< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CHEVIN HOMES Q&A Can you tell us a little about Chevin Homes? Chevin Homes are a property development company established in 2002 to create quality new homes throughout Derbyshire and the East Midlands and are one of Derbyshire’s most active and diverse property developers. Our primary focus is to create bespoke new homes that blend traditional design with contemporary themes equipped for modern living. We pride ourselves on showcasing our attention to detail and building quality new homes which offer a high internal specification as standard. What can people expect from your builds? Our developments are selected to ensure they are in convenient and quality locations and use local tradesman and materials to ensure that each new home fits perfectly into its surroundings. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail allowing us to build high specification homes as standard, which achieves our constant goal of customer satisfaction. The Chevin Homes standard finishes include granite worktops, all luxury flooring included, high end appliances, full alarm system installed, turfed gardens, Q&A Chevin Homes This month, we meet with the award-winning Chevin Homes to find out more about the company and their builds. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link CHEVIN HOMES Q&A outside taps and outdoor sockets, branded sanitary ware and underfloor heating. We go above and beyond to make your home your dream. We offer a highly personal customer service with a dedicated sales manager to guide you through the process. All our properties are covered by a 10 year structural warranty and a 2 year defect period to allow you to live worry-free in your home. Where do you build? All of our projects are in the East Midlands, we are currently completing luxury homes in Oakerthorpe and Burton Joyce, with future developments in Mickleover and Allestree too. Our houses are perfectly designed for a range of life styles from single storey living to homes for growing families. If you are interested in viewing one of our sites, we operate a ‘by appointment only’ system so please feel free to give us a call on 01332 366873 to book your viewing today! www.chevinhomes.com Relax. Your home is here East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT Looking to the year ahead, the engineering industry is set to invigorate 2024, both across the East Midlands, and further afield. L ast year brought unique challenges to the engineering sector that look set to continue into 2024. A severe skills shortage, and a cost-of-living crisis has compounded vast reaching supply chain issues caused by the war in Ukraine. This has left firms desperately scrambling to fulfil orders. To survive this turbulent climate, the industry needs to address some deep-rooted issues that have plagued the engineering sector since its inception. Thankfully, some initiatives are beginning to take shape, such as outreach programmes and government funding. Yet, the entire industry needs to embrace them. So, what can engineering firms and industry leaders do to help Engineering Engineering www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT improve the outlook for the sector? The UK engineering and manufacturing industry comprises a huge proportion of the working population – around 5 million people and 18% of the entire UK workforce. Despite this huge number, it is not enough to meet demand. The Institution of Engineering and Technology estimates that there is an average of 10 unfilled roles per business. A separate survey found that 96% of engineering firms are affected by skilled labour shortages, and 75% of independent contractors have had issues recruiting skilled workers. One reason for this massive shortage is the ongoing impact of Brexit. The UK has long leant on skilled European engineers, hailing from countries such as France, Poland, Romania, and Switzerland. When Brexit came into force, skilled European workers left the UK en masse, leaving behind millions of open positions. Whilst one of the main goals of Brexit was to encourage companies to invest in 24 Á © stock.adobe.com/Me studio East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT domestic workforce, the chronic lack of investment in recent years means that there is not a ready UK workforce to take the place of the EU workers. Research suggests that this is largely due to organisational culture. Male-dominated workplaces not used to accommodating women can feel unwelcoming and even hostile. Yet, in not accommodating women, this is turning away skilled labour that the sector cannot afford to lose. Furthermore, there is an extreme lack of diversity across the sector. Women account for less than 15% of all UK engineers. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field has always had a significant gender imbalance, often arising from girls often being discouraged from pursuing these topics in school. Whilst only 20% of Engineering graduates are female, there is still a discrepancy between those who graduate and those who actually work in the field. Worse still, 40% of female engineering graduates will eventually quit the sector, or never even end up working in it. Turning to national projects, the much anticipated and highly controversial railway project HS2 is reaching a critical juncture. HS2 Ltd is finalizing a substantial package of work that will lay the foundation for the physical operation of the groundbreaking rail link connecting London and the West Midlands. In the upcoming year, the government-owned entity is set to unleash approximately £5 billion worth of contracts, overseeing the construction of crucial components such as tracks, power systems, signalling infrastructure, overhead lines, and the state-of-the-art network control centre. These elements will not only be built to exacting standards but are poised to set a new UK benchmark for speed and punctuality, ensuring passengers can rely on the service even in the face of extreme weather conditions. Integral to this colossal undertaking is the implementation of a cutting-edge telecom system that promises uninterrupted phone calls and streaming capabilities for passengers throughout the entire route, including tunnels. This technological step is a testament to the project’s commitment to delivering a truly modern travel experience. While the project initially focused on monumental civil engineering endeavours such as tunnels, bridges, embankments, and cuttings along the 140-mile route, the upcoming contracts signify a focus shift towards the broader goal of the ultimate high-speed rail vision. Despite the promising developments, it faces challenges, with the recent cancellation of the second phase north of Birmingham. However, political figures, including West Midlands Conservative mayor Andy Street and Manchester’s Labour mayor Andy Burnham, are www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link ENGINEERING SPOTLIGHT actively engaging with Transport Secretary Mark Harper to reignite Phase 2. Their proposal hinges on securing private company funding, including contributions from rail firms, to replace the cancelled scheme. Yet, amidst the enthusiasm for HS2, dissenting voices raise concerns. Recent statistics indicate that a mere 7% of the public views long-distance trains as a priority, and the return on investment for taxpayers is questioned, potentially offering as little as 80 pence for every £1 invested. Moreover, sceptics argue that the estimated benefits disproportionately favour London and the southeast, challenging the project’s broader societal impact. As HS2 hurtles towards its operational phase, the project executors will have their work cut out in changing the negative opinions of many key stakeholders. © stock.adobe.com/Jon Le-Bon © stock.adobe.com/NDABCREATIVITY East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS Investing in continuous learning and apprenticeships transforms businesses into industry leaders, fostering innovation, diversity, and a workforce prepared for the future. B eyond being important investments in future growth, training and development initiatives act as catalysts for employee growth across the board, while innovating the services and products you provide, and making your work a leadership example to others inside and outside your fields of expertise. It therefore stands to reason that training in general is about much more than the onboarding process for new hires. It should be seen as an ongoing commitment to supporting skills, fostering innovation, and adapting to the evolution of any industry you may be involved in. By affording equal access to opportunities for both new and existing employees, businesses forge a commitment to freedom of knowledge and expertise to all, not just a select few. A well-structured program serves as a compass for new hires, directing them through the specifics of your company’s operations, culture, and expectations. But ongoing guidance for existing training Beyond © stock.adobe.com/BullRun 28 Á#1 University for Degree Apprenticeships in the Midlands 2023 Find out why our apprentices have rated us the top university provider in the midlands, for the second consecutive year! Visit ntu.ac.uk/apprenticeships to learn more. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS employees is equally vital, as it ensures that the entire workforce stays updated on emerging trends, cutting-edge technologies, and evolving industry best practices, as well as championing everyone’s freedom to study new skills and expand their capabilities. Businesses have a plethora of providers and resources at their disposal. Specialised firms bring targeted and industry-specific expertise, providing tailored programs that address distinct challenges such as digital transformation, leadership and management development, or soft skills and interpersonal communication. Meanwhile, online platforms offer accessibility and flexibility, allowing employees to engage in diverse, interactive courses at their own pace. Employees can customise their learning from here to align with both personal growth and organisational objectives. Any combination of resources can provide the knowledge that makes a workforce ready to thrive in the face of inevitable transformation, when smartly and compassionately integrated. Moreover, guidance from industry associations, mentorship programs, and collaboration with educational institutions offers the potential elevate the effectiveness of training initiatives. The key is to tailor the approach to the unique needs and objectives of your business, and enable everyone’s confidence and ease in adapting to new regulations and industry developments. The significance in educating your employees extends further still, beyond the immediate benefits of skill enhancement. It empowers employees to contribute ideas, experiment with new methodologies, and actively engage in problem-solving. Such a boost to employee morale is only going to help propel the business forward while employees are motivated by shared belonging and accountability. The introduction of new talent through apprenticeships extends powerful skill acquisition to the next generation, and is a great way to promote diversity of work culture, perspectives and ideas. It’s been studied and proven that creativity, problem-solving, and widespread success flourish within a business when there’s greater diversity of input, while inevitably resonating positively with clients and stakeholders as a signifier of forward thinking. Apprenticeships can therefore be a strategic tool for businesses looking to create teams that are not just effective, but reflective of the communities and custom they hope to serve. Apprenticeships provide a unique and tailored approach to talent acquisition that refreshes your adaptability and approach to prospective successes, through attracting people naturally drawn to and curious about your business. As apprentices immerse themselves in the company’s operations, values, and objectives, they gain a deep understanding of each one through education. Unlike traditional recruitment, where alignment may take time, apprenticeships mould individuals into professionals who seamlessly integrate into the organisational fabric, becoming assets that truly understand and champion the company’s mission while © stock.adobe.com/Rido 30 ÁDMU Apprenticeships Discover, Develop, Deliver. Get in touch to find out more: E: apprenticeships@dmu.ac.uk W: dmu.ac.uk/apprenticeships T: 0116 207 8455 Scan for more: Small business: big opportunites. Your apprenticeship covered. Looking to bring in new talent to your workforce? If you have under 50 employees, unlock the full potential of 100% funded apprenticeship training for 16-18 year olds. Even larger businesses can tap into substantial government funding to support apprenticeships -covering up to 95% of fees. Apprenticeships available at DMU include the following areas: - Management - Cyber and Data - Audiology - Clinical practice - Nursing and Audiology - Policing Next >