Marine businesses encouraged to make use of Solent Solent talent pool for freelance projects

Southampton Solent University has set up a new initiave called Solent Creatives to offer businesses in the region a register of their brightest talents which students can offer on a freelance basis at much reduced costs.

Renowned for its specialist degrees that support the media sector, Southampton Solent's acclaimed faculty of media, arts and society are now offering employers an opportunity to access to its expertise via a talent pool of students able to provide their skills on an ad hoc basis to industry

With increasing number of people now working in the media sector on a self employed, short-term contract or contract-by-contract basis, Solent Southampton University is encouraging entrepreneurship amongst its students. Providing their talent pool of students with an opportunity to gain business experience in their chosen profession.

Businesses, large or small, from any industry sector, get access to skilled enthusiastic students with leading edge media expertise and skills in the latest media tools and techniques, whether you want help knocking your website into shape, running your next event, creating short promotional Podcasts or films, or use Facebook or Twitter to reach new audiences.

There is no charge for the service; - aside from covering expenses, any reimbursements are up to you. A typical project may involve a first briefing meeting with the student, with you outlining your business and the work you want done. More likely to be working off site, you will be kept updated on progress with regular checks until the project is completed.

With access to the 'Talent Pool' available from now until February, simply e mail us at info@solentcreatives.co.uk, outlining your business, the work (or project) you want doing, and using the skills sheet attached as a guide, the type of expertise you are looking for.

Companies who don't have any immediate requirements but who might want to access the talent pool in the near future can also register their interest.

Working to identify the most appropriate specialist or specialists for the job, our team at the University will match your request against our talent pool and contact you with details of the students most suited to help you. Like any normal contracting project you undertake, interviewing and managing the project is then left to you.

To register your interest or find out more, e mail us on info@solentcreatives.co.uk or telephone us on 07770 901208

Posted 2010-11-30 12:39:00

Wind of the Coast (WICO) latest newsletter available to download

WICO the Wind of the Coast project looking at the sharing of knowledge and experience of the deployment of small wind energy systems along the coastline has produced its latest newsletter to update interested parties on the project findings and activities to date.

The newsletter can be downloaded from:

http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/wico/news/

In addition there an e-brochure explaining the project is also available to download from:

http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/wico/downloads/

The latest WICO newsletter includes information on:

* The UK market assessment of small wind systems
* The results from the technical assessment of the Ravenna coast in Italy
* Feedback from the third Spanish workshop
* UK tax exemption information that may assist change in Spanish policies
* British Vertical Wind Energy company accessing finance to commercialise products

As well as a general project update.

For more information please visit

http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/wico

Posted 2010-11-25 14:42:42

EMSAC project launches new website

The EMSAC European project is concerned with water resource management and specifically ensuring that Europe's knowledge resource is effectively building solutions to stop the degradation of our coastal and estuarine waters.

Marine South East is a partner in the project which is looking at:

* Advanced sensing and surveillance systems
* Improved operational management for resource extraction including renewable energy
* Better management of coastal ecosystems and protected areas
* Techniques to minimise impacts of flooding due to sea-level rise
* Advances in resource-efficient desalination.

The project has recently launched a new website which details a host of information and links for anyone interested in this field.

The new EMSAC website can be found at:

http://www.emsacnet.eu

Posted 2010-11-30 10:23:53

New opportunities for marine companies in Korea as a result of the EU Free Trade Agreement

South Korea is the 4th largest economy in Asia and 13th globally, with a wealthy population. It is home to iconic brands such as Samsung, Hyundai and LG. It is the most connected country on the planet with broadband speeds of 100 MB plus. It leads the world in the production of flat screen televisions and is an innovative maker of mobile telephones.

To date the UK has secured only a modest share of the rich South Korean market. Some of the main reasons have been complex regulation and high tariffs. But those barriers are set to fall away. The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will eliminate 97% of all tariffs between the EU and South Korea at the end of year three, many immediately on entry into force. Doing business will become easier too.

When the FTA comes into force (currently expected by the end of 2010) at a stroke this market will become one of the most exciting opportunities for British business overseas. And the FTA will offer UK companies "first to market" opportunity like no other as US, Chinese and Japanese rivals still struggle with the old trade regimes.

Opportunities for marine companies are likely to include:

* Joint Collaboration on Marine Replenishment & Supply Ships Design and Construction
- The UK continues to purchase MARS vessels as it has limited manufacturing capability.
- Thus, there is an opportunity for co-operation whereby UK engineering firms can supply the design and the component supply chain while South Korean shipyards could build the vessels.
- South Korea's major heavy industry companies have climbed the value chain beyond simple hulls and will want to participate in value added production potentially in competition with their UK partner.

* Maritime Shipping Services
- All remaining restrictions on providing and utilising port services will be eliminated.
* Maritime Auxiliary Services
- South Korea has major international shipping ports and currently many services are expensive and inefficient.
- UK companies able to provide the following services competitively would be free to compete.

UK Trade & Investment has produced a new publication: South Korea: Open for Business; 100 opportunities for UK companies in South Korea following the EU - South Korea Free Trade Agreement which is available to download from the following location on the Marine South East website.

http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/docs/research/index.php?order=up&id=37&table=main

Posted 2010-11-22 17:02:57

Creating a positive future for Manufacturing

According to the EEF's latest survey, manufacturing in the South East outperformed every other region of Britain over the past three months with manufacturers reporting buoyant trading conditions on the back of rising demand in overseas markets - looking forward this all points to positive growth prospects.

Manufacturing is an important sector for the future of the South East economy, which will drive growth throughout the region. The manufacturing landscape continues to evolve and significant opportunities exist in all areas of manufacturing and especially high value manufacturing such as the marine sector. For this reason it is very important that the advanced manufacturing marine base continues to produce innovative products and cutting edge processes.

Manufacturing specialists at MAS South East have first hand knowledge on how advanced manufacturing is developing amongst SME's in the region. MAS South East supports SME's to increase their profitability in a number of ways including reviewing their manufacturing processes.

One example of an innovative manufacturer who has seen excellent results from MAS South East assistance is Kittiwake Development Ltd.

Kittiwake is a Sussex-based hi-tech manufacturer who develops innovative technology solutions for fuel and lube oil analysis and water testing.

As part of ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve productivity, Kittiwake underwent an MAS South East Lean Implementation programme aimed at one of the company's primary products.

Stuart Wood, MAS South East Specialist provided basic training on lean manufacturing followed by a guided paper mapping exercise and waste identification.

As a result of the programme the following achievements were recorded in the manufacturing process:

* 92% reduction in distance traveled around the shop floor
* 89% reduction in lead times
* 89% people productivity improvements
* 34% increased value add per employee
* Initial £2K inventory reduction
* £40K of tangible benefit generated

Kittiwake are looking to the offshore oil and gas markets as key areas for future growth and are planning significant investment in R&D to develop products in the marine and related industries.

For more information on MAS South East please contact Stuart Wood at stuartwood@mas-se.org.uk or log onto http://www.mas-se.org.uk

To access some free MAS consultancy as part of Marine South East's SMARTA programme please contact Stephen Sharp on stephen@marinesoutheast.co.uk or visit http://www.smarta.uk.com

Posted 2010-11-23 11:51:20

Opportunity to bid to the Regional Growth Fund

The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a discretionary £1.4 Billion fund that will operate for 3 years from 2011 to 2014 to stimulate enterprise by providing support for projects and programmes with significant potential for creating long term private sector led economic growth and employment.

The Regional Growth Fund has two main objectives:

* To encourage private sector enterprise by providing support for projects with significant potential for economic growth and create additional sustainable private sector employment; and

* To support in particular those areas and communities that are currently dependent on the public sector make the transition to sustainable private sector led growth and prosperity.

There will be a minimum of two bidding rounds for RGF funding. The first round opened on 28th October 2010 and closes on 21st January 2011.

The first round is intended for bids that are at an advanced stage of planning. It will be a fast-track one-stage bidding process that begins at the "Full Application" stage of the process.

Future rounds will commence with an "Expression of Interest" as part of a two stage process.

The annoucement of the second round is anticipated soon after the closure of the first round, along with subsequent bidding rounds.

The Solent LEP will co-ordinate bids in the Solent area.

More information will be posted on the Solent LEP website at http://www.solentlep.org.uk

Posted 2010-12-01 11:02:03

New look for South East design plus new website and online tools

South East Design has a new look and a new website to help businesses reap all the benefits that good design can bring.

Information about all South East Design's programmes for businesses can be found on their new website at http://www.southeastdesign.co.uk or by calling 0845 337 4464.

In addition to the new website, two new online tools are now available to help businesses easily understand the real benefits to be had by good design.

* The Design Adoption Tool helps companies identify how design could best be used and offers information and links for its implementation, including details of workshops and design consultants.

* The Sustainable Design Tool works in a similar way, providing design review and advice, and links to reduce waste and increase profitability through better design. In this case topics covered include green procurement, product and packaging design, measuring your business carbon footprint and promoting green credentials.

The new online tools can be accessed at http://www.d-adoption.co.uk

South East Design will also be offering businesses a free web review to help increase site traffic and optimise website performance.

The review is designed to help businesses turn their website into a valuable marketing tool.

To find out how to get a free web review email info@southeastdesign.co.uk

Posted 2010-11-23 11:11:36

Seminar: Offshore Wind in the UK, Danish Embassy, London 9th December 2010

On Thursday December 9, the Danish Embassy in London will host a seminar that offers insight to offshore wind in the UK.

What we can expect in 2011 in terms of policy developments, market opportunities and technical advances?

Come and hear from Vattenfall, DONG Energy, Department of Energy and Climate Change, General Electric, and others.

The program for the day is as follows:

10.00 Coffee and registration
10.30 Welcome: Birger Riis-Jørgensen, Ambassador

* Department of Energy and Climate Change - Policy developments in the UK - Duarte Figueira, Head of Offshore

* ABB UK - Connecting Wind farms - Peter Jones, Renewables manager

* Vattenfall - A developers perspective - Ole Bigum Nielsen, Head of Offshore

* Carbon Trust - Technology developments and the Offshore Wind Accelerator - Benjamin Sykes, Director of Innovations

Lunch

* Dong Energy - Case study: Walney project - Jesper Krarup Holst, Head of UK Project Development

* General Electric - Turbine requirements - Simon Ashwell, Head of Policy

15.30 Networking

To register for the event please follow the link:

http://www.ducc.co.uk/Pm/UKOffshoreWind.html

The event will take place at the Royal Danish Embassy, 55 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SR, London on Thursday 9th December 2010.

Price for participation is £94.00 incl VAT

For further information please contact export advisor Rasmus Leth Traberg +44 2073 330 232 or rastra@um.dk

Posted 2010-11-25 14:50:03

NHS Plus small business health adviceline taking off

A report by NHS Plus shows that increasing numbers of small business employers are turning to its free Health for Work Adviceline, introduced to help tackle the impact of sickness absence in the workplace. More than a thousand businesses have called the Adviceline and the numbers are increasing every month.

Overall, sickness absence costs the UK around £100 billion each year. For small businesses, the effect of just one employee being absent can be huge in terms of productivity, recruitment costs and staff morale, but they often lack the resources that larger organisations have at their disposal to tackle employee ill health.

The Adviceline 0800 0 77 88 44 puts small businesses in direct contact with occupational health professionals for advice on how to help an employee with a physical or mental health problem either stay at work or return to work sooner.

The NHS Plus report on the service has found that more than 97% of small business employers have found it useful.

Small businesses can also receive help with occupational health monitoring, screening and surveillance, as well as lifestyle and well-being issues, absence management and rehabilitation advice, and will be referred to further support if appropriate.

The Health for Work Adviceline can be contacted on 0800 0 77 88 44 or visit http://www.health4work.nhs.uk

The free adviceline provides support tailored to the needs of small business employers, helping them to retain an employee's services or assist them back to work sooner after a period of sickness absence.

Posted 2010-11-09 09:53:40

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