A CARING CAREER WITH CARE UK

CARE UK, one of the largest health and social care business in the UK, is expanding and looking for care professionals and trainees to work in the Tyne & Wear area.

The award-winning company specialises in the provision and delivery of health and social care services. It employs more than 11,000 people across the UK, working in residential homes, home care, GP practices, NHS Walk-In Centres and hospitals, looking after people of all ages.

Excellent staff are the company’s key resource, contributing mightily to the company’s formidable reputation for care and support to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

With expansion in the Tyne & Wear area they’re currently interviewing for care professionals, and those who want to train to become care professionals. Only committed and caring individuals need apply.

Professional and personal support are offered as of right; you will be encouraged to make the most of your skills and new development opportunities every step of the way.

All carers have the opportunity to work towards an NVQ Level 2 in a working environment that is rewarding and fulfilling.

Why Choose Care UK?

• The company is the third largest independent provider of social care in the UK, which means there is plenty of work, lots of opportunities to progress, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.

• This progressive organisation is always looking at ways to expand their expertise into new areas. Which means your career could expand too – you could care for the elderly, children, people with learning disabilities, or with mental health issues.

 

• Wide variety of training opportunities offered – you will be encouraged and supported while you prepare for qualifications, such as NVQ level 2.

• Care UK is an organisation with an exciting future in social and health care delivery in the UK – you could be a part of that excitement too.

 

To find out more and discuss opportunities call Lisa Roberts on 0191 519 5960.

Bringing together bright ideas and business has suddenly become cheaper 

Investor-link.biz (http://www.investor-link.biz) - the online showcase for
Inventors - is slashing its minimum advertising fee to just £20.

This makes it easier and cheaper for budding entrepreneurs to share their flashes of
inspiration with those who can provide the vital funds to bring these ideas to fruition.

The starting fee of £20 for placing an advert on Investor-link.biz allows for up
to five adverts placed within six months. This marks a reduction of almost
60 per cent over the original minimum charge of £49 (for 10 adverts a year). The fee is payable by debit or credit card through Paypal.

Investor-link.biz was launched in early 2007 by electronics and computer
specialist, Philip Vincent, who was keenly aware that countless brilliant ideas
have been lost forever because their frustrated inventors lacked the cash or
know-how to bring them to market.

The website seeks to change that unfortunate situation by encouraging inventors
and entrepreneurs to advertise their ideas, products or processes for a modest
fee.

Investor-link.biz is, in turn, advertised in the print media, which entices
influential investors and business angels to explore a wealth of new ideas.

Mr Vincent says his revised price structure is being launched in direct response
to feedback from potential clients: “A lot of ‘one-off’ inventors feel they are unlikely to require 10 adverts a year.

“The new price structure, with its lower point of entry, will help people who
wish to promote that once-in-a-lifetime brainwave. However, those advertising a
succession of different ideas will also save money, so there’s really something
for everyone.”

Philip Vincent came up with the idea for Investor-link.biz after he was forced to
shelve viable product ideas because he had no funding, and did not know whom to
approach about his inventions.

“I am convinced that Investor-link.biz has the potential to make millionaires
out of some of the inventors and entrepreneurs who advertise on the site,” he
says. “The reality is that when the little light-bulb flashes in the inventor’s
mind, it really is just the start of a very long, hard process to bring the
product to market.”

Shrewd investors can also hit the jackpot, as Investor-link.biz offers them a
tantalising opportunity to discover the next Edison, Marconi, or Alexander
Graham Bell as soon as their first flash of inspiration strikes.

Investors can browse the adverts free of charge and, if they wish to pursue an
idea, they can contact the advertiser through the website. Investor-link.biz
does not give out the contact details of anyone who uses the site – it is up to
those involved to disclose as much personal information as they wish.

Investor-link.biz provides an outlet for web advertising, but it does not judge
or guarantee the commercial viability of any submitted idea, and its involvement
ends when investor and inventor make contact to discuss the idea in greater
detail. Investor-link.biz takes no commission or percentages from any business
venture that may subsequently develop.

Nissan expands alongside new business park: 4,000 new jobs in prospect

FOUR THOUSAND NEW JOBS are in the pipeline, thanks to a Sunderland City Council initiative in association with property developers Wilton and Clugston and One NorthEast.

In a groundbreaking partnership Sunderland City Council has brokered a deal which will enable Nissan to go ahead with a £4.5 million expansion of its Sunderland car plant.

In addition property developers Wilton and Clugston will build a new business park on part of Nissan's Washington site which could bring more than 4,000 new jobs to the city.

The disposal of land by Nissan - renowned as Europe's most productive car plant for the last eight years - will enable the company to develop a new logistics centre at its Sunderland site, enabling it to maintain its competitive edge and safeguarding future investment at the plant.

The 20,000 sq m logistics centre will process thousands of parts each year from around the world, making Nissan's logistics operation more efficient and reducing CO2 emissions.

The new centre is being funded by the sale and development of land at the Nissan plant following an agreement brokered by Sunderland City Council with the support of One NorthEast.

This will see the development of a prestigious 690,000 sq ft business park by developers Wilton and Clugston, providing office space, light industrial units, a hotel and car showroom.

Said Sunderland City Council Leader Cllr Bob Symonds: "Sunderland City Council has supported Nissan from day one and this latest deal - which will see efficiency improvements at the Nissan plant and a first rate business park with the potential to create more than 4,000 new jobs in the city - is an example of the City Council's business friendly approach.

"Nissan contributes almost £500 million to the local economy each year, while the company and its component suppliers provide over 15,000 jobs in Sunderland and the surrounding area. This is a welcome enhancement of its business.

"We hope Nissan will continue to thrive and we're also delighted to welcome Wilton and Clugston to the city as a joint developer. Their new business park will strengthen Sunderland's reputation as an international business location, complementing the excellent business facilities we already have at Doxford International and Rainton Bridge."

Trevor Mann, Senior Vice President - Manufacturing, Europe, said: "The new centre will handle inbound parts for the Sunderland Plant. Increasingly, these are coming from further afield, in bulk volume.

"By bulk sourcing parts we are making significant total cost savings, which helps our plant to improve its competitiveness. This in turn puts us in a stronger position when bidding for future models."

The new business park will be sited on a 45 acre site alongside Nissan's Sunderland plant which has been purchased by Barmston Developments, a joint venture partnership between Wilton Developments and Clugston Developments.

Jason Stowe, Director at Wilton Developments, said: “This site is strategically located on the Sunderland Highway (A1231) at the junction with the A19, between Washington and Sunderland. Our intention is to deliver a vibrant mixed use scheme that will appeal to those looking for a foothold in the North East as well as meeting local occupier needs.

“A masterplan for the site is underway and we are already in discussions with Sunderland City Council about the submission of an early planning application for 700,000 sq ft of commercial development. This will include offices, light industrial, warehouses, hybrid units, motor retail, hotel, leisure and ancillary retail uses.”

Bob Culliford, MD of Clugston Developments Ltd, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to work with Sunderland City Council and our new joint venture partner, Wilton Developments, on a strategic mixed use site which will deliver over 4000 new jobs to the area.

“This scheme forms part of Clugston Development’s planned growth programme, providing an opportunity to use our experience in delivering major developments with significant infrastructure requirements.”

In addition, as part of the development, there will be also be highway improvements to the A19/A1231 junction which will benefit the wider regeneration of Sunderland and the surrounding area.

Construction work on Nissan's new logistics centre, which will be located on the south side of the existing Trim & Chassis shop, will begin later this month. The primary role of the new facility will be to receive, store and prepare for the delivery of in-bound car parts, before they delivered to the production line. The centre is scheduled to be fully operational by February 2008.

A third party logistics provider will staff the facility by operating two shifts. Around 55 employees per shift will be needed to run the centre, creating approximately 15 new posts.

In future Nissan will make increasing use of the Port of Tyne deep water facility to ship parts in large volume from around the world. In conjunction with the parts centre, this will be more efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly than operating numerous smaller road deliveries.

Once operational, the centre will reduce the number of truck deliveries to the Nissan Sunderland site by 11,000 per year, with a significant decrease both in CO2 emissions and congestion around the plant.

Trevor Mann added: "The centre is good news for Nissan and good news for our suppliers. Not only does it create new jobs, it goes some way towards safeguarding around 1,000 posts at our plant by making us more cost competitive at a time the global car industry is becoming increasingly fierce.

"Nissan, the developers, Sunderland City Council and One North East have been working together on this project for a number of months, so I'm delighted with today's announcement."

Ian Williams, One NorthEast Interim Director of Business and Industry, said: "We facilitiated the close working relationship between Nissan, Sunderland City Council and the developers to help bring about this fantastic double announcement.

“The expansion of the Nissan plant strengthens its already world leading position when bidding for new models. Sunderland stands to further benefit economically from a premier business park in a prime location.”

Pupil picture power promotes Fairtrade!
 
NOW YOUNG DESIGNERS – pupils at city schools – are working to promote Fairtrade. Their posters will go on show in the Civic Centre.

Sunderland Partnership organised a poster competition to raise awareness among young people of the global campaign to protect the rights of farmers and producers in developing countries.

All entrants met the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Tom Foster and had their designs displayed in the Mayor's Parlour.

The winner’s £250 prize funded a 'tuck shop' at their school stocking Fairtrade food and drink.

Interest in the competition was so intense that an additional runner-up prize of £50 was presented.

Canon Stephen Taylor, Chair of the Sunderland Partnership said: "Engaging young people with supporting this campaign is vital. They and their schools have a great part to play in raising awareness of the aims of Fairtrade."

The winning entry came from Michael Abernethy, 16, who is a pupil at Thornhill School. Michael said: "I'm really interested in Fairtrade. I researched the website and leaflets as part of my studies at school which helped me design my poster."

Runner-up was Alice Kearney, 12, from St Anthony's School who added: " Fairtrade to me means that the people in poorer countries are given a fair price for the things that they grow or make so that they can have a better life, and that the richer countries do not take more money than they should when they buy and sell these goods."

Raising awareness of Fairtrade, and promoting not only its produce but also its aims, is all part of Sunderland's bid to become an internationally accredited Fairtrade city. Schools have a vital part to play, leaders say.

Canon Stephen Taylor commented, "As part of the city's bid for full Fairtrade city status it has become possible for schools to be accredited as a 'Fairtrade School'.”

Virtual help to find that new job and build a creditable CV

Job hunters have a new friend to help them secure the career of their dreams. He is Duncan, the virtual coach at careers website Top Briefings (www.topbriefings.com).

Through a selection of 20 minute e-briefings Duncan offers advice on writing the perfect CV and how to perform at your best in an interview,

Time management techniques … how to influence and persuade an audience … and developing a perfect presentation are just some of the subjects covered on Top Briefings.

The site features a wealth of information for anyone seeking new employment.

In the site’s free 'CV Builder', virtual coach Duncan guides users through all aspects of building a CV. Job hunters can build up a complete picture of their skills, job history and educational background, using techniques known to attract potential employers.

The avatar is a digital version of real-life career coach Duncan Gotobed who founded Top Briefings in 2006. He comments: “The virtual me is an affordable way of providing as many people as possible with the tools they need to go and get the perfect job.

“Virtual Duncan makes it easier to create a CV that will be noticed for all the right reasons. He adds the personal touch to our e-briefings, and helps engage users as they learn new interview skills.”

Strengthening Fairtrade Links

From left: Billy Lancaster joins Mayor of Sunderland Cllr Tom Foster, Sher Ghazi and Cameron Mahan.

SUNDERLAND'S BID TO ACHIEVE FULL FAIRTRADE status has taken another significant step forward.

The Mayor recently welcomed as his guest Sher Ghazi who runs Mountain Fruits in Pakistan.

As he met the Mayor Councillor Tom Foster and pupils from Thornhill School Mr Ghazi enjoyed a selection of the Fairtrade coffee and snacks now available at all council catering outlets.

The students gave a presentation based on work they have done at school showing what Fairtrade means to them.

Peter Chapman, Sunderland City Council's Assistant Chief Executive said: "The aim was to further demonstrate our commitment to Fairtrade and discuss with Sher the good work that is taking place to support this global initiative on a local level here in Sunderland.

"The visit also provided a good opportunity for school students to meet someone who has had first hand experience of working with producers and farmers in developing countries, and enable them to make the link between what they are learning in the classroom about Fairtrade and the real difference it is making to people's lives on the other side of the world."

The Year Nine Thornhill School students have been researching the aims and achievements of Fairtrade to produce written work and design posters. They gave a presentation of work as part of the TAIT (The Arts Included at Thornhill) project taking place across the school.

Cameron Mahan said: "Doing the Powerpoint presentation on Fairtrade with my classmate Billy was a great day for TAIT, Thornhill school and me personally.

"It was great to be taken seriously and we would love to do something like this again."

Billy Lancaster added: "We all learned a lot more about Fairtrade. It was a worthwhile experience all round."

How smoking ban will hit company drivers

Drivers of lorries, vans, tractors – all affected!

Smoking Ban Hits Business

SMOKER MOTORISTS who drive company vehicles are set to be hit by the ban that hits England from July 2007. But too many businesses are unprepared.

Fact 1: over 1.2 million people in the UK drive company cars* and there are 12
million smokers.

**Fact 2: drivers will not be allowed to smoke in work vans, company vehicles, lorries or tractors.

Vicky Bennett, head of employment at law firm Heatons, warns that companies must prepare for the new law now or face chaos:

"Many businesses don't realise that the smoking ban covers company
vehicles. Businesses must put in place a strategy now to ensure they are fully prepared for the impact. It will be impossible to manage the ban at the last minute.

"Companies that share a pool or have cars and vans for multiple users will
need to make sure they are not caught out by the legislation. Employers have a
duty to prevent employees smoking in a company vehicle. A failure to comply could result in the company being fined in the Magistrates Court.

“Also, one smoker caught ignoring the ban could lead to problems further down the
line. Employees forced to inhale stale smoke left by the previous occupant of
the car could have legitimate grounds for complaint.

"Employers and fleet managers will need to display no-smoking signs in shared
cars and make sure they communicate the policy effectively to staff.  Effective
smoke-free policies acknowledge the right of employees to work in a smoke-free
environment.

“Such policies are concise and simple to understand and they include a
consultation with members of staff.

"Employers need to decide now how they will tackle non-compliance with their
Smoke-free policies and consider how the policy fits with their health and
safety and discipline policies."

Top tips to weed out driver smoking:

1) Communicate the new law to employees via posters, emails and through the
existing management structure - start now so your policy can be implemented
on or before 1st July 2007.

2) Liaise with staff and undertake a consultation on your proposed smoking
policy - make it clear what will happen to offenders.

3) Give notice of when the policy comes into force.

4) Update staff policy handbook

5) Provide staff with support to quit smoking.

6) Ensure staff know where they can smoke if they want to.

7) Ensure offenders are treated consistently.

*Taken from HM Revenue & Customs, Budget 2006, Company Car Evaluation Report. To view the report go to:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2006/company-car-evaluation.pdf

Digital Challenge - Sunderland Rides High!

ICT lessons in Sunderland

SUNDERLAND IS BIDDING to become a UK leader in the innovative use of ICT in the community.

The question is … who can win the Digital Challenge?

Pioneering work to bring technology 'to hard to reach groups' - through community based initiatives such as the e-Neighbourhoods Programme - earned Sunderland a place on the shortlist.

The winner, announced this Spring, receives several millions of government cash.

The final bid submission has been delivered to the judges from the Department of Communities and Local Government at the Digital Challenge headquarters in the City of London.

Shortlist candidates were awarded £120,000 for the latter stages of the competition, with judges assessing how effectively that money was invested to develop community based projects as the next stage of their bid.

Part of the Sunderland submission was provided by pupils at Southwick Primary School. They produced a film about their ideas of how Digital Challenge will change their lives, using the latest digital technology to give a class presentation on their school's history as practical illustration.

Details of the bid are accessible at www.sunderland.gov.uk/digitalchallenge.

Projects developed as part of the Digital Challenge include:

• Using the latest mobile telephone technology to provide carers and their loved ones with a communications lifeline to promote independent living, while also ensuring personal safety.
  
• Research and development of  'Flashmeeting' with the Open University. This enables people to carry out large or small-scale virtual conferences to discuss community issues.
  
• Developing mobile technology to act as a hand-held 'talking guide' to Sunderland which would be available to both the visually impaired and visitors to provide updates and information on safety, traffic and tourist information.
  
• Providing a multi-language and dialect translation service through technology to allow ethnic minorities to instantly access information.
  
  

Steve Williams, Corporate Head of ICT, Sunderland City Council commented, "Winning the Digital Challenge would give Sunderland people the opportunity to demonstrate just how powerful true community engagement can be.

"Nothing has been included in our proposal without the community's endorsement. Community leadership and involvement was the foundation for every aspect of each project.

"We take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the preparation of this proposal - in particular everyone at Southwick Primary School and Sunderland Carers Centre, and of course the people of Sunderland, without whom we couldn't have put this proposal together."

Margaret Fay Retains Role as RDA Chair

RDA Chair Margaret Fay

Margaret Fay OBE has been reappointed as chairman of regional development agency, One NorthEast, for another term.

Mrs Fay has been invited to serve another three years as chairman of the board by Margaret Hodge, Minister for Industry and the Regions. The reappointment will see Mrs Fay leading the Agency until December 2009.

Margaret Fay began her career with Tyne Tees Television in 1981 in the company's finance department, quickly rising through the ranks to eventually take over as Managing Director and General Manager in 1997.

During her time at Tyne Tees, Margaret Fay established strong relationships with the region's business and political communities and was keen to continue this role in the public sector when she took early retirement in 2003.

She was appointed chairman of One NorthEast in December 2003 and has since led the Agency through a sustained period of development. During that time Mrs Fay has championed a number of high-profile regional initiatives such as Newcastle Science City, the review of Business Link and the Agency's increased investment in rural areas.

At a national level, Mrs Fay has also represented RDAs working to influence ministers on issues such as the local government review, regeneration and planning policy and the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Mrs. Fay said: "It has been a real honour and pleasure to serve on the board of One NorthEast and I am pleased to be able to build on the work we have achieved as a region.

"Ever since I began with the Agency, I wanted to develop better relationships with our business community, listen to them, and ensure they had the support they needed. I think I have helped to do this and support investment in a number of important projects that will directly benefit our regional firms. The most recent of these being the board approving a £5m investment into the NEPA Energy Programme to help businesses cut their energy costs.

"Other highlights during my chairmanship, so far, include welcoming shipping giant Maerske to the region as they unveiled plans to open a Newcastle base, opening a family-run tearoom in Blanchland and cutting the first sod on the construction of Digital City in Middlesbrough.

"While the North East is in a good position to take advantage of new technologies and scientific advances that will provide the knowledge-based businesses and jobs of the future, there are still challenges ahead. The targets set in the new Regional Economic Strategy, show the scale of that challenge with more than 20,000 new businesses and 70,000 new jobs needed over the next decade to bring the region closer to the national average for productivity. I am pleased to remain with One NorthEast to help work towards these ambitious goals."

Margaret Hodge said: "Margaret Fay has brought energy and focus to the board of One NorthEast. I am pleased to extend the appointment for a further three years to continue the valuable work of leading the agency as a driver of economic development in the region".

Margaret Fay was awarded the OBE in June 2004 for services to broadcasting and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration in July 2004 from Sunderland University for her services to Broadcasting, Business and Regional Life. And in June 2005, President of Business in the Community (BITC), HRH The Prince of Wales appointed Mrs Fay as his ambassador for the North East.

The HRH The Prince of Wales's Ambassadors Award is given to individuals whose leadership and commitment to responsible business practice and the actions they have taken personally have created a positive impact both inside their company and on wider society.

Mrs Fay is a Board Member of English Partnerships, a non-executive Director of Darlington Building Society, a Governor of Teesside University and a Patron of the Tees Valley Community Foundation.

Born and raised in South Tyneside, Mrs. Fay still lives in the borough and has spent all of her working life in North East England.