Email News May 2009
Foreword
Welcome to the August issue of email news. This month's issue looks at a range of important issues for marine businesses. It includes details of the new CWEB system, an online database that can be used for free by companies wishing to recruit staff as well as people seeking new employment. We also have updates on development projects such as Hythe Marine Park and Southampton Port. Read on to find out more...
Posted 2009-04-01 08:51:18
South East companies win through at Training Awards Ceremony
Two South East companies saw success at the British Marine Federation’s recent Training Awards which took place at the organisation’s AGM at the end of March.
The Company Training and Development Award went to Berthon Boat Company, based in Lymington. The company trains apprentices in all aspects of marine engineering, ensuring that appropriate marine skills are maintained and developed for the future. Half of their current workforce has completed an apprenticeship and the company has strong links with local schools and colleges.
Keith Longman, Yard Manager at Berthon Boat Company Ltd added: "I was delighted to accept the 2009 BMF Large Company Learning and Development Award on behalf of Berthon. The Directors' commitment in terms of time and resources for training apprentices ensures that we maintain and enhance our skills base for the future needs of the company. Proactively engaging with local schools and colleges, including through inviting them to come and visit us, is changing attitudes and creating excitement about the Marine Industry and what it has to offer."
Gosport-based Boatshed.com came third in this category, reflecting the broad base of skills in the South East region.
The Company Training Award went to Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School, based in Bisham near Marlow for its continuous commitment to the training of its staff. The award recognises the company's achievements through training courses to ensure its employees are fully up to date with the latest developments in the boating industry.
Roy May who received the Company Training award on behalf of the Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School said: "As a training based company, training is naturally very important to us. We have introduced this company policy to our internal staff and it has resulted in an improved quality and effectiveness for our clients."
The annual awards aim to spread best practice amongst marine businesses to aid business development and enable more individuals to benefit from training and progress their careers. The awards recognise both marine businesses and individuals that demonstrate outstanding business and personal success through investment in training over the past year. The winners received a trophy and £500.
If you would like to find out more email sdhanda@britishmarine.co.uk
Posted 2009-05-01 10:43:18
Basic SolidWorks Training for marine companies next month
Southampton Solent University has been running internationally renowned product and yacht and power craft design degree courses for many years. Recent discussions with Marine South East have led to the roll out of a series of Solidworks orientated courses tailored to the needs of the design and marine industries.
The first course is a five day course using the basics of Solidworks and its application within the marine industry. This will run from 22nd to 26th June 2009 subject to having sufficient numbers. The cost will be £325 +VAT, though Marine Southeast is offering a 60% subsidy to companies working in the marine industry.
Also, advanced short courses will be offered as the numbers grow, with the potential to run a year long accredited SolidWorks program in the future. The qualifications would be the SolidWorks online exam and the University's own HE accreditation. This would then continue to a 2nd year intermediate level and then to a 3rd year more advanced level.
There is no costing on this second set of courses as yet but the University would appreciate suggestion and feed back as to your thoughts on having such a course with a qualification at the end of it.
If you would like to book a place for the initial short course, numbers are limited, please contact Neil Shorter on 02380319862 or ft.admissions@solent.ac.uk.
Posted 2009-04-01 08:36:39
Kent Marine Skills Festival, 9th october 2009
The Education Business Partnership (EBP) has joined forces with Kent County Council to host the 2009 Kent Marine Skills Festival at the Dover Cruise Terminal.
Hot on the heels of the incredibly successful 2008 Kent Marine Skills Festival, which attracted over 1500 young people from 30 schools in Kent and was backed by 70 companies and organisations, this year's event also promises to provide an explosion of information on marine skills, training and career opportunities.
The 2009 festival promises to be bigger and better than last years with more interactive displays than ever before and exhibition space for late entries extremely limited.
This year there will also be an opportunity for adults who are not in employment, education or training to attend after 3.30 pm as a result of the festival's engagement with Job Centre Plus.
During the day the Festival will focus on engaging with students from Kent schools and colleges through practical, hands-on activity showcasing the vast array of skills and training available.
All who attend will be treated to tours of ships, practical engineering, navigational challenges, and a look at the vital role HM Coastguards play. This specialised event will address frequently asked questions such as, how are ships, including cruise ships, built? What skills are required? How can I train for that role? Are careers available in the Merchant Navy and ancillary industries?
The overarching aim of the 2009 Kent Maine Skills Festival is to help spark an interest in and a zest for the marine sector. Emphasis is also placed on encouraging students towards further education as well as ultimately creating a new generation of maritime specialists employed in the UK.
Anne McNulty, Executive Director EBP Kent, said;
"We are so grateful to the marine sector and the dedicated Dover Partnership working collaboratively to make a difference to the young people of this county.
"The maritime industry leads to such exciting diverse areas of employment for young people, it is very important they have the chance to fully understand the potential locally, regionally and in the global market."
Companies interested in participating should contact Jen Smith at the Education Business Partnership Kent on 01843 609649 or e-mail jen.smith@ebpkent.co.uk.
Posted 2009-05-01 09:54:56
Marine Industries Leadership Council update
MILC, the Marine Industries Leadership Council held a workshop at the Government Department for business, BERR, last month to consider the business case for a marine industry strategy.
There was general agreement that such a strategy would provide a focal point for what is a very diverse industry with government and the regions and also enhance activities associated with innovation, regulatory issues, export support, skills and the supply chain.
However, it was acknowledged that the biggest barriers to be overcome were ones of resource and the diversity of the sector. On resource it was agreed that it will be as much for industry as government to address.
Also during March the MILC Innovation and Technology Group met at SMI under the chairmanship of John Murray. The group focussed on the development of a marine innovation strategy and was joined by UK NEST (Naval Engineering Science and Technology) who had agreed to join forces in working towards this objective. Clearly such work cannot be completed until the industrial strategy is known but a start has at least been made.
The Technology Strategy Board has been reviewing the mix of Knowledge Transfer Networks and is currently working towards the idea of setting up a Transport KTN. The MILC ITG is involved in this process and will ensure that the marine sector is well represented.
For more information email info@maritimeindustries.org
Posted 2009-05-01 10:12:07
Solar-powered boat makes a sunny debut
A solar-powered boat designed and built by postgraduate students led by Dr Peter Wilson of School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) is on its way to the United States, the first UK entrant in the annual Solar Splash championship.
After a successful launch on Friday 17 April, Tarka went through her paces on the Itchen River, demonstrating speed and manoeuvrability at the hands of Skipper, Dirk De Jager. The University of Southampton team, largely drawn from the ECS, have been working hard on Tarka's design and technology over the last few months, capitalising on ECS's track record in the development of solar cells and electronics.
Solar Splash, the World Championship of Intercollegiate Solar Boating, takes place in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from 27 to 31 May 2009. Tarka is the first boat from the UK to take part, and Dr Wilson, who is a Visiting Professor at the University of Arkansas, as well as a Senior Lecturer in the Electronic Systems and Devices Group in ECS, is confident that she will perform well, despite the short timeframe for planning and design and build.
'It's been a huge achievement to get the boat ready,' he said, 'and Friday's trials showed that it not only has speed, but it has great manoeuvrability, so it should do particularly well in the slalom part of the competition.
'This is the first time that we've done a project of this scale. It allows students to think outside the box when it comes to applications for solar cells. We hope this can be a showcase for technology and the skills here at Southampton on a global scale.'
Solar Splash takes place over five days, with different water-based competitions testing speed, manoeuvrability and endurance. The Team Tarka members going to Arkansas are Dirk De Jager, Rich Bowen, Karim El-Shabrawy and Dr Wilson.
The team are still looking for sponsors to assist with the travel costs, and final build costs.
Dr Wilson talked about how businesses could benefit from involvement in the project: "At the University of Southampton we work closely with industry, making our projects relevant and ensuring our students learn extensive practical and team-working skills as an integral part of their studies.
An excellent way to achieve this is to involve companies in projects and research, and the solar electric boat is a prime example of this. In addition to the involvement of students, companies gain exposure and raise awareness for key issues and also showcases technical excellence, for people and technology."
If you feel that you would like to contribute financially to the project, even in a small way, then please contact Dr Wilson by email prw@ecs.soton.ac.uk or call 023 8059 4162. All contributions will go directly and only to the solar boat project.
To find out more go to http://tarka.ecs.soton.ac.uk/
Posted 2009-05-01 10:20:55
Solidworks course already proving a success
A training venture between Marine South East (CAD Training Pool) and Southampton City College (Marine RRC) is already proving a success with the first of a three part training course now completed.
Students have now completed the first part of the programme which was a three day unit looking at the essentials of SolidWorks. This will be followed in the next few weeks by a two day intermediate and then a single day looking at Photoworks.
The course was fully booked and the second and third sessions are also already full. The training takes place at St. Mary’s Stadium, a novel, exciting and well equipped training facility centrally located in Southampton, it has proven a popular central location for all the delegates.
Participants were from Solent companies involved in a wide range of marine manufacturing and re-fitting, comments they made following the course included: “Great course, friendly atmosphere and conducive to good teaching and learning techniques and practices. I look forward to returning for the second part” and “a very good course, right level, right speed and right content.”
Although attendees have said that the new software being taught won’t allow them to give up paper and pencil methods immediately, it was a good introduction to the tools available with these new programmes.
If you think you could benefit from this course, more are planned for June, July and September. We can accommodate Auto-Cad, Inventor, SolidWorks, CATIA and ProgeCAD, with each course guaranteeing a maximum of six delegates in order to maintain a very low tutor/student ratio. If you want to book on a course please contact the RRC via their website at http://www.marinerrc.co.uk Forthcoming course dates are June: 15/16/17 Auto-CAD01; June 18/19 Auto-CAD02; June 22/23 Auto-CAD03; July 8/9/10 SolidWorks Essentials; July 28/29 SolidWorks Intermediate; July 30/31 SolidWorks Photoworks.
Posted 2009-05-01 10:27:34
Train to Gain would like to invest in your business
If you are a company director, senior decision maker or business owner and your business is in the South East with 5-250 staff, up to £1000.00 funding is available from Train to Gain.
Every company's management team has areas of expertise as well as gaps in their business knowledge, experience and skill set. The programme is flexible and attendees are free to attend one or all of eight workshops.
The workshops will be coaching and mentoring across the following four topic areas. There will be two different workshops for each topic. Each business workshop will be limited to no more than four attendees and costs £250 + VAT per person. Two workshops can be fully funded via Train to Gain. A further £500 will be match funded when you book additional sessions.
The four key areas are:
Leadership in a Changing World
This session is a 'stand alone' learning opportunity where we will be sharing the core principles for successful and essential leadership at a challenging time for UK economy. This session also acts as a robust platform from which you could choose to embark upon the more comprehensive Global Leadership Programme with Portsmouth University (more info via create.admissions@port.ac.uk).
Business Survival - 'Tighten the ship, romance the bankers, flatten the pyramid and learn to dance'
Don't bury your head! This session offers business survival techniques and strategies for difficult economic times. Running a tight ship is vital when margins are under pressure but which costs to cut?. Most senior management under the age of 40 are unlikely to have managed at top level during a recession so get some ideas on the basic toolkit of survival or treat this as a refresher. Communication to all your stakeholders is key but in what tone of voice and how much information to impart.
Innovative Marketing
What is the value of effective marketing? It needn't cost a fortune! In these challenging times, how can we ensure that we are getting the best value from our marketing strategy? These workshops will explore what is an effective strategic marketing plan and how can we measure success as well as the vital role marketing plays in business.
Coaching workshop - Know what you want. Get what you want
Coaching, recognised by major corporations as a highly effective tool for developing excellence, is a form of gap analysis, the gap between what you have and what you want. It is about identifying interfering factors and limiting beliefs, then going on to remove these and replace them with what is useful.
Dates for workshops as well as the specific content for each will be available via email. If you are keen to participate and take advantage of this fully funded opportunity to develop, please contact Elly Fox 02392 793400.
If you choose to complete all four topics (eight sessions), the total amount payable will be £2000.00 + VAT. Subject to conditions, you may receive a financial contribution from Train to Gain of £1000.00*.
The workshops are open to senior decision makers of local businesses to attend at our training facilities in Guildhall Walk, Central Portsmouth. Numbers will be limited to four attendees at each session to ensure a good understanding of each business and sufficient time for interaction. There will be more dates published based on demand for each topic area.
Alternatively, if you prefer to tailor the coaching more specifically to your business, we will bring the coaching to your premises. If you have two-five management individuals across the business we will deliver to your group at a time convenient to you. There is no additional cost.
To check availability, book your place or arrange a bespoke session for your management team at your business premises, please contact Sam Chapman or Elly Fox at Stafford Rhodes Group on 02392 793400 or email sam@staffordrhodes.com.
Posted 2009-05-01 10:48:09
Amazing people award nominations due by 8th May
Solent Skill Quest in partnership with Southampton and Hampshire Local Authorities and community/business sponsors, are hosting the 2009 “Amazing People” Awards for Excellence.
The awards evening is a celebration of the time and commitment businesses, schools, colleges and other partners invest in developing innovative programmes that support young peoples' preparation for adult life and work.
"Amazing People" also celebrates the remarkable achievements of the young people themselves, who have participated in a wide range of programmes including work experience, work related learning, enterprise education or other activities involving employers.
You are invited to nominate "amazing people" in your business to receive an award. All nominations for each category will be shortlisted by a group of independent judges led by the Solent Skill Quest Board Chair. The closing date for nominations is Friday 8th May 2009.
AWARD CATEGORIES
- Amazing people involved in adopt a school or college - the business, school and/or college partnership that has embraced the "Adopt a School or College" principles, is working in a sustainable and mutually beneficial way and has developed a rich programme of opportunities for students
- Amazing people involved in developing the curriculum with local businesses - the business, school and/or college that has contributed to developing the curriculum, involving the business context and providing rich experiences for young people.
- Amazing people involved in work related learning - the business, school, college or training provider that has been involved in providing a stimulating programme of Work related learning that develops the employability skills of young people
- Amazing people involved in work experience - the business, school, college, teacher and/or student/s involved in an exceptional work experience programme
Amazing people involved in enterprise - the business, school, college or student/s involved in a stimulating and innovative programme of enterprise education
- Amazing people involved in volunteering - the business, school, college or students involved in an amazing volunteering programme, e.g. E.mentoring, mentoring, peer mentoring, student tutoring, literacy and numeracy projects
- Amazing people involved in stemit (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and IT) - the business, school, college or students involved in projects that encourage students to pursue science, technology, engineering, mathematics and IT HE qualifications and careers
- Business hall of fame - Awarded to Amazing business ambassadors who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their support for schools, colleges and students
- Lifetime achievement - Awarded to an Amazing Person from business or education who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to education business partnership work Award Ceremony to be held at
The award ceremony will be held at The Harbour Lights, Ocean Village, Southampton on Tuesday, 14th July 2009
For a nomination form please email gill.rutherford@solentskillquest.co.uk or call 023 8072 5725.
Posted 2009-05-01 10:37:57
CAD CAM for the Marine industry MareNet event, Wednesday 3rd June 2009
Venue: Southampton City College Maritime Technology Centre, Woolston
The June MareNet event will be highlighting the benefits of using CAD and CAM for marine companies of all sizes involved in design, manufacture or as part of the marine supply chain.
The event will provide invaluable information on the different types of CAD programmes, the training requirements and funding schemes as well as a marine case study demonstrating the benefits CAD can bring to a marine business.
In addition to the presentations there will be an opportunity for a short tour of the Maritime Technology Centre and a chance to find out about the centre's programme of marine specific courses.
Presenters at this event will include:
- Draughtmark Ltd: giving an overview of using CAD in a marine business and highlighting the benefits of streamlining the design and production process via a CAD system
- Steve Gledhill, Skills4Technology, PERA: representing Skills for Technology
- Kenneth Cast, Southampton City College Marine Skills Manager: presenting a flavour of the marine specific courses available from Southampton City College and the Marine Regional Resource Centre with an emphasis on CAD/CAM.
- David Rea, Marine South East , CAD Training Pool Initiative Manager: giving information on the grant funded CAD/CAM training.
- Stella Arch Msc, Trimline Ltd, CAD Manager: Case Study of CAD Training and use for designing marine interiors.
Registration for the event will begin at 3.30pm with a tour of the Maritime Technology Centre from 3.45-4.15pm and presentations starting at 4.30pm. The event will conclude with a networking buffet at 6.00pm.
MareNet events are free to attend but please be courteous and give us 48 hours notice of cancellation. To register for this event please log onto http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/marenet Tel: 02380 111590 or email
admin@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2009-05-01 11:14:22
The Skills and Employment Challenge - a business & education leaders’ conference, 3 July 2009
Venue: Southampton City Cruise Terminal
The conference aims to develop a shared understanding of the skills and employment challenge across the City region and will communicate some of the strategies currently being developed.
The conference will also demystify the 14-19 reform to enable business and education practitioners to better understand its principles and the preparation young people need to be "recession proof" and ready to make their contribution in the economic upturn.
Solent Skill Quest is presenting this conference and it will include keynote speeches from Rt Hon John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities & Skills and MP for Southampton Itchen and Chris Humphries CBE, Chief Executive, UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
To find out more email gill.rutherford@solentskillquest.co.uk or call Solent Skill Quest on 023 8072 5725.
Posted 2009-05-01 09:58:11
British Science Festival, 5-10 September 2009
Venue: Surrey
The British Science Festival is Europe's largest science festival, with over 150 events and 350 scientists, social scientists, engineers and commentators taking part.
Each year, thousands of people attend the Festival including hundreds of journalists from regional, national and international press. The Festival regularly generates significant national and international media coverage through radio, television broadcasts, newspapers, magazines and the web.
Does your company have something exciting to show the world?
As part of the 2009 Festival SEEDA is sponsoring a business showcase event where innovative regional companies can highlight their scientific, engineering or technological innovations to a broad audience including young people - the potential workforce of tomorrow.
We would particularly welcome interactive displays that will engage and excite visitors to the Festival, presenting the innovation, business excellence and opportunities which science, engineering and technology can offer.
Companies that participate may also have the opportunity to attend Festival networking events and tell the world about their scientific achievements through press conferences, press releases and articles in the Festival magazine, 'Ignite'.
If you are interested in getting involved please contact Avril Brohier at SEEDA on 01483 501366 or email avrilbrohier@seeda.co.uk for further details.
Posted 2009-05-01 10:05:31
South East Schools Challenge gearing up for race day, Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Venue: JB Waterski, Chertsey Surrey
Schools Marine Challenge brings marine engineering skills to life and clearly demonstrates the application of theory in a fun and competitive environment for children aged 14-19. The event is organised by the British Marine Federation, and aims to raise the profile of marine engineering in schools as well as potential career opportunities in the marine sector.
Importantly, Schools Marine Challenge is integrated into the BTEC Vocational 1st Diploma Engineering, and students learn skills in design, project management, engineering and boat building. As students put the final touches on their 2009 entries, judges will determine on race day the overall winner as well as solar, electric and bio-fuel category winners. There will also be prizes for innovation and teamwork.
This popular event also helps to link schools and industry, and would not be the success it is today without the continued support of the marine business community. Businesses can come along on race day to see how their company can make a difference and support the schools involved.
If you or your colleagues would like to attend a race day or are interested in donating or sponsoring a prize, please contact Deidre Williams at dwilliams@britishmarine.co.uk or 01784 223630.
