Sector Focus: Skills & Training


Backing for centre of excellence


A new Centre of Excellence focusing on modern construction and digital technologies will be built at Chesterfield College after the scheme was awarded a £500,000 grant from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The investment will support the


D2N2 LEP’s vision of greener homes and technology, along with more energy-efficient public building; with construction being one of the most important sectors to the regional economy. The project is one of 10 across


Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire which has received funding from D2N2’s £44m share of the government’s £900m Getting Building Fund. The programme of investment is


being used to improve digital infrastructure; support skills and career opportunities; and the transition to a low carbon economy to drive economic growth following the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The funding award will allow


Chesterfield College to create a new centre where local students will be able to learn state-of-the-art techniques such as Building Information Modelling and Virtual and Augmented reality. The new centre, which will be


housed in pre-existing premises owned by the college, will complement the current curriculum being delivered to teach advanced manufacturing and building techniques. It will offer learners the opportunity to develop the skills which employers need to meet the demands in their sector. It’s hoped that these new skills


will enhance learners employment and career development opportunities as well as their earning potential. The facility will also support the growing demand from employers for a workforce well versed in new technologies and construction methods. With funding for the £875,000


facility now secured work will begin on the site ready to accept learner by April 2021. D2N2 Chair Elizabeth Fagan CBE


said: “Through the Getting Building Fund, D2N2 is investing in projects that will drive the regeneration of our regional economy, adapt to new opportunities, and create a more resilient economy for everyone. “I’m pleased D2N2 has been able


to invest in this Centre of Excellence at Chesterfield College. Ensuring our workforce has the skills to take advantage of ever more sophisticated and greener construction methods is an essential part of our vision for a cleaner and more sustainable economy.”


76 CHAMBERconnect Winter 2021


Partnership to meet autistic pupils’ needs


consultants to offer free training to help schools meet the needs of autistic pupils. RISE Adaptations Ltd has


A


teamed up with Access For All UK to deliver the webinars to primary and secondary schools around the country. Although specialist schools are available, 71% of autistic pupils attend mainstream schools and the organisations aim to enhance the experiences of young people with autism in these environments. The webinars will be delivered by


Derbyshire-based Access For All UK founders Jane Cooper and Gillian Scotford, who have autistic children themselves. They aim to help delegates understand autism, the barriers an autistic person may face in a school setting, and the solutions to overcome those barriers effectively. Ben Hickey (pictured), who launched RISE Adaptations in October, said: “We are constantly speaking to heads and teachers, and beyond the typical role of a Special Educational Needs Coordinator, there seems to be a real lack of confidence among


Doncaster disability adaptations business has partnered with accessibility


teaching and leadership staff about the best ways of supporting pupils with autism. “Most of the specialist


autism training already available is time- consuming and costly, so we are trying to shift the model to make it more cost-effective and accessible for schools. “We are thrilled to


‘Our children


are our greatest inspiration and our greatest teachers’


partner with Access For All UK, who are so committed to improving everyday life for children with additional needs, and we’re looking forward to the partnership developing further.” RISE Adaptations design and


install sensory rooms within schools to provide calming environments. They also work with other private and public sector organisations to provide modular and traditional build products, and despite the business being less than three months old, they are already in advanced talks with major transport providers, theme park operators, and NHS Trusts to provide sensory and changing


solutions to enhance disability


provision. The school training


sessions are part of bigger


plans with Access For All UK, which will see the companies work together on wider provision and support for schools around autism and sensory needs. Jane Cooper, Co-founder of


Access For All UK, said: “People think of accessibility and assume it must be really expensive, but most of it is about tiny little adjustments that make a massive difference. “Our children are our greatest


inspiration and our greatest teachers, and we want to share what we’ve learnt with others to improve learning experiences for autistic pupils.”


Brearley & Co welcome four new apprentices


Top Rotherham Accountancy firm Brearley & Co have welcomed four new apprentices to their growing team. Florence Davidson, Alex Wootton, Luke Campbell and Casey Jo Ezeldine joined the Brearley team in late 2020. The apprentices will learn the skills needed for specific roles, and study for accountancy qualifications along the way. Alan Cotton, Partner, said: “We have always been


proud of the fact we invest in apprentices and fund all their studying up to the level they want to achieve. Setting on four people at the same time is a record for us and demonstrates that not only are we continuing to expand in these very difficult times, but we are adding extra resources to maintain the high level of service we provide to our clients.” Brearley & Co specialise in a variety of


accountancy services including tax planning, accounts, payroll, and corporate finance. Founded in 1984, Brearley & Co have grown from


their offices in Swinton, Mexborough employing 50 staff across their three offices in Swinton, Dinnington and Rotherham town centre.


Top: Florence Davidson and Alex Wootton Bottom: Luke Campbell and Casey Jo Ezeldine


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