BUSINESS CLUB - Rhondda Cynon Taf

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usinessoutlook RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL B U S I N E S S S U P P L E M E N T Are you a Business in Rhondda Cynon Taf? Could you benefit from financial assistance? £50m Education Masterplan Local Investment Fund in the Frame Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s £50m education, leisure and community master plan for the Ynys Site in Aberdare will allow even further business opportunities for the town and help maintain and improve a vibrant local economy. Work is now under way on the ambitious scheme. Blaengwawr Comprehensive, Aberdare Girls’ and Aberdare High Schools will close as part of the scheme, with all secondary pupils in the town attending the new school which will have 1600 places and include Special Education Needs rooms, drama studios, workshops, IT suites and more. The new school, set to create a modern, inspiring environment in which all young people can secure the education, skills and training they need to thrive in life, forms just a part of the development. It will also see the creation of a modern, stateoftheart sport and leisure centre which will focus on improvement and expansion of the existing Aberdare Pool and replacement of provision currently offered at Michael Sobell Sports Centre, which will be demolished. There will also be wider, outdoor sporting and community facilities on the site, which will provide yet another boost to the town, which is currently undergoing a multimillionpound regeneration. More business opportunities, job creation schemes and development to the local infrastructure will help boost the local economy. The new development’s construction will also provide opportunities for local businesses and the local workforce. Through the procurement contracts it awards for major infrastructure schemes such as new schools or highways, the Council uses social clauses that require the main contractor to use local labour and local subcontractors as part of the project. Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “This development will also benefit the wider community, complementing the extensive regeneration of the town centre to ensure Aberdare has an excellent range of leisure, health, social and shopping experiences for its residents but also to attract new visitors and investors.” Antea Photography, based in Pontyclun, has become one of the latest new businesses to get started using funding from the Local Investment Fund. New Rhondda Cynon Taf photography company Antea is becoming a promising new business. Antea, who began trading in January 2012 hope to grow further with the support provided by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. The commercial architectural and landscape photography company, specialises in elevated photography and produces hiimpact and outstanding shots for marketing and illustrative purposes such as events, shows and properties. Antea began when owner Anthony Barber, was made redundant in July 2011. This then encouraged him to set up his own photography company “Without the grant I would have struggled to get the business off the ground” said Mr Barber. “It was an easy, simple application process to follow and I was constantly kept in the loop”. Mr Barber used the funding to purchase specialist equipment which included a 17metre telescopic mast that takes overhead shots, capturing unique photographic perspectives. The Anthony Barber South East Wales Local Investment Fund is a flexible financial support scheme delivered in partnership across Rhondda Cynon Taf, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen. The project was developed with support from the Welsh Government through the European Regional Development Fund, under the Convergence Programme. Financial support is available between £1,000 and £10,000, based on 40% of eligible project costs. For further information call the Business Support Team on 01443 495169, email invest@rctcbc.gov.uk or alternatively visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk Structural Funds brings £3billion boost Wales is set to benefit from some £3b investment, creating jobs and boosting economies, through the European Structural Funds Programmes. Future European Union programmes will need to be focused on creating sustainable jobs and growth in line with the European Union’s Europe 2020 Strategy. The Welsh Government is currently engaging with the UK Government and the European Commission on the negotiation and development of future Structural Fund Programmes to be implemented from 2014 to 2020, and has outlined the key priorities including Research, Technological Development and Innovation, Enterprise and SME Competitiveness, Sustainable Transport and Network Infrastructure, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and Skills and Employment. As part of preparing for the next round of Structural Funds, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will be working collaboratively across the South East Wales region to ensure that maximum benefit can be derived from this significant funding opportunity developing shared programmes alongside the Welsh Local Government Association. 4 BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT
For further information call the Business Support Team on 01443 495169 • invest@rctcbc.gov.uk • www.rctcbc.gov.uk businessoutlook RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL B U S I N E S S S U P P L E M E N T Training for Future Securing a brighter future for the manufacturing industry can be achieved by ensuring younger generations have the right skills for the job. That’s the clear message of a Welsh Government advisory panel, headed by Llantrisant businessman Gareth Jenkins. As Chairman of the Welsh Government Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Sector Panel he spearheaded the ambitious Pathways To Apprenticeships scheme – and, two years later, more than 1,500 manufacturing apprentices are learning their craft in Wales. Mr Jenkins, Managing Director for the past 12 years of FSG Tool and Die Limited at Llantrisant Business Park, is at the very forefront of a move to advise Welsh and UK government on what needs to be done to reestablish a vibrant economy for the future of manufacturing. As MD of one of the UK's leading design and manufacture tool making companies, which employs 86 staff and exports around 50% of its goods, he is well aware of the effects of the recession. He is a former President of EEF Western, and Chairman of the Wales Council, in addition to his duties as a main board Director of EEF Ltd. During his 38year career he has always been passionate about developing young people as a former apprentice himself, he has championed modern apprenticeships and is now chairman of one of six panels established to advise ministers on the best opportunities to build a sustainable Welsh economy. “Much has already been achieved in a relatively short space of time,” he explained, “and through partnership work between private sector and government we can drive towards the common goal of creating a more balanced economy, “A couple of years ago when we faced the credit crunch and recession, then clearly the economy was unbalanced. One of the things we know as engineers is that anything not balanced wont work and that’s why we’re in this current situation. “As a country we became so dependant on the financial sector, it was felt we would feel the recession harder than any other because of our dependence – and that’s true. “The UK and Welsh government accepted that the economy needed balancing and they couldn’t do it on their own, so that’s why the panels include those individuals who share their own expertise.” The Forum has examined carefully the key issues confronting the Welsh manufacturing sector and has defined what it thinks needs to be done to create the conditions where manufacturing businesses can become competitive through a medium to long term strategy. Mr Jenkins explained, “Our strategy up to 2025 shows how the manufacturing sector can grow in a significant way and what needs to happen to make the vision a reality. “Clearly the most important aspect that needs special focus on is developing people’s skills. “Whatever you examine, from aerospace to automotive there is a shortage of skilled people and you can’t change that in five minutes. “We don’t have enough young people entering as apprentices or strong enough graduated intake. Even at secondary school level young people were not studying subjects compatible with a career in this industry. “Through our advice the Welsh Government reexamined the stem subjects in school and had the courage, despite being in the middle of a recession, to launch a Pathways to Apprenticeship scheme. “That is why Wales is so unique. For the first two years, employers contribute very little to financing a manufacturing apprenticeship, something the rest of the UK cannot boast. “It took a lot of courage but is paying dividends as the pipeline of supply is growing all the time. “In Wales we haven’t got everything but we’ve got the skills and together we can turn the manufacturing sector around to be a substantial part of the UK economy – the task is monumental – but it’s doable.” Steve Bourne Pontypridd’s multimillion pound Sainsbury’s store, which has opened its doors on the site of the famous Brown Lenox Chainworks site is preparing for its first Christmas. The prosperity of the store has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in July this year and now employs more than 200 members of staff. Sainsbury’s has fresh food counters, selling a wide range of food products as well as the Sainsbury’s TU clothing range and a cafeteria for customers to relax in and enjoy. There is an eightpump petrol station, recycling facilities and cash points, also a new access road from the A470 roundabout directly into the site has been created. Manager Steve Bourne explained, “Reaction from shoppers has been very positive especially the fact that the car Economic Strategy Encouraging new businesses and regenerating towns is at the heart of the Council’s threeyear Economic Regeneration Strategy. It will set out a clear action plan for regenerating the economy, focusing on opportunities to make Rhondda Cynon Taf a place where businesses can thrive and people want to live, work and visit. The Strategy sets out the following five key priorities: • Helping Local People Find Jobs; • Developing Rhondda Cynon Taf as a park is covered. The café has proven to be a real winner alongside our bakery, clothing and frozen foods sections. “We have enjoyed a start that has hit our expectations and our aspirations are to grow the business and have a proven track for customer service and also to develop our new colleagues so if they wish they can develop a career within Sainsbury’s.” A Local Employer Partnership was formed between the Council, Job Centre Plus and Sainsbury’s to gather applications for employment. Sainsbury’s management were impressed with the high standard of applicants. location for New Business and Investment; • Regenerating Town Centres; • Supporting the Growth and Development of Local Businesses; and • Improving Transport to Support Economic Development. For more information contact 01443 495154 or email regen@rctcbc.gov.uk BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT 5
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BUSINESS CLUB - Rhondda Cynon Taf

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