MEMBER NEWS
Amazon to bring jobs boost to the East Midlands
Amazon will create 700 jobs in the East Midlands after announcing the opening of its fifth large warehouse in the region – as it also unveiled plans to help plug skills gaps in an innovative partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The e-commerce giant will take its total permanent
headcount in the region to 3,400 when it opens the 500,000 sq ft fulfilment centre in Hinckley this summer, adding to existing sites in Chesterfield, Coalville, Kegworth and Sutton-in-Ashfield. It was included in a wider announcement that the
company will create more than 10,000 permanent jobs across the UK by the end of 2021, taking its national workforce to 55,000 – with pay for operations roles in fulfilment centres starting at £9.70 per hour. East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott
Knowles said the Amazon was “fast growing into one of the biggest and most important employers in our region”, adding: “It’s therefore crucial for our region in particular, due to our central location nationally and reputation as a place where goods are made and moved, to embrace the logistics industry as an important part of our present and future economy.” Meanwhile, Amazon announced it will invest £10m
over three years to train up to 5,000 employees in new skills. This training will be offered through the company’s
Career Choice programme, where it pays 95% of course fees – up to £8,000 over four years – for its staff who
have expressed an interest in pursuing a career outside of the firm. It believes this will boost the skills and employability of British workers, with available courses including accountancy, HGV driving and software development. By linking up with the BCC, accredited chambers of
commerce such as East Midlands Chamber will have the opportunity to work with Amazon to identify regional skills shortages and ensure training is focused on local needs. The company will provide classroom-based
learning through Amazon Career Choice, as well as exploring opportunities with the BCC network to provide practical work experience and mentoring in employees’ chosen future professions. Shevaun Haviland, director-general of the
BCC, said: “This is a great initiative that will not only help Amazon but also provide a much wider benefit to the community, while showcasing how business can be a force for good.” Amazon’s UK country manager John Boumphrey added: “We’re delighted to be working with the British Chambers of Commerce on a pioneering approach to our Career Choice programme to provide the training, and skilled workers, needed to boost local economies right across the country.”
University joins Singapore alliance
The University of Nottingham has joined the UK-Singapore Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (UKSAEI) – the first alliance of its kind to accelerate collaborations in entrepreneurship and innovation between the two countries. Launched in April, it brings
together 11 universities from the UK, and five from Singapore, to share knowledge and facilitate collaboration in commercialisation and innovation. Professor of materials
chemistry and pro-vice- chancellor for global engagement Robert Mokaya is leading the project at the University of Nottingham. He said: “I am pleased that,
as a founding member and with the support of both the UK and Singapore governments, the University of Nottingham is able to bring these great universities together in such an alliance.”
4 business network June 2021
IT firm rolls out testing scheme
Derby IT company Neuways is supporting its employees as they return to the office by enrolling on the NHS Covid-19 testing scheme. The Government-backed
programme allows employers to order large quantities of lateral flow testing kits for their employees to use. By encouraging staff to regularly
take lateral flow tests, Neuways has been able to safely increase the number of employees working together in its Chellaston office.
‘We will be looking to continue a flexible, hybrid approach to working’
Managing director Martin Roberts said: “The availability of Covid-19 lateral flow tests to businesses is the best way we can protect our staff as we return to the office. “While the technology to work
remotely has been fantastic over the past year, and we will be looking to continue a flexible, hybrid approach to working going forward, to have the ability and capacity to return to the office will be a real strength for us as a business and our customers.”
Lateral flow tests will enable Neuways staff to safely return to its Chellaston office
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