Burton & District Burton & District Chamber Patrons


Contact: Chris Plant T: 0845 603 6650


In Brief


Phase one of a Chamber-backed initiative to improve Burton town centre has been launched. This will see the implementation of a number


of projects, including measures to improve traffic flow, such as alterations to traffic-light controlled junctions and parking bays. There will also be improvements to areas of


the Memorial Garden and the greening of the town centre, including the commissioning of new, public art. Burton’s railway station will also be the subject of improvements. The second phase of the programme will


take the form of a jointly commissioned consultant supporting the development of a masterplan for the town, with the report being available during 2018. The whole scheme is being carried out by


East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council, and it is being delivered in partnership with the Chamber. Burton Chamber director Chris Plant, who


sits on the programme board as an independent business representative, said:


"We are committed to improving the overall experience of visiting Burton and make it a town centre that local people and visitors want to shop and spend time in.”


A scheme has been launched to help qualified construction college students find jobs. The project has been developed by the


Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and student Jack Line at the pie-face challenge at the fundraising event


Hasselbaink supports BSDC fundraising event


Soccer superstar Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink helped launch a major fundraising event at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC). Jimmy – a former manager of Burton Albion


who is also BSDC’s patron of sport, health and fitness – dropped by to lend his support to the event, which was raising money for those affected by Hurricane Irma, which devastated many territories in the Caribbean.


‘It is fantastic to see students at BSDC offering their support to the victims of Hurricane Irma’


Among the areas affected was Anguilla, which


is home to members of Jimmy’s family. Jimmy himself is a former Dutch international footballer, but has worked for many years in the UK, playing for Leeds, Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Charlton and Cardiff, as well as managing Burton, Queens Park Rangers and current club Northampton Town. The college event – called the ‘Fundraising


Power Hour’ - saw students and staff taking part in a range of fun party games and challenges,


including a pie-face challenge, arm wrestle challenge and a cracker eating challenge. The staff and children in the college nursery


held a bake sale, and there were also several donate-to-play games hosted by staff and students, including face painting, lucky dips and apple bobbing. In addition, the daughter of a progress coach


at the college, Lily French, had her long hair cut in return for donations for both the Little Princess Trust and Hurricane Irma victims. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said: “It is fantastic


to see students at BSDC offering their support to the victims of Hurricane Irma. For the people of the islands, there are many difficult and challenging months, possibly even years, ahead trying to rebuild their communities. “One island worst affected by this tragic


event, Anguilla, I hold very close to my heart as it is the home of my children's grandparents. To see such a beautiful, vibrant island, home to some of the warmest and amazing people I have ever met suffering, breaks my heart. I feel it is my obligation to do something, to help those affected get some sort of normality back into their lives. Thank you to everyone who is donating to help rebuild Anguilla.”


Home Builders Federation’s Home Building Skills Partnership (HBSP), which is working with five further education colleges, including Burton and South Derbyshire’s construction academy in Swadlincote. The project basically involves preparing the


students for the world of work, by bridging the gap between college and employment. The initial focus is on carpentry and joinery,


dry lining and bricklaying, which are among the most challenging job areas to recruit to. Burton and South Derbyshire College has


been focusing on carpentry and joinery, and has already found jobs for two of its candidates, at David Wilson Homes and St Modwen Homes. Jenny Herdman, director of the HBSP, said:


“Colleges play a key role in getting people trained in specialist trades, but we know that it’s not always enough to secure them employment. “Nationally, the overall retention rate of


construction college leavers moving into their specialist trades is a major challenge and we need them in home building. “As an industry, we need


to get better at transitioning college leavers from construction courses into employment. “This fast track


programme aims to get more site-ready people entering the home building industry and so help increase industry capacity.”


November 2017 CHAMBERLINK 43


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