BUSINESS REPORT
PLUMBING SKILLS ACADEMY NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Tresham College of Further and Higher Education’s dedicated training and assessment facility for gas, plumbing and renewable energy has opened for business for local companies to train their workforce. Originally opened in 2006, the St
Mark’s Skills Academy has been refurbished to provide tradespeople, apprentices and students at the college with high quality, specialist industry accreditations and up to date qualifications through the college’s business focused training division called Evolve. Located close to the college’s main
The Chamber’s QES suggestsas many as 70 per cent of local manufacturing firms tried to recruit employees during Q1
LOCAL FIRMS PLAN FOR JOBS GROWTH
Firms in Northamptonshire are experiencing strong jobs growth as employers looked to increase their workforce at the start of 2015, according to the latest Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey(QES). The report for the first quarter of 2015, which
contains responses from 98 county businesses employing 3,371 people, also show that despite a slight dip in exports compared to Q4, 2014, by manufacturers, global sales and advance orders remained at strong levels in Northamptonshire. Looking at the results more closely, between
January and March 96% of manufacturing respondents’ workforce (up from 84%) and 94% of service sector respondents (up 3%) had increased or remained the same during the quarter.
‘CONFIDENCE LEVELS REMAIN HIGH AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FIRMS ARE INCREASING THEIR WORKFORCE’
The study showed 70% of manufacturing and 57% of service respondents tried to recruit new employees during Q1 however difficulties still exist in recruitment for the manufacturing sector with 71% of respondents experiencing challenges in finding employees compared to 56% in the service sector (down from 70%). Turning to overseas sales, 79% of manufacturers
export sales’ remained the same or increased over the last three months, 78% (down from 91%) of respondents also reported advance export orders had increased or stayed the same. Within the
service sector 90% of respondents (down 10%) reported level or increased export sales in Q1 and 76% (fall from 100%) reporting level or increased advance orders. Manufacturers were also facing pressures to raise
prices due to overheads and pay settlements – at 45% and 42% respectively. For service firms, overheads is still the main concern for service respondents at 41% (up from 32% in the prior quarter). Worryingly pay settlements are also an increased concern at 31%. Northamptonshire businesses continue to show
confidence in both turnover and profitability in 2015. The study reveals 94% of manufacturers expect turnover to improve or stay the same over the next 12 months, with 14% expecting profitability to worsen over the same period. Within the service sector 92% expect turnover and 94% expect profitability to improve or remain the same over the coming year. Paul Griffiths, chief executive of
Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The first QES of 2015 shows a very positive start to the year for the Northamptonshire economy. “Confidence levels remain high and
Northamptonshire firms are increasing their workforce – although pay settlements has crept back as concern for companies, it is an indication that as prices rise, employers are reviewing their employees’ salaries. This is a potential sign of the economic recovery. “Whichever government is in place after the
general election must further support our firms by focussing on long-term growth and strategic vision to help them reach their full potential.”
JUNE/JULY 2015 inbusiness 7
Corby campus on the St James Industrial Estate, the centre offers tailor-made courses for a range of students with varying start dates to suit the specific requirements of employers within the building services and engineering sector.
Courses on offer at the specialist centre include:
• Domestic gas assessment • Commercial gas assessment • LPG • Unvented hot water • Water regulations • Gas foundation course • Plumbing L2 and L3 • Heating and ventilation L2 & L3
Tracy Cosgrave, operations director at Evolve, said: “The St Mark’s Skills Academy is focused on making a real difference to the county’s building services and engineering sector. “We are working towards becoming
the go-to provider for industry professionals across the region and with the centre we are one step closer to providing the qualifications employers need.”
For more details about the courses, call 01536 419570 or visit
www.evolve-tresham.ac.uk
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