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Business Argus

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

In brief...
Networking for women
CAERPHILLY Business Forum has launched a womens networking group in partnership with Caerphillys Rural Development Programme. The launch took place at Glenside Commercial and saw dozens of women across the region gather to network, share ideas and best practice on a range of topics and issues of relevance including work/life balance, business and personal development. The group will meet every six to eight weeks and is open to women in business across the region. For information about the event log on to www. cbforum.co.uk/womensnetwork-launch

Apprentices win gold in national skills contest

SOUTH Wales electrical engineering apprentices Alex Scott and Luke Elsmore struck gold in the finals of the WorldSkills UK National Competitions. The two, apprentices at Newport-based controls systems firm IAC, each won gold after battling it out against some of the UKs most talented apprentices and learners. Alex Scott, 20, a fourth year apprentice, from Newport, and Luke Elsmore, 19, a third year apprentice, from Blackwood, represented IAC competing in the industrial control section at The Skills Show at the NEC Birmingham. The pair used Siemens PLC and Festo Products equipment to take part in the competition. Alex, a former pupil at Lliswerry High School, and Luke, who attended Blackwood School, both also study at the University of South Wales in Newport and with Newport and District Group Training Association (NDGTA) as part of their apprenticeship training at IAC. Peter Lewis, managing director of IAC, which is based at Queensway Meadows, said: Alex and Luke are exceptionally talented apprentices and were thrilled that they both lifted gold at Worldskills UK. We were certain that they would do very well in this prestigious and highly regarded

Awards open

THE Federation of Small Businesses and WorldPay have launched the national Small Business Awards. The FSB WorldPay UK Business Awards are designed to raise the profile of small businesses across the UK and to highlight the crucial role they play in supporting the economy . There are four categories: Business Innovation, Young Entrepreneur, Micro Business and Online Business. One entrant within each group will be named as the overall category winner. Each of the four category winners will receive a prize fund of 4,500, plus a half-day marketing workshop. One business will also be selected as the overall winner of the FSB WorldPay UK Business of the Year Award. The overall winner will receive an additional prize fund of 5,000, provided by WorldPay and FSB. For more information, and to enter the awards, visit www.fsbworldpayawards.co.uk Closing date for entries is January 31.

Switched on: Electrical engineering apprentices Luke Elsmore (left) and Alex Scott, of Gwent systems control rm IAC, struck gold at Worldskills UK. Inset: Luke and Alex with their gold awards competition and our confidence has been rewarded with them each securing gold. Mr Lewis said IAC, a multiaward winning global controls systems company, are committed to supporting apprenticeships. The established Newport firm currently has eight apprentices in its workforce and take on two a year. Alex and Luke competed over three days at The Skills Show against aspiring industrial control apprentice engineers from all over the UK. During the competition the pair had to complete a number of specific and intricate tasks. Jaine Bolton, chief operating officer, National Apprenticeship Service, said: I offer my congratulations to Alex and Luke, They have demonstrated their skill to the highest level. Entering WorldSkills UK Competitions really does have a tremendous effect on competitors and their employers alike. Past winners have gone on to secure promotions, launch their own businesses and represent their country in their chosen skill. We really want to see more people entering competitions to prove to the whole of the UK just how many talented people we have in this country .

New car vinyl company moves to industrial unit

VEHICLE vinyl wrapping company South Wales Autowrap has leased an industrial unit at Estuary Court in Newport. The new company, which will provide vinyl mapping and graphics for cars and vans, has leased the 1400 sq ft Unit 19 at an annual rental of 9,000 from landlord Storage Giant Limited. Richie Palmer, of South Wales Autowrap, said: We chose Estuary Court for its excellent location and clean, modern premises. We plan to open our new business there just after Christmas. Storage Giant was represented by letting agents Parrys Commercial and Knight Frank. Alex Riddell, of Parrys, said: These units were built in 2008 and comprise 20 units ranging in size from 665 sq ft,

Valleys grants scheme will see more than 10m invested in area
A GRANTS scheme set up to help regenerate the South Wales Valleys has seen more than 4m invested in community projects over the past three years, with a further 6m of awards in the pipeline. The South East Wales community economic development programme has supported 88 social enterprises since it was established in 2010, creating 83 jobs and 15 new groups across the region. Delivered in partnership by a local authorities consortium of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff, the 13.5m programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. Torfaen projects which have attracted

Wales base

A LEADING UK cancer charity has set up its first Wales headquarters to cover the whole country . Prostate Cancer UK has its new Wales centre at The Maltings in Cardiff. The Maltings is a privately-owned mix of serviced, owner-managed offices and storage space contained in a Grade II Listed former 19th century malt house, which has emerged from a 3m investment and was recently recognised with a RICS award for building conservation.

Estuary Court, Newport up to 5,650 sq ft. Current occupiers include Thrifty Car Rental, Clark Foods, the BBC, Gwent VW Audi, and Europcar. Rebecca Robert, of Knight Frank, said: Estuary Court is directly adjacent to the Newport Retail Park and the main entrance of the Glan Llyn mixed use development so its a high-profile location for a warehouse and trade counter development. We are confident the estate will soon be fully let.

funding include: Fighting Fit Torfaen, a fitness centre and registered charity in Griffithstown; Blaen Bran Woodland Services, the trading arm, carrying out a woodland management plan and developing sustainable income streams; Torfaen & Blaenau Gwent Mind, a mental health charity; Able Radio; Gateway Credit Union, and Garnsychan Partnership, which is dedicated to social, environmental and economic regeneration. In Blaenau Gwent projects which have been helped include: Blaenau Gwent Care and Repair, which helps older and disabled people live independently in their own homes; Kidz R Us Ltd; and Ty Ebbw Fach, a social enterprise set up by Six Bells Regeneration Ltd.

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