Norfolk Chamber was proud to have sponsored the recent National Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony at the St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich. The Chamber joined with parents, training providers and local employers in congratulating the graduating apprentices, who had successfully completed their apprenticeships.
Norfolk Chamber’s own Events Apprentice, Samantha Brown received her graduation scroll for completing her Level 2 Business Administration at the ceremony. Commenting on the ceremony andreceiving her scroll Sam Brown said:
“It was a great opportunity to share this evening with so many other graduating apprentices and to hear about their different qualifications. I love the fact that apprenticeships have now been recognised in this way and that we are able to graduate and be given a scroll, it gives me personally a great sense of achievement for my hard work.”
Nova Fairbank, Executive Assistant at Norfolk Chamber said:
“Over the last few years, Norfolk Chamber has recruited several apprentices, in fact those apprentices represented 25% of our workforce. Upon graduation, two have been employed permanently at the Chamber, one has gone on to undertake a Level 3 apprenticeship with us and another is half way though her Level 2 apprenticeship with us.
It is important to celebrate what a great achievement it is for those young people who are not only gaining a qualification, through lots of hard work, but from an employer’s perspective, they are also totally work ready, which is one of the key reasons why Norfolk Chamber has sponsored the National Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony in Norwich.”
According to recent Office of National Statistics figures, the UK’s unemployment total has risen for the first time in two years. The ONS said 1.85 million people in the UK were unemployed in the March to May period, an increase of 15,000 from the previous quarter, with a jobless rate at 5.6%.
However the local unemployment figures here in Norfolk told a different story, with the overall results bucking the national trend and showing that the unemployment figures were still falling.
All Norfolk districts saw the JSA claimant rates continue the trend of recent months and fell further. Broadland had the largest percentage fall of -10.1%, with Norwich showing a percentage drop of -6.5% and Great Yarmouth a drop of -4.1%. The smallest percentage change was in King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, who saw a percentage change of -3.8%. Overall Norfolk’s JSA claimant rate fell from 1.4% in May, to 1.3% in June 2015.
Chamber member, RG Carter has been successful in securing the contract to build Dudgeon Offshore Wind’s new Operations and Maintenance base in Great Yarmouth. The base will be located at Berth 9, next to the River Yare within the Great Yarmouth Port. Work commenced in early July and is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2016.
RG Carter have been contracted to convert an existing warehouse into Dudgeon’s permanent office and logistics facility. The finished building will include a two storey facility, integrated into the existing framework of the warehouse. There will be sufficient spaces for Dudgeon’s onshore workforce, as well a dedicated 24 hour a day control centre to monitor and mange the windfarm’s production.
Commenting on the awarded contract, Rune Rønvik, the Dudgeon Operations Manager said:
“Commencing building work on Dudgeon’s new O&M base is a significant milestone for the project as we continue our preparations for the wind farm’s operational phase” comments. We are happy to have awarded this important contract to RG Carter and look forward to further establishing ourselves as an integral part of the local business community.”
Since the Great Eastern Mainline (GEML) Taskforce was created in 2013, at the request of the Chancellor, they have been making a compelling case for rail improvements in our region, which has resonated right across Whitehall and Westminster.
David Cameron, George Osborne, Transport ministers, MPs from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and beyond, together with many others have repeatedly praised the GEML campaign. More importantly Ministers have committed to the levels of investment that our region needs. Without doubt, the active support of leaders from across business, education and local authorities has helped make the difference.
The GEML Taskforce continue to have confidence in the progress made so far, and that the year-on-year transformation of the Great Eastern Mainline will continue. But success depends on us, the local business community, to keep up the momentum.
The Taskforce has advised that, despite the recent news of Network Rail’s performance and Government plans to ‘pause’ improvements in parts of the country, the Great Eastern Mainline was not affected. Transport Secretary Patrick Mcloughlin repeated his promise to the Taskforce to bring about ‘modern, faster trains to Ipswich and Norwich in the next franchise’. And in the recent Summer Budget, the Chancellor also re-affirmed his commitment for ‘Norwich in 90 and Ipswich in 60’ campaign. Keeping up the momentum, the Taskforce has written to the Transport Secretary and Network Rail asking for renewed assurances that the improvements will be delivered on time and as promised.
The GEML Taskforce has met twice, since the General Election in May, to review progress and agree the next steps. The most recent developments for the Great Eastern Mainline are:
Department for Transport has announced the three train companies shortlisted to bid for the new franchise. They are Abellio East Anglia in a joint venture with Stagecoach; First East Anglia; and National Express. These train companies will now submit their bids to Government by August, with the expectation that they will be innovative in their approach to achieving the recommendations of the Great Eastern Rail Report – including all-important new rolling stock and changes to the timetable. The contract winner will be announced by Government in June 2016 with the new franchise starting in October 2016.
The Taskforce has invited each of the three bidders to meet with them, so that they can outline first hand the high expectations that our region has of the new service. All three train companies have confirmed their acceptance of the invitation.
Network Rail is undertaking a feasibility study which will set out the engineering work required to increase the speed of the rail line. The final recommendations will be published in November 2015 with work starting soon after. At the same time, Network Rail’s Anglia Route Study will identify the work needed for the whole of the region between 2019-2024 and will be published in summer 2015.
All the newly elected MPs across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have been briefed on the GEML campaign and are supportive and fully involved.
The GEML Taskforce have recently written to business leaders across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and invited them to attend an update meeting on 23 October 2015 in Ipswich. The meeting will bring together all the key supporters and provide a progress update on the campaign, as well as answer any questions. They also hope that all three of the shortlisted train companies for our region’s rail franchise will attend this meeting.
Commenting on the work that has been done so far by the GEML Taskforce,Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“It is vitally important the Norfolk’s business community continue to support the rail campaign and the work that the GEML Taskforce is doing. Already the results of delivering a consistent message to Westminster, from the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex’s business communities; the New Anglia LEP; theMPs from across the 3 counties;and the local authoritiesis paying off. With continued support and encouragement, we can work together to transform our railway.”
The Broads Authority is producing new guidance on the subjects of mooring and riverbank stabilisation design.
The Authority has an existing guide for Riverbank Protection Works which is over ten years old. As part of the Local Plan review process, Officers have reviewed the guide with the intention of making the content more up to date to reflect current practice and lessons learned.
The consultation responses are intended to give would-be designers/developers of riverbank stabilisation and moorings high level information to help inform the way forward with their design and highlight some of the common issues which such development needs to consider.
Ask most businesses in Norfolk what they need to help them to create improved economic growth and deliver more jobs and the majority will say improved road infrastructure would be a good start. Ask businesses in Great Yarmouth what they need and they will tell you improvements to the Acle Straight and improved links into the town and the port.
One of those improved links is a £112m third river crossing, identified five years ago, spanning 50m from the Southtown area to the South Denes area of Great Yarmouth. Supporters of this river crossing say it is crucial to cutting congestion, supporting regeneration and improving links to the town’s port.
The Chancellor, George Osborne, gave the go ahead to a river crossing in Lowestoft in March’s pre-election budget and Norfolk County Councillors fear that the Great Yarmouth equivalent may be in danger of being left behind. They are planning to lobby Norfolk’s MPs, with the support of New Anglia LEP to push the Great Yarmouth river crossing to the top of the agenda.
Colleen Walker, Chairperson of the County Council’s Economic Development Sub committee said:
“It is essential that the crossing happened.” She went on to say “We are going to lobby MPs for the money for the river crossing. We are shovel ready to go and this is vital not just for Yarmouth but for the rest of Norfolk. We cannot just sit on our hands.”
Commenting on the latest news, Andy Penman, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said:
“Pressure needs to be stepped up over the third river crossing for Great Yarmouth. Norfolk Chamber will also call on our local MPs to lobby for the necessary funding to deliver the river crossing for Great Yarmouth. A crossing at this point would relieve traffic congestion, improve connectivity to the South Denes employment area and open up more regeneration opportunities, which are vital for the improvement of Great Yarmouth.”
The recent news headlines outline a possible cash crisis facing Norfolk’s schools. 91% of secondary schools stated they will have to cut faculty/subject budgets; 93% of secondary schools identified that they will have to cut ‘other resources’; and 39% of secondary schools advised that they will have to reduce teaching staff through redundancies either in 2015 or 2016. It is therefore even more important that the Norfolk business community engages with the local education establishments.
Soft skills and accessing a future workforce are key issues for the Norfolk business community. Norfolk Chamber is passionate about developing the talent of Norfolk’s young people and we are working with our key stakeholders to help bridge the gap between the world of education and the world of work.
Many businesses rely on the education system to help equip young people with the soft skills and attitude they need to successfully make the transition to work and we will continue to work with our education and business members to ensure that we work in partnership towards closing this gap.
For those schools that are already part of the Chamber network, they are aware that the Chamber can provide the school’s head teacher/principal and members of staff with opportunities to attend Norfolk Chamber events. This provides them with easy access their local business networks. Norfolk Chamber also actively welcome groups of member school’s students to attend our large scale events, such as B2B and any specific events aimed at both young people and businesses.
Norfolk tourism businesses are enjoying a bumper year with huge confidence about the school summer holidays to come, a recent survey has revealed.
The latest tourism business confidence monitor commissioned by Visit Norfolk reports that 82% of businesses are satisfied with their performance since Easter with 39% seeing an increase in their volume of visitors/guests since last year.
Nearly 90% of businesses are confident about their prospects for the critical school holiday period while six out of 10 are optimistic they will generate growth throughout the year.
More than two thirds of businesses describe their level of bookings to the end of August as “good or very good”
The survey compiled by Destination Research from data supplied by nearly 200 businesses, highlights the importance of refurbishment work and site improvements in driving performance. Businesses are also investing more in marketing reveals the monitor.
Visit Norfolk brand manager Pete Waters said the survey showed the county’s £2.8bn a year visitor economy was “in a good place”
“Our visitor attractions are currently investing over £7 million in improvements, particularly with weather-proofing and that will help drive the year-round visitor offering that we need to sustain full-time employment.”
Mr Waters said the “game-changer” would be the changing the mind-set that the Norfolk tourism season was 12 weeks of the year.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said “It is good to hear that our tourism businesses are optimistic about the next few months, however we need to be seen a year-round visitor destination Norfolk’s year-round visitor offering is probably better than any other county and we need to be seen.
“Improved infrastructure is needed to build on the current success. The proposed Northern Distributor Route around the east of Norwich will help unlock parts of our coast in particular, the unique Deep History Coast. Our rural businesses need improved Broadband speeds and reliable mobile signals to be able to increase their productivity levels”
Chamber gold patron Aviva has announced that they will create 400 jobs in Norwich as it moves to restructure the business following its takeover of Friends Life.
This move will trigger the closure of motor claims offices in Manchester and Stretford and whilst some of its staff from these area may relocate it is expected that the majority of jobs will be filled from Norfolk.
Andrew Morrish, Aviva’s claims operations director, advises that they are looking for a wide range of people with customer service experience from working parents, recent graduates, apprentices and older workers. Each new member of staff will be put through a training programme so direct experience is not needed.
Mr Morrish said “We want to create varied careers for people. We need to recruit motor claims staff, but they might move into the life division, or the tech business. There is a great career with Aviva in Norwich. It is unusual to have a company like Aviva that has a range of different divisions in one place”
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said “This is great news for Norfolk. The fact that Aviva sees Norwich as a ‘centre of excellence’ for their business will help to confirm Norwich as the important business centre that it is and increases its visibility. Aviva will be offering many different career opportunities for our young people as well as to those with different abilities”
Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North said “A major national employer is recognising that we can have excellence in Norwich. A move of this size brings other opportunities with it”
Mr Morris said Aviva wanted to reinforce its commitment to Norwich by engaging more with the local business community. “Getting support from business leaders and being more tuned into what is happening around Norfolk is good for us.”
Following the successful recruitment of an Events Co-ordinator Norfolk Chamber, due to expansion of the team,currently have an exciting opportunity for a 2nd experiencedprofessional to deliver high quality business events in a fast-paced environment.
You will be part of a busy team delivering over 70 events annually across Norfolk, ranging from large scale conferences and exhibitions, to business breakfasts and training. We regularly feature high profile speakers, including George Osborne, Vince Cable and CEOs of leading international businesses. You will be involved in strategic thinking to take our calendar to the next level.
With a proven track record, and three or more years relevant experience, you will be hardworking, innovative and have an understanding of how to market events using with the use of social media and technology.”
The salary will be £16,000 – £20,000 depending on experience.
Other benefits include 26 days holiday per annum, healthcare plan and contributory pension after successful completion of probation.
Drivers have been warned to expect overnight closures of the A47 at Postwick, at the eastern end of Norwich Southern Bypass, over the next two weeksstarting on Monday 13 July.
The closures, which are to allow furtherbridge work to be carried out, as part of thePostwick junctionimprovement,will be from 8pm to 6am at the latest.There will be shortdiversions via the slip roads and new link roads.
Norfolk Chamber was proud to be sponsoring the National Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony at the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn last night. The Chamber joined with parents, training providers and local employers in congratulating the graduating apprentices, who had successfully completed their apprenticeships.
The apprentices were presented with their scrolls by David Pomfret, Principal of the College of West Anglia and the event was hosted by Dan Bancroft from Mustard TV.
Heather Garrod, President of West Norfolk Chamber Council, said:
“It is important to celebrate what a great achievement it is for those young people who are not only gaining a qualification, through lots of hard work, but from an employer’s perspective, they are also totally work ready, which is one of the key reasons why Norfolk Chamber has sponsored the National Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony in King’s Lynn.”
Norfolk Chamber is also sponsoring the Apprenticeship graduation ceremony in Norwich, which will be held on Friday 17 July 2015 at St Andrew’s Hall from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.