering in Templeborough is a big supporter of the concept, he said: "We are passionate about promoting a career in Advanced Manufacturing to the young people who will shape our future.

"Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing are key to the future prosperity of the UK and to compete globally we need to inspire, attract and train the cream of the UK's young people. TeenTech shows how exciting, innovative and inspirational the world of STEM can be."

TeenTech Experience is an interactive event that has been pioneered by former Tomorrow's World TV presenter Maggie Philbin. The South Yorkshire event was run by Business & Education South Yorkshire (b&e).

TeenTech website

Newburgh Engineering website

Images: TeenTech

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News: Rotherham businesses sought for TeenTech challenge

An award-winning event designed to inspire young people about the opportunities within science and technology careers is coming to South Yorkshire this month and the organisers are looking for Rotherham companies to showcase their business.

TeenTech Experience is an interactive event that has been pioneered by former Tomorrow's World TV presenter Maggie Philbin, who wanted to dispel myths about science and technology careers being considered difficult, geeky or boring.

The event, which has already been hugely successful in eight other regions around the UK, was awarded the accolade of Best Event in Science and Engineering Week by the British Science Association and is being delivered in South Yorkshire by Business & Education South Yorkshire.

The privately funded event relies on the support of sponsors and local supporters, which already include leading names such as Pegler Yorkshire, Efficiency North, Boxes & Packaging, Yorbuild, Newburgh Engineering, AESSEAL and Skanska. Business & Education South Yorkshire (b&e) are seeking further sponsors and exhibitors.

Lee Parkinson, Director of Efficiency North, said: "Employment and Skills are at the heart of Efficiency North's activities, with provision for employment and apprenticeships contractually embedded into all our regional Frameworks for Yorkshire and Humber.

"We are therefore delighted to be supporting this event, which will not only provide a unique opportunity for young people to explore their own potential in Science and Engineering in an innovative and dynamic way, but will also build links between local businesses and the future workforce in the region."

Phill Jackson, marketing and business development manager from Pegler Yorkshire, added: "When we heard that TeenTech was coming to Doncaster we were really keen to get involved.

"It is so important to us as a business that we can attract new talent for the future and events like this help us to build relationships with schools and inspire young people about the wide range of career opportunities within engineering and technology businesses like ours."

There are already 25 schools signed up from across South Yorkshire to take part in TeenTech Experience, which will be held at Doncaster Racecourse on Tuesday July 10 and is headed up by Maggie Philbin.

Business & Education South Yorkshire website

TeenTech website

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News: Apprentices work wise at Newburgh

Rotherham-based Newburgh Engineering is attracting good candidates for its apprenticeship scheme through the innovative work-wise programme.

The programme has been developed by Business & Education South Yorkshire and a partnership of local manufacturing and engineering companies in response to their concerns that not enough young people are attracted to the sector as well as not having the basic work ready skills to take up apprenticeships and jobs.

Newburgh is a specialist contract manufacturer of component parts and assemblies for the nuclear, defence, oil and gas, petrochemical, aerospace and power generation industries. They were co-founders of the programme.

Vince Middleton, managing director at Newburgh, said: "We needed one route to engage with schools and provide meaningful work experience monitoring and grading the future employability of the young person, and providing guidance where needed.

"The "hands on" approach also helps equip young individuals with the skills and attitude necessary to get a job straight from school, living up to the work-wise description as the "ultimate interview.""

Adam Flood and Ryan Froggatt are both work-wise success stories. Their work-wise placements gave them the relevant experience and hence the edge over other applicants to secure one of the highly competitive apprenticeships at Newburgh, after impressing in interviews.

After starting a course Adam became aware of an apprenticeship at Newburgh - he applied and was given the job. The daily diary he kept during his work-wise placement meant he could refer back to and reference some of his experiences at Newburg in his job interview. He is now an apprentice at the Sizer Pelleting Solutions (part of the Newburgh Group) and is currently studying for his NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Maintenance.

Adam said: "The work-wise programme gave me hands on experience at the job and made me feel comfortable within the working environment."

Ryan applied for an apprenticeship after having a really positive work-wise experience at Newburgh. He was offered an apprenticeship on Newburgh's New ERA programme and is currently studying at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering for an NVQ Level 2. For Ryan the work-wise programme gave him a confidence boost giving him the motivation to work hard to master new skills.

Andy Millward, apprentice training instructor at Newburgh, said: "Our apprenticeships are tailored to the individual, so we look at what interests them and what they are good at.

"The future of many engineering firms depends on the training and recruitment of the younger generation."

Newburgh Engineering website
B&ESY website

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News: Rotherham entrepreneur partners with Gripple to launch Millme

A Rotherham graduate is on the brink of launching his unique range of kitchen implements on the world market.

Nathan Bestwick, 25, who grew up in Rotherham and studied at Sheffield Hallam University, is setting up his new kitchenware brand in partnership with Sheffield-based company Gripple, under its "Incub" programme which nurtures local inventors with the aim of creating future jobs in South Yorkshire.


With several enterprise awards already under his belt for his "Millme" spice mill, Nathan is on track to put his first products into manufacture within a year and take on the big brands of kitchenware. The spice mill has been designed so that it can be used by people who have limited strength or dexterity in their hands and works by being rolled in the hands without any need to grip or twist.

Shortly after graduating Nathan launched a product and graphic design consultancy called If? Works, which grew from RiDO's Fusion @ Magna Business Centre in Rotherham. He has since set up an employee-owned kitchenware company for which a name has yet to be chosen.

He says that the invaluable support he has received both from the Entrepreneur Exchange at Business and Education South Yorkshire (b&e) in Rotherham and Incub has helped him along the difficult journey of protecting and promoting his unique design.

Nathan said: "The most exciting aspect of it all is that the company will be testament to South Yorkshire's prowess in manufacturing and design, and because it will be employee owned, it will serve our region for many years to come, and hopefully become a company that Sheffield can be proud to say is theirs. But first I have got to get my premier product to market and hope that it sells like hot cakes!

"I have started developing my products for manufacture and will be setting up meetings with retailers like John Lewis in the next few months, with the aim of getting the products into the shops by the end of this year."

Nathan's business dream began while he was a student on the industrial design course at Sheffield Hallam University and came up with the idea for his spice mill which works by being rolled in the hands without any need to grip or twist – making it ideal for people who suffer from arthritis and other conditions which restrict the movement of the hands.

He went on to work on a range of kitchen items which can be used by people with limited dexterity, but which are so attractive and practical they will be sought after by all types of consumer.

Nathan was listed in the Shell Livewire Hot 40 2010 and was voted Most Enterprising Student in Central England in 2007.

Jim Lawson of the Entrepreneur Exchange added: "This new company is a great achievement for Nathan and also demonstrates the importance of the Entrepreneur Exchange's contribution to boosting the economy of the Sheffield city region."

If?Works website

Images: B&ESY

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News: B&ESY celebrate 300th member of Entrepreneur Exchange scheme

Rotherham-based Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&ESY) organised a special event to mark Sheffield's Entrepreneur Exchange 300th member at Sheffield Institute of Arts in the Furnival Building at Sheffield Hallam University recently.

The Entrepreneur Exchange, which operates as part of Sheffield City Council's Enterprise Programme, works by linking existing entrepreneurs with those who are just starting out on the route to entrepreneurship, in a bid to successfully establish and grow their businesses.

Another aspect of the Exchange's work is to inspire young people in Sheffield schools to consider setting up their own ventures in the future.

Liz Yoxall, Relationship Manager from the Entrepreneur Exchange, which is run by Business & Education South Yorkshire, said: "We held this event to thank the entrepreneurs who have supported us over the past three years and to celebrate reaching our 300th member milestone!

"It is thanks to the commitment of our entrepreneurs that we can continue to support young people and those who are at that crucial stage in setting up a business when practical or professional support is absolutely vital for future success."

At the event, Jo Panasiuk from Sorted Sheffield, explained how the support he had had from the Entrepreneur Exchange, through the National Enterprise Academy has been a huge help in setting up his new business venture. Jo, who is 17, has been linked with Vinny Rihal from Kaimera Creative in Rotherham and the two are now working together to launch a new media channel to reach Sheffield students later in the Spring.

Jo Panasiuk from Sorted Sheffield, said: "I have had lots of help and support from the Entrepreneur Exchange, which has given me the confidence to take my business idea forward. After being introduced to Vinny, I recognised that his design and website experience and my knowledge of how to reach the student market, meant we were able to come up with an exciting business model, with a launch planned for May this year."

B&ESY website

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News: Young people to get up to speed at GMF event

South Yorkshire's young people will join Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to get up to speed with engineering and manufacturing at the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield this month.

"Get up to Speed", sponsored by TATA Steel and organised by Business and Education South Yorkshire, provides the opportunity to see some of the fastest vehicles and people on earth, many with links to the Rotherham business community.

Representatives from the Bloodhound Project, the ultimate land speed record car will be there including record breaker and entrepreneur Richard Noble OBE. Newburgh Engineering in Rotherham are to provide precision parts for the 1,000 mph supercar.

Marussia Virgin Racing, the Formula One team with headquarters in Rotherham, will bring their show car to go alongside Rotherham entrepreneur, Adam Tinsley and the Formula One simulator from his F1 Showcars company.

Also in attendance will be Nicola Minichiello, Women's World Bobsleigh Champion who is supported by athlete-focused engineering technology from Bromley Technologies on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

The event will also provide an opportunity to talk to many leading manufacturing and engineering businesses, including their apprentices, about career paths, skills and qualifications.

Nicola Minichiello, Women's World Bobsleigh Champion and cofounder of Team Active Fun Ltd, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn new and exciting things about engineering. I'm delighted to be able offer first hand experience into the role engineering played in developing my sled and how important engineering design and innovation is to my bobsleigh achievements."

Mick Hood, HR Manager at TATA Steel Speciality, said: "Engineers and technologists are critical to modern life but with the number of students choosing to study these subjects dwindling, it's vital we do everything we can to enthuse and inspire young people through events like this. The Get up to Speed event focuses on innovation, manufacturing and engineering excellence which are all critical to Tata Steel.

"Our products have extremely high technical and chemical specifications and are used in everything from the landing gear of the largest and most advanced aircraft to drilling components used deep in the ocean floor.

"We are excited and proud to sponsor an event designed to bring together the very best in terms of innovation, design and the part being played by young trainees and apprentices in the wider city region."

Get up to speed takes place on Thursday March 17 at Ekspan in Sheffield.

GMF Sheffield website

Images: Marussia Virgin Racing

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News: Jackie Freeborn wins Rotherham Athena Award

Jackie Freeborn, chief executive of Business & Education South Yorkshire in Rotherham, has been named as the recipient of this year's Rotherham Athena Award, which recognises the achievements of women from all walks of life who are fulfilling leadership roles and supporting other women to do the same.

A former area manager and deputy regional director of Business in the Community, Jackie took on her current role in 2007.

Jackie and her team work with more than 8,000 businesses to provide young people across South Yorkshire with inspiring opportunities to enable them to understand and experience the world of work – equating to around 6,000 opportunities for young people in Rotherham each year.

Rotherham is the only place in the UK to be affiliated to the Athena International Programme, the main aim of which is to secure a balance in leadership worldwide. It began life in the United States in the early 1980s and now extends across the world.

The license for the Rotherham Athena Award 2011 is held by Rotherham Borough Council, on behalf of Rotherham Partnership, which brings together representatives from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to address local issues and improve life for local residents.

The judging panel comprised Brian Chapple, Chair of Rotherham Partnership; Joanna Jones, Rotherham Women's Network Co-ordinator; Jessica Zeun, Chair of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber's Women in Business Group, and Joyce Thacker, Rotherham Borough Council's Strategic Director of Children and Young People's Services.

B&ESY website

Images: Shaun Flannery

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News: Newburgh bringing educators and engineers together

Newburgh Engineering in Rotherham is further demonstrating its commitment to young people in manufacturing and engineering roles, by sponsoring a dinner at the Cutlers Hall, bringing together education leaders and headteachers from Sheffield and Rotherham and key figures from manufacturing and engineering businesses in the region.

The dinner, which will be held on February 10 and is being organised by Business & Education South Yorkshire and Sheffield City Council, is part of the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield.

Hosted by the Master Cutler, Bill Speirs, the aim is to bring together leaders in both education and business to further promote the ways that they can work better together to support young people's learning and knowledge of the industry and enhance their career opportunities.

Vincent Middleton, Managing Director of Newburgh Engineering, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this event because, as a business, we recognise how vital it is to invest in developing the next generation of highly skilled engineers for the future. There are huge opportunities for young people within the engineering and manufacturing sector and by working more closely with schools, this region's businesses will ensure they can remain competitive on a global scale."

Newburgh Engineering, which is a high precision engineering company with over 70 years of history, has invested in developing its "New Era for Apprentices" programme back in 2009, in partnership with Brinsworth Training. This pioneering new approach to Apprenticeships was designed to create a highly skilled breed of young engineers, after the company found it extremely difficult to recruit skilled staff of the right calibre.

In October, the company announced that it had been awarded a major new ten year multi million pound contract with Springfield Fuels Ltd and in January this year, Newburgh Engineering was awarded a second contract with a value of over £1m with a major power generation company.

Vincent Middleton continues: "As we are in the precision engineering sector, we rely on the skill and expertise of our staff and this can only be achieved through investment in skills and recruiting young people who can receive the in-depth training they need to meet our exacting standards.

"Such high value contracts in precision-critical industries mean that we need to recruit top engineers who can help us to stay at the top of our game. It is very exciting to be involved with Sheffield's first Global Manufacturing Festival, with the ultimate beneficiaries being young people looking to develop a career in this sector and the companies that employ them."

Newburgh Engineering is a specialist contract manufacturer of component parts and assemblies for the nuclear, defence, oil and gas, petrochemical, aerospace and power generation industries.

Newburgh Engineering website
Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield website

Images: newburgh.co.uk

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News: Manufacturers celebrate workwise success

Kevin Parkin, managing director of DavyMarkham in Sheffield, called for even more businesses to get involved in the exciting new work-wise programme, at a special event that marked the six month success of the pilot scheme, which was designed to open up the opportunities for young people to enter the world of engineering and manufacturing.

He joined The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Alan Law JP, over 50 employers and a number of teachers and pupils at a breakfast event at The Springs Academy in Sheffield, which was organised by Rotherham-based Business & Education South Yorkshire (b&e) who manage the work-wise programme, and heard how the programme is already starting to have a major impact on young people.

The work-wise programme has been developed in partnership with a number of manufacturing and engineering companies in response to their concerns that not enough young people are attracted to the sector as well as not having the basic work ready skills to take up apprenticeships and jobs.

Jackie Freeborn, chief executive of Business & Education South Yorkshire said: "This programme will grow significantly this year, after the success of Phase One when 48 students from three schools worked with three local businesses.

"Work-wise has given many of the pupils the enthusiasm to pursue a career in engineering and for the businesses involved it has given them real hope of a bright future for their businesses through this new generation of young engineers."

The first phase of the work-wise pilot programme involved Sheffield companies Firth Rixson, DavyMarkham and William Beckett Plastics and pupils from Handsworth Grange and King Ecgbert Schools and Sheffield Springs Academy.

It has attracted the interest of over 60 employers including Newburgh Engineering, Firth Rixson, DavyMarkham, the OSL Group of Companies, Chimo Holdings, Sheffield Forgemasters, Tinsley Bridge, as well as partners such as NAMTEC, Made in Sheffield and The Industrial Trust, and Sheffield City Council.

Phase Two aims to work with up to 300 students across the region, following a successful first phase, which has helped to raise the aspirations of pupils about careers in engineering.

Employers involved with work-wise commit to offering a range of planned and structured activities for young people, including work experience, industry visits and challenges to improve their understanding of engineering. A work-wise tool kit and work book, plus training and support are provided by b&e. Students are assessed by companies to standards set by industry so that students as truly work ready and work-wise.

B&ESY website

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News: Local engineering firms work wise

Local schools and engineering businesses are celebrating the success of a pioneering new employer led initiative - "work-wise" - which is designed to encourage young people to take up careers in engineering and manufacturing and better prepare them with the skills and attributes employers are looking for.

Managed by Business & Education South Yorkshire (b&e) in Rotherham, the first phase of the work-wise pilot programme has been successfully completed with the support of Firth Rixson, Davy Markham and William Beckett Plastics and involved pupils from three Sheffield schools.

Amongst the highlights was a motivational workshop delivered by the Firth Rixson Academy and b&e, and which involved Sheffield-born 2009 world bobsleigh champion Nicola Minichiello.

Firth Rixson, the metal products manufacturer, worked in partnership with b&e and other local employers (AESSEAL, Chimo Holdings, Davy Markham, Newburgh Engineering and Tinsley Bridge) to design the programme, and then accepted pupils from Handsworth Grange Community Sports College and Sheffield Springs Academy to undertake the intensive programme earlier this year. Other employers also offered similar opportunities to students.

Group HR Manager for Firth Rixson Alison Bettac, who helped in the design and delivery of the programme, said: "The original idea came from a meeting of business leaders from the engineering industry in the Sheffield City Region who were keen to address the urgent need to get young people interested in the sector again.

"They decided to create dedicated opportunities in engineering with the added value of training the pupils in the kind of essential skills which employers are looking for in work-ready individuals.

"We are calling these the work-wise essentials and they include, for example, showing respect, good conduct in the workplace, turning up on time and understanding how businesses work and how companies and individuals contribute to the UK economy."

Linda Allan of Sheffield Springs Academy said: "The work-wise project is very well organised, and the students are loving it. It has boosted their self confidence and given them a taste of the real world of work."

b&e website

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News: Business & Education South Yorkshire staff raise funds for Bluebell Wood

Staff at Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&ESY) in Rotherham have raised over £1,000 for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice by taking part in this year's Master Cutler's Challenge.

The annual charity challenge is run by the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire and this year organisations are invited to take £50 of starter funding and turn it into as much money as possible for Bluebell Wood.

B&ESY raised £600 over the August Bank Holiday weekend at a free fun day held in the Brentwood Hotel, Rotherham.

the event which included tombolas, raffles, a penalty shoot-out, a bouncy castle, and a range of stalls selling items such as jewellery, books and Bluebell Wood merchandise.

Among the highlights were performances and workshops from members of the Rotherham-based Nikki Lynam School of Performing Arts, including their streetdance troupe Ice who reached the semi-finals of the "Britain's Got Talent" TV show.

The Fun Day was rounded off with an evening of entertainment including a sparkling performance by Lady Ga Ga tribute act Leanne Green.

Jackie Freeborn, chief executive of B&ESY, said: "I would like to thank all the individuals and local businesses who helped to make the day such a success, in particular Jason Hodgson at the Brentwood Hotel, Neal Docherty of Broadsword UK who donated all our posters and leaflets, as well as all those companies who donated gifts for our raffle."

B&ESY is the lead organisation in the South Yorkshire region, which is responsible for creating links between employers and education.

Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice provides care and support to families who have a child who has a life limiting condition and is not expected to live into adulthood.

Business & Education South Yorkshire website
Bluebell Wood website

Images: B&ESY

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News: New appointments at Business & Education South Yorkshire

Four new members of staff have joined Business & Education South Yorkshire (b&e) in Rotherham to further enhance the organisation's services to businesses and schools across the region.

Pippa Proctor has joined as employability relationship manager. Pippa will be responsible for engaging with businesses in the hospitality sector across Sheffield to provide impartial help and support to employers to recruit, retain and train all staff. She will provide help and advice and refer to specialist services able to assist and support with their business needs.

Janice Richardson joins as project co-ordinator for the new b&e work-wise programme, driven by local engineering and manufacturing companies and aimed at encouraging and supporting young people to access job opportunities. Janice will work alongside local businesses and schools to develop this collaborative and innovative approach.

Also new to the team are Robert Gamble and Kirsty Doran who take up roles as employment engagement officers for b&e's work experience team. Robert and Kirsty will be dedicated to sourcing suitable work placements that match the skills and aspirations of South Yorkshire's young people.

Jackie Freeborn, chief executive of Business & Education South Yorkshire, said: "This is a very exciting time for our organisation, as we continue to expand to enhance our services to meet the needs of this region's employers. We are now in an even better position to offer the very best quality services, which are tailored to benefit South Yorkshire young people, individuals and businesses."

B&e is the lead organisation in the South Yorkshire region, which is responsible for creating links between employers and education. B&e inspires people to achieve the best they possibly can, by raising aspirations and positively shaping values and their perceptions of the world of work. B&e uses employer influence to help people, particularly young people, understand, experience and prepare for the world of work.

The organisation currently works with over 17,000 young people and 8,000 employers per year.

B&E website

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News: Apprentices adding value to Rotherham businesses

50 local businesses attended a recent event at Horner Brothers Print Group in Rotherham and were given an insight into how to maximise people performance and enhance and add value to their business through apprentices.

Judith Fox, managing director of Horner Brothers Print Group in Rotherham, described how the company hosts work experience students and regularly takes on new apprentices, one of which was Karl Markham. Karl was offered an Apprenticeship eight years ago and now enjoys a full time role with the company as a skilled envelope printer. Karl is an invaluable member of the team at Horners and his recent successes have included being recognised in the Apprentice of the Year awards run by the British Print Industry Federation.

John Barber from Business & Education South Yorkshire, said: "Employers in this area recognise the benefits of investing in Apprenticeships and this event went a long way to reinforce this.

"There were some fantastic stories of local businesses that are flourishing by recruiting and training their own young people. The event showed how Apprentices can make a positive contribution to a business and how funding and support is available for local companies."

Wayne Miller from the National Apprenticeship Services added: "There was a lot of interest from South Yorkshire employers at the event. In many businesses, over 40 per cent of the skilled workforce is close to retirement.

"Although times are still tough for many businesses, many companies recognise the need to act now and address the skills gap by recruiting and training young people, to ensure the future competitiveness and productivity of their businesses."

The event was delivered by Andy Hanselman Consulting, in partnership with Business & Education South Yorkshire and supported by the National Apprenticeship Service, Rotherham Work & Skills and Enterprise Boards.

A breakfast meeting is taking place on March 19 at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham to hear more from local manufacturing companies on how they have benefited from investing in Apprentices. To book a place, contact nicki.burrow@be-sy.co.uk.

Horner Brothers website
B&ESY website
Rotherham

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News: John Burley welcomes overseas apprentice

Seventeen year old Alex Segalini got the chance to experience life as an apprentice in a totally different working environment, when he swapped his home town of Strasbourg in France for Rotherham recently.



Alex joined John Burley Ltd in Swinton as part of the European Exchange Programme, organised by Business & Education South Yorkshire (b&e) and was keen to find out how working life in England differed from that in France.

Alex said: "Working in Rotherham was very exciting; all the people were very friendly and made me feel part of the team. It was similar to working in France as there was a lot of work to do - I enjoy being busy! The only thing I didn't like was how cold it was during the two weeks!"

John Burley is a shelving and racking supplier which gave Alex the chance to try his hand at fabrication techniques, such as assembling several different shelving solutions including pallet racking, long span shelving and benching for a number of clients spread across Yorkshire and Tyneside.

John Burley director, Robert Burley, explains: "We wanted to get involved with the European Exchange Programme because we have seen the benefits with my nephew, who is currently in France working on a similar apprenticeship to what Alex is studying. He is having a very valuable experience and we wanted to be able to give a French Apprentice that same experience over here.

"Hopefully we have shown Alex that engineering is not a dull or a dirty job, but is a fast-paced exciting industry that has lots of opportunities for young people."

Joyce Tinker, Lead Manager at Business & Education South Yorkshire, added: "We would like to thank John Burley for hosting a second French Apprentice student at their factory. We have had great support from South Yorkshire businesses and the feedback we have had from the Apprentices has shown how worthwhile the whole project has been. We are looking forward to welcoming our next group of Apprentices in February."

Other Rotherham organisations invlived in the programme include Newburgh Engineering, Dearne valley College and RCAT.

John Burley website
b&esy website
Rotherham

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News: Newburgh Engineering welcomes French apprentice

Rotherham-based Newburgh Engineering welcomed French apprentice Yoan Streicher (17) on a two week work placement recently, as part of an exchange programme organised by Business & Education South Yorkshire (b&e).

The trip involved ten apprentices from the Strasbourg region of France, who are studying for their NVQ-equivalents in fabrication.

Whilst with Newburgh Engineering, Yoan got his chance to work on several different pieces of machinery, including the manual and CNC lathes, where he learnt many different turning, milling and precision manufacturing techniques.

Yoan also got the chance to work alongside Newburgh engineers who were producing components for the Bloodhound SSC project, the supercar that is currently being designed to beat the current land speed record.

Dennis Smedley, apprentice mentor at Newburgh Engineering, said: "This is the third time we have hosted a French apprentice as we hope to be able to inspire the next generation of young engineers and believe that offering work placements to both UK and international apprentices is an important part of this.

"Yoan showed a great interest in the industry and he definitely has the right attitude to work in a fast pace, engineering environment. He is already a skilled and precise trainee engineer and we wish him well with his studies and in his future career."

Lead liaison manager for business & education South Yorkshire, Joyce Tinker, said: "2009 has been a great year for the European Exchange Programme. Six successful visits have been arranged, which has seen both English and French apprentices gaining valuable insights into the industry they work in, but in a different country."

Newburgh Engineering website
b&e website
Rotherham

Images: b&e

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News: Business & Education South Yorkshire appoints new funding manager

Doreen Cyprien from Sheffield has recently joined Business & Education South Yorkshire based in Rotherham (B&E) as funding manager.

In her new role, she will oversee and co-ordinate the sourcing of funding to help the organisation to expand its offer in supporting the development of tomorrow's talent and create new and innovative approaches to business and education linked activities.

B&E is the lead organisation in the area for co-ordinating work experience with schools and businesses.

John Barber, Business Development Manager at B&E said: "We are delighted to welcome Doreen to B&E. She will fit in well with our team as she is passionate about helping young people and has the experience to support our management team in securing funds for future initiatives. Doreen's will be an important role in helping us to develop tomorrow's talent in schools and colleges by working closely with the relevant funding bodies."

B&E website
Rotherham

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News: Work experience makes all the difference to Rotherham students

With the new academic year fast approaching, Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&E-SY), the lead organisation in the area for co-ordinating work experience with schools and businesses, is looking for local businesses in all sectors to offer work placements to young people.

Fran Bevan-Eyles, work placement manager at B&E-SY, explains: "Work experience is a vital part of the National Curriculum for students in academic years 10-12. The impact that placements have on thousands of young people's lives is incredible, providing a valuable insight into so many different industry sectors and shaping their future career choices.

"Without the support of local businesses, we couldn't make this happen and so many young people would miss out on this valuable opportunity."

One Rotherham student who benefitted from a work placement was Liam Smith from Winterhill School who spent two weeks with JKP Engineering in Sheffield earlier this year.

Andy Holt, JKP Engineering Director, said: "We have offered a number of work placements over the years, but Liam really stood out to us as he was so enthusiastic about learning new skills.

"When he finished at school, he kept in touch and we were pleased to be able to offer him a full time position, which is working out well both for Liam and the company."

"We would encourage other businesses to do the same as work experience gives you the chance to get to know a potential employee first and to see if they have the right attitude and interest in that type of industry."

B&E-SY is responsible for co-ordinating work placements for over 17,500 students every year and the organisation's aim is to link employers across South Yorkshire with young people to develop tomorrow's talent.

B&E-SY website
JKP Engineering website
Rotherham

Images: B&E-SY

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News: B&E-SY making their mark for Enterprise Week

Over 76 schools, 10,000+ pupils and 500 businesses in South Yorkshire are planning to take part in National Enterprise Week this week. A whole host of activities, which have been organised in this region by Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&E-SY), ranging from careers fayres, theatrical performances and’ What’s my line?’ challenges, all involving local business people, to the now infamous ‘Make your Mark Challenge’ and the ‘Coca Cola Real Business Challenge’. Joyce Tinker, lead liaison manager for Business & Education South Yorkshire, explains: "National Enterprise Week is about making students more aware of the world of work and giving them ideas about the type of careers they could pursue when they finish their education. We have experts from all types of businesses lined up to get involved in challenges with the schools, which really brings the world of work to life and shows them the huge opportunities that lie ahead of them." During National Enterprise Week, Business & Education South Yorkshire will be co-ordinating dozens of enterprise-related challenges with South Yorkshire schools. This annual event is designed to encourage enterprise in schools across the country through a series of business challenges.

B&E-SY website
Rotherham

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