MEMBER NEWS Delivering vital
digital skills Chesterfield-based GBS Apprenticeships will deliver digital and IT skills training for public services contractor Serco's Derbyshire-based staff in a new partnership. The specialist training
provider will deliver training on behalf of Serco’s Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme, upskilling employees across pathways including digital marketing and IT. These programmes will be
delivered remotely over eight weeks, with the option of returning to face-to-face delivery. GBS director John Cusworth
said: “We are really pleased to have been selected to work in partnership with Serco to deliver the SSW programme. The partnership provides GBS with a fantastic opportunity to support the local skills agenda and enrich lives with new digital and IT skills in the Derbyshire area.” At the end of the
programme, delegates will receive accredited certification with either the Northern Council for Further Education or the British Computer Society, both of which can lead to further progression such as higher-level apprenticeships in digital marketing or IT. John added: “Being able to
offer short course provision in a sector in which we specialise can really benefit our network of employers, and at the same time complement our existing offering of apprenticeships and more recently ‘digital bootcamps’.”
Centre manager Hannah Hickman (right) with Sarah Noble, who runs its on-site café Sarah’s Kitchen
Innovation centre is thriving as new firms join
Mansfield Innovation Centre has welcomed four new companies to its thriving business community during the latest lockdown – and continues to receive a high level of enquiries. Like many other workplaces
across the region, the centre has adapted its working practices and implemented safety measures for its roster of more than 30 growing businesses due to Covid-19. Now, as the easing of restrictions
continues and major parts of the economy reopen, it is anticipating businesses to be keen on returning to the office environment. Centre manager Hannah Hickman
said: “Businesses are evolving to meet the demands of the times we are in, and new working practices such as remote and flexible working are becoming more commonplace
as the situation continues to unfold. “However, many of our
customers are keen to return to their offices as the latest lockdown starts to wind down, finding they are more productive when working as a team, and they miss the day- to-day collaboration with colleagues and other businesses.”
‘They miss the day- to-day collaboration with colleagues’
The centre, which is located in the town’s Oakham Business Park, remained available to key workers only during the first national lockdown, before reopening in July 2020. Its workspace has been
reconfigured to comply with the
latest Covid-secure guidelines and continues to offer flexible terms, including easy in and out access, hot desking, extra cleaning, and short-term licences to help ease the transition back to full-time working. Mansfield Innovation Centre‘s
innovation director David Smith also provides on-site business support to help tenants respond and adapt to the changing economic environment. Hannah added: “It’s testament to
the strength and resilience of local businesses that demand for our workspace remains high. “The fact we’ve recently
welcomed four new customers into the centre recently reflects just how crucial it is for businesses to be able to access high-quality workspace that gives them the capacity to innovate and grow.”
On-demand buses for new housing development
The Drummond Estate has re-appointed Leicester-based Go Travel Solutions to continue co-ordinating transport planning at the 4,250- home New Lubbesthorpe development. The three-year contract will see the
sustainable travel specialist develop and promote new public transport options. This includes the ArrivaClick on-demand bus
service, which enables residents to request a bus journey at the click of a button, as well as free access to travel offers via membership of LocalGo. Go Travel Solutions managing director Robin
From left: John Keenan and Robin Pointon of Go Travel Solutions, Paul Hickinbottom of Arriva, Martin Ward of The Drummond Estate, Louise Hryniw and John Richardson of Blaby District Council
6 business networkMay 2021
Pointon said: “Our work in New Lubbesthorpe focuses on the promotion and development of sustainable travel.” The company has fulfilled the role of travel
plan co-ordinator since 2018 and was asked to speak at the national Quality Bus Transit Conference in February due to the success of the
on-demand bus service. Robin added: “Working with the Drummond
Estate over the past three years has been based on close collaboration and partnership working. “More than anything else, it has been underpinned by shared values on wanting to help New Lubbesthorpe be a truly sustainable 21st century community.” Once completed, the New Lubbesthorpe
development will also feature a business park capable of creating 1,000 jobs, three schools, community centres and health facilities. Martin Ward, a spokesman for the Drummond
Estate, said: “New Lubbesthorpe is a sustainable new community and Go Travel Solutions has successfully helped to roll out initiatives which provide attractive and viable alternatives to using the car. We are keen to see its great work continue to ensure that this continues to be a pioneering development.”
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