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Issue 48 Cheshire Independent 21Independent BUSINESSTRUST PLEDGESAPPRENTICESHIPSUPPORTMACCLESFIELD-based Peaks &Plains Housing Trust has pledgedto create seven new apprenticeshipsby the end of the year.The housing association, which owns5,000 homes in Cheshire and the HighPeak, has signed up to the NationalHousing Federation’s North WestApprenticeship Commitment.With the highest youth unemploymentfigures in England and nearly one in fouryoung people out of work, the NorthWest urgently needs more apprenticesto drive economic growth and create anew generation of skilled workers.Tim Pinder, chief executive at Peaks& Plains, said: “We feel very stronglyabout the importance of training anddeveloping apprentices as they are valuablemembers of our team, who showreal commitment and ambition.“We wholeheartedly support thegrowth of apprenticeship schemes andfeel it’s important that organisationsrecognise their value.”Peaks & Plains and other social landlordsare working with the NationalHousing Federation, which representshousing associations across the country,to ensure the sector steps up to the markand provides opportunities for youngpeople to start their careers.More than 30 housing associationsacross the North West of England aretaking part in the pledge. Housing associationsoffer a variety of apprenticeshiproles, ranging from IT and marketing tohorticulture, plumbing and construction.The aim is to offer first class apprenticeships,lasting between 12 monthsand three years, which will equip youngpeople with the relevant skills and NVQqualifications to gain permanent jobs atthe end of their apprenticeship contracts.Jessica Sharpley, pictured, is a newbusiness partnership apprentice atPeaks & Plains.She said: “I chose to do an apprenticeshipwith Peaks & Plains because it’s awell-known, successful businessthroughout Macclesfield and the surroundingareas.“The apprenticeship means I can continueto develop my knowledge andfurther my skills, whilst getting the experienceof working life.”Chess opens new officesCHESHIREIndependentBacking local businessCHANCELLOR George Osbornehas officially opened new officesin Alderley Edge for growing corporatetelecoms provider Chess.The Tatton MP declared thecompany as “one of AlderleyEdge’s great success stories”duringthe ceremony.Chess is a major local employerwith a turnover of more than£40million. Barrington House isan addition to its HQ in the villageat Bridgford House. ChiefExecutive Officer David Pollocksaid: “We’ve ambitious plans forfuture growth. This year alone wehave created 37 new jobs.”Mr Osborne said: “Chess is oneof Alderley Edge’s great successstories. I opened their existingoffice seven years ago and inthat time they have more thandoubled the number of peopleemployed by them to becomeone of the most advanced companiesin the country. Openingthese new offices points to aneven better future and theenthusiasm, energy and optimismof all the staff isinfectious.”IndependentCHESHIREBacking local businessComputer firm on cloud nine!CHESHIRE-based IT specialist1st Easy has officiallylaunched its new cutting-edgecloud computing service.Local MP Fiona Bruce, pictured,cut the ribbon on acomputer scheme to mark thelaunch of Cloud Utilities at thefirm’s offices in Riverside Mill,Congleton.She told the audience: “Businesseslike this don’t just happen;they take dedication, hard workand financial sacrifice.“This is just the sort of newbusiness that this country needsif we are going to solve the economicchallenges we face.”The firm was founded byfounder and Managing DirectorStephen Bell. The former air trafficengineer, turned IT expert,who has worked with some of themajor international names ininformation technology, includingIBM and Sun Microsystems, setit up in 1999 with his wife Viv,now Finance Director.He said: “Eighteen months ago1st Easy laid out its technologyroad map for the next five years.A key part of this plan was theinclusion of cloud technology. Thelaunch today has been the culminationof that vision.”