Adam Marshall Executive Director of Policy & External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce gives his thoughts on the news last week on the labour market statistic and the A’level results.
Labour Market stats showed that there are 735k vacancies across the UK and many businesses, as they grow, are finding it increasingly difficult to find the skilled staff that they need. Manufacturing business are expressing a particular difficult time recruiting across all skill levels.
The A’level results did show a small uptake on subjects important to business but the trend is not strong enough to give the business community confidence to the future.
The Chamber campaign, nationally and locally, to bridge the gap between education and business has never been so vital if we are to close the skill gap restricting our local economy and support our young people on their journey into the work place.
Norfolk is celebrating another week ofpositive exam results with today’s GCSEs suggesting gains on last year’s results of more than two percentage points.
Of the 8,300 students who sat their GCSEs in Norfolk this summer, early results suggest that 54.8% of students achieved the gold standard of five A* to C grades, including English and maths – a provisional improvement of 2.1 percentage points on last year.
Today’s achievement follows on from record provisional A Level results last week and a significant two-year improvement in the proportion of schools in Norfolk judged to be good or outstanding by Ofsted. Twenty-two thousand more students now attend good or outstanding schools, compared with 2013.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber “We congratulate all our young people who have received their results today, those staying in full time education and those entering the world of work with training. Norfolk can provide enormous opportunities to our young people and they are the workforce of the future who will help us, over the coming years, drive the economy forward”
James Joyce, Chairman of the Children’s Services Committee at Norfolk County Council, said: “I would again like to congratulate the county’s teenagers and their teachers today, for the significant work that has gone into achieving these results.
“Brian Conway, Chair of Norfolk Secondary Education Leaders (NSEL), said: “On behalf of NSEL I would like to congratulate the young people and schools across Norfolk for their hard work and successes in these GCSE examinations. “The improvement of more than two percentage points achieving the gold standard is testament to collective hard work and the drive across Norfolk to improve outcomes”.
New research from BT, conducted jointly with the British Chambers of Commerce shows large numbers of small to medium-sized enterprises have invested in technologies that boost mobile working.
It is therefore more important than ever that Norfolk businesses are able to compete on a level playing field with the introduction of better broadband speeds and mobile signals across the county.
The study, based on interviews with more than 300 directors of smaller businesses, suggests the UK’s SME sector is embracing mobility more enthusiastically than ever before – and enjoying benefits such as improved productivity as a result.
More than nine in 10 of the businesses in the study say they now have at least one member of staff who works from home, either full-time or on a part-time basis, while almost a fifth of businesses said that more than half of their workforce is now working away from their main office location.
To facilitate this shift, many companies have implemented new technologies. Most significantly, the use of cloud computing by small businesses is up by 15 per cent compared to a year ago, BT said. Its research suggests 69 per cent of small companies are now using cloud computing platforms of one kind or another – more than half of these businesses say the cloud has proved critical to their ability to offer flexible and remote working.
However, many businesses are also turning to other technologies as well as cloud computing. Remote access to company data, wi-fi access when out of the office and fibre-optic broadband are all increasingly critical for businesses that promote remote working, the study shows. Wi-fi access, cited by 64 per cent of businesses, and remote access to data, cited by 56 per cent are particularly important, but 33 per cent also said fibre-optic broadband was a must.
More than two-thirds of the companies in the study said smartphone technology had generated more impact than any other innovation on their business over the past 12 months.
Many of the directors interviewed said their businesses were enjoying significant benefits from internet connectivity and mobile working. More than three-quarters pointed to the increase in the speed of communication their companies were now enjoying, while two-thirds said it connectivity had helped to improve customer service.
Dr Adam Marshall, executive director of policy and external affairs at the BCC, said investment in technology would also help the UK’s small businesses to compete on the international stage.
“Cloud and mobile technologies are becoming increasingly important as firms expand into new markets and explore new ways of working – especially overseas,” Dr Marshall said. “It is encouraging to see that so many British firms are adapting their working practices to take advantage of these developments.”
Danny Longbottom, the managing director of UK SME at BT Business, said the increased use of mobile technologies were at the heart of the “dramatic changes we are seeing within the UK SME market”.
It looks as if the funding gap which had been identified to get the NDR built is the the process of being resolved
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said “The NDR will bring significant economic benefits to Norwich and Norfolk and the news that a £30m funding gap is close to being closed is good news for local businesses
The increase of cost from £148.5m to £178m it is said was due to construction cost inflation and design changes
The council had hoped the Department for Transport would contribute £15m to plug the gap, while councillors were next month due to be asked, at an extraordinary meeting, to agree to match that with £15m from the authority’s transport budget.
However, a deal has been tentatively forged which would close the funding gap. The government has told the county council it is prepared to contribute £10m, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will consider putting up £10m, which would leave the council to find the final £10m.
The government has already pledged a £67.5m contribution, for the section from Postwick on the A47 to the A140 at Norwich International Airport. It has also given £19m for the Postwick Hub element of the project – with work well underway.
George Nobbs, leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “During the last few years, I have had many reasons to complain about the government, but I have no complaints today.
“If this deal does go ahead, then this will be a generous and far-sighted gesture by the Department for Transport and the Local Enterprise Partnership, of which I am a board member.
“The possible three way split between the council, the government and the LEP would be a model of co-operation for the benefit of all the people of Norfolk.”
Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP said: “This road will deliver more than £1bn in economic benefit for Norwich and the wider economy. It is critical in delivering thousands of jobs, new homes and driving the economic growth we need across our region. We have been talking to the Government and Norfolk County Council to see how we can support the additional funding needed to make sure it happens. As a result I will be asking our full board to commit £10m from the LEP’s future Growth Deal funding, when we next meet in early September.”
The council has said initial work on the road, which was given government permission in June, will start in October, with full blown construction work set to start in February or March next year, to be completed in 2017.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “DFT has considered Norfolk’s request for additional funding to help cover the cost increase and subject to assessing a final business case an additional £10m has been offered on an exceptional basis given the importance of the scheme to growth in the Norwich area.”
Yesterday’s ONS unemployment figures highlighted that unemployment across the UK rose by 25,000 and employment fell by 63,000, in comparison to the previous 3 months. However, here in Norfolk the trend is somewhat different. Over the last 3 months, those seeking Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Norfolk has continued to fall from 6,679 to 6,518.
As a whole, Norfolk’s 18 to 24 year olds claiming JSA saw a small reduction from 1,615 to 1,600, but Norwich’s 18 to 24 year olds claiming JSA increased from 635 to 645.
Commenting on Norfolk’s unemployment figures, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“Whilst it is positive news that overall Norfolk is bucking the national trend, the aim should be to get all of our young people either into employment, or undertaking further training. The business community will continue to support the developing the talent of Norfolk’s young people.”
Commenting on the Government’s latest announcement on apprenticeships, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:
“It is right that the Government is seeking to engage businesses and consult on the introduction of an apprenticeship levy to make sure this policy is properly thought-through.
“Apprenticeship schemes can play a part in meeting important ambitions to boost skills and drive-up productivity. But for apprenticeships to take hold and become established, the focus should be on quality – not hitting an arbitrary figure. The conveyor belt model is not what business wants to see.
“If the quality is there, the demand, from employers and potential apprentices, will follow.
“Our research shows that greater engagement with smaller businesses is needed to increase apprenticeship take-up. Government policy is currently too focused on major employers, but equal effort ought to be put on encouraging and supporting smaller businesses to offer apprenticeships.”
John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, was in Norwich this week to meet with the Norfolk Chamber team and have a lively debate with the Norfolk Chamber Board members.
Mr Longworth complimented Norfolk Chamber on its increase in members over the past twelve months and the work it is doing to support the British Chamber of Commerce’s key manifesto pledges. These included ‘Bridging the Gap between Education and Work’ ‘Promoting International Trade’ and ‘Reaching out to the Wider Business Community.’
John Longworth, a regular contributor to national media channels, gave his opinion on topics such as the EU, access to finance, alternative funding for infrastructure projects and the skills gap. Following his round table discussion at the Norfolk Chamber office, Mr Longworth was taken to meet Neil Garner, CEO of Proxama, and whilst visiting White Space had the opportunity to talk with James Dues, Chairman of Rainbird.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: “Introducing John to what Norfolk has to offer is part of our campaign to make Norfolk’s vibrant business community more visible. He was very impressed with what he heard and saw relating to the Norwich digital creative sector and left with a much clearer picture of what Norfolk and Norwich has to offer.”
Both Neil Garner, Proxama, and James Duez, Rainbird, are keynote speakers at the Norfolk Chamber’s forum event: THE FUTURE IS HERE Putting Technology to work in Norwich on 23 September.
Road users are advised that the A47 at Easton in Norfolk will be closed for overnight on Monday 24 August for essential surface repairs.
Work will take place between 8pm and 6am to carry out carriageway repairs on the Easton roundabout.
To allow traffic to be diverted on suitable roads during the work, the A47 will be closed between Swaffham and Longwater. A diversion will be clearly signposted via the A11, A134 and A1065 for westbound traffic, and via the A1065, A148, A1067 and A1074 for eastbound traffic. Access to local properties will be maintained at all times.
Highways England Project Manager Andrew Dyer said:
“Carrying out this work now will ensure smoother journeys for road users along the A47 in Norfolk.
“We have worked closely with Norfolk County Council to agree diversions and have planned this work at night to minimise disruption to road users.”
Motorists affected by this work are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for travel.
Norfolk Chamber is urging Norfolk and Suffolk’s successful women from every sector to show their support for women in business by celebrating their achievements at one of the country’s longest running awards ceremonies.
Now in their 33rd year, the annual Women of the Year Awards highlight and celebrate women’s successes in business and society, promoting role models and inspiring women to reach their potential.
Now, with nominations for the Businesswoman of the Year still open, the event’s supporters are urging Britain’s leading female executives and entrepreneurs to encourage others by putting themselves forward or nominating colleagues whose achievements deserve greater notice.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: “As we work to inspire our young people it is more important than ever that our women leaders and their achievements are more visible.
“If you are a business leader, who happens to be a woman with a story to tell or work with somebody that answers that description, we urge you to step forward and be seen. All it requires is an email.”
Apprentice star Karren Brady, a former winner, also lent her voice to the call: “The Woman of the Year awards are an important opportunity to celebrate the many examples of women who are wonderful business role-models. It is critical that women in senior positions who are creating and leading businesses are recognised – not only for their own efforts and achievements but also to inspire future generations.
“The only way more women are going to be in the boardrooms of the future are if there are a wide range of role-models now who lead by example. Awards like Woman of the Year provide a perfect showcase and as a former winner myself, I can testify personally the positive experience it provides. I would urge women to put themselves forward and enter this year’s awards.”
The event has earned the support of a wide range of business organisations including the Engineering Employers Federation and the Royal Aeronautical Society, and participation can have a hugely positive impact on both the nominees’ business profiles and their bottom line.
“On a very practical level, there’s no doubt that even being nominated for an award can contribute directly to your bottom line. It boosts your business profile as a whole and lends credibility, attracting new opportunities within a wider market,” says 2011 Businesswoman of the Year winner Julie White, Managing Director of D-Drill.
“I was initially reluctant to put myself forward, but winning has had a huge impact and since then I’ve received a lot of media attention, appearing on a range of shows from the Daily Politics to Question Time. It’s taken me to places I thought I’d never see, and has given me a platform to both raise the profile of my industry and discuss the issues affecting it.”
Closing date for nominations is September 11, 2015.
The 2015 winner will be announced exclusively at the Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards ceremony on Friday, October 9 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole near the NEC. The Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards attracts several hundred high-profile guests which have in the past included Lord Digby Jones, Dragon’s Den panelist Hilary Devey, and guest speaker Britain’s double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes MBE.
There will be plenty of time to network at the 33rd successive year of the eagerly-anticipated awards when funds will once again be raised for two official charities and there will also be an opportunity to shop in a select number of boutique stores. All finalists will be invited to attend the Luncheon and Awards as the guests of the Awards Chair.
Tomorrow’s People is dedicated to helping disadvantaged adults and young people find and retain employment, with a focus on improving the long-term work prospects of those who face the greatest barriers to work. The charity’s vision is to break the cycle of unemployment and dependency in deprived communities throughout the UK, transforming lives by ‘re-skilling’ the long-term unemployed.
Revitalise
Revitalise is a national charity providing essential services for the disabled, visually impaired and their carers. The charity runs three centres nationwide, offering short-breaks with 24-hour care and personal support in relaxed surroundings.
Andrew Wright, CEO of UK Colombia Trade, will visit the United Kingdom along with the President of Colombia’s National Hydrocarbons Agency and the President of the Colombian Oil Association the week of 7-11th September 2015 to build bilateral ties and strengthen the supply chain relationship with Colombian companies to develop the budding offshore industry.
British companies have historically played a significant role in the development of Colombia’s oil and gas industry and in the light of recent offshore finds, there exists another opportunity for the UK to support Colombia in the development of a new, dynamic offshore market to complement falling onshore reserves. In the 1980s, BP developed the prolific Coveñas field and today Shell holds a large acreage of offshore blocks. UK Colombia Trade aims to promote and assist not only Operators, but also the entrance of British service and supply chain firms into the Colombian hydrocarbons market, particularly in the area of offshore and subsea services including seismic, environmental studies, HSEQ, subsea, FEED and workover.
Looking towards the future, the Colombian Caribbean represents an opportunity to create new jobs, technical training and to establish a hub for oil & gas services providing knowledge and expertise to other emerging countries in the region.
Andrew Wright, CEO of UK Colombia Trade comments: “The Orca-1 discovery opened our minds about the realistic size of opportunity for specialist UK firms in Offshore exploration and services, but with the latest Kronos find it is now clear that Colombia could host the next Latin America Offshore boom and should be on the radar of British companies already looking at Brazil and Mexico. Colombia is currently ranked by the World Bank as Number 1 in terms of Ease of Doing Business in Latin America, so we encourage British companies to take advantage of this exciting development.”
The Colombian delegation will attend a Colombia Export Showcase event at the Energy Industry Council premises on Monday 7th, followed by an active commercial and technical agenda at Offshore Europe 2015 in Aberdeen from 8th-11th September. This visit follows a delegation of British companies that already visited Colombia as part of an Energy Industry Council trade delegation to build commercial ties with Colombia and UK Colombia Trade will be hosting a further visit of UK firms to Colombia in October 2015, led by the trade body NOF Energy.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: “Our links with the Chamber Global Network gives real competitive advantage to business who want to start or increase their businesses overseas. If Columbia is of interest to you please do contact Julie Austin julie.austin@norfolkchamber.co.uk our Norfolk Chamber International Trade Manager”
There is competition to run the trains between Norwich and London with National Express and FirstGroup wanting to take over the services from Abellio, who hope to continue the franchise under a new tie-up with Stagecoach.
What is important to Norfolk’s business community, however, is the service which will be delivered under the new franchise from October 2016. This includes faster trains, more reliable services and better timetabling – so trains can travel between Norwich and London in 90 minutes.
Jonathan Cage Vice President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has met with each of the parties and has made it clear to them the service what passengers expect and need from a modern railway.
Mark Pendlington chairman of New Anglia LEP and MP Chloe Smith joint chairmen of the Great Eastern Main Line Taskforce, which includes Norfolk Chamber, are meeting senior representatives from the companies today.
Mr Pendlington said” We will be driving home to each of the bidders the importance of achieving our goals and delivering on the key recommendations from our campaign. This is so much more than business as usual, it about fresh ideas and innovative thinking and about transforming the Great Eastern main Line into the 21st century service that passengers need and deserve. “
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said “An efficient rail service is a key priority for Norfolk members and essential if we are to build on the reputation of Norfolk as a top business location. We all need to work together to ensure that the new franchise gives us the quality of rail service we need now and as importantly in the future.”
Construction work on the £19m Postwick junction, at the eastern end of the A47 Southern bypass, started in May last year. Earlier this summer, the road was shut while beams for the new bridge over the A47 were hoisted into place.
A council spokeswoman said: “The new Postwick junction is expected to be open to traffic in November. However, it won’t be open in its entirety until the beginning of December as final works to the existing bridge need to take place.”
The council says the junction will release land for 1,600 homes and unlock some £80m of private investment, potentially paving the way for 5,000 jobs. But protestors criticised it as an over-engineered gateway to the controversial Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
Drivers will face some disruption as last night saw the start of overnight closures on the A47. They are full closures both east and west to ensure safety and traffic is having to use the slip roads.
And the A1042 Yarmouth Road will need to shut next month, so surfacing of the junction, white lining and installation of loops for the new traffic signals can be carried out.
Weekend closures will take place from 8pm on Saturday, September 19 until 6am on Monday, September 21 and between the same times on Saturday, September 26 until Monday, September 28.
There will also be a series of weekday overnight closures, from 8pm to 6am from Monday, September 21 until Friday, September 25 and between the same times from Monday, September 28 until Friday, October 2.
The council says the closures have been planned for the weekend and overnight in an attempt to minimise disruption to the travelling public and to the Postwick Park and Ride site.