Issue 22 | Page 7

NEWS The value of work experience Panel - (from left) Ben Houchen, Jerry Hopkinson and Philip Aldridge took part in a Tees Business Leaders debate on the Tees Business Facebook page. Freeport is “ours to lose” – mayor Teesside is in the best position to be named a designated freeport area – and it could be up and running by next year. Speaking to Tees Business in our Business Leaders Facebook Live interviews (in association with FW Capital), mayor Ben Houchen said the earliest any government announcement could be made is likely to be November. How it will look and where any potential boundary could be drawn are still up for debate. The North East Process Industry Cluster’s Philip Aldridge is drawing up the consultation response on behalf of Teesside’s vast process and chemical industry cluster and firmly believes the Wilton International and North Tees chemical sites should be included. If Teesside is successful in its bid for the status, which would provide special freedoms to trade within a specific area around the port, creation could be as early as May 2021. A consultation process on the issue ended on July 13. Mr Houchen said the government will now consider all submissions before making any decision on if, when and where in the UK freeport status might be granted. “It is absolutely ours to lose,” he said. “We are in the best position. “We have a chancellor who is extremely keen to see Teesside succeed and we actually helped physically design the policy that’s being discussed in Treasury at the moment.” The case for a freeport on the River Tees has already been well documented, with the potential to create thousands of jobs and add billions of pounds to the region’s economy. IT EXPERTS ON HAND DURING CRISIS The moment lockdown was announced, many Tees Valley workers packed up their laptops and created temporary office space in kitchens, lounges and bedrooms. The exodus brought with it a deluge of problems for the region’s IT support experts, such as LaneSystems. The Stockton-based company was instrumental in many smooth transitions from office to home – and its team continues to offer first class solutions and support for Covid-impacted clients. “Initially we saw a huge surge in demand for laptops,” says Lane’s business consultant Toni Stratton (pictured). “It was a great feeling to be able to provide vital support and loan equipment which we did from day one, despite a few staff being placed on furlough.” One issue that LaneSystems feels is of paramount importance in these most unusual of times is cyber security. “Hacks increased by 60 per cent in the first six weeks of lockdown,” says Toni. “So it’s vitally important to know your security options and be wary of potential problems. LaneSystems can protect company data and information from vulnerability.” With the full LaneSystems team now back at work, specialist help and advice is even more readily available. If you already work with another provider, ask them about vulnerability testing. “The bulk of our business is IT support and we’re here to help you get through this dreadful virus the best we can,” concludes Toni. For more information, visit lanesystems.co.uk Work experience is an integral part of a student’s first steps into the world of law. It can help students decide if they wish to start a career in law and what area of law they might practice. At Jacksons, we have a range of students attending the office regularly on work experience placements, from those embarking on their GCSEs to those studying their law degree at university. These students are able to work with our solicitors to gain first-hand experience. Given the current circumstances, we are unable to welcome students through our doors. However, we set up a virtual work placement scheme which could be undertaken during lockdown. The scheme is made up of two areas of law – private client and property. The activities for each area are split into three different tiers to accommodate the different stages of education students may be at. The first tier is a questionnaire aimed at all students with the second and third tiers being for students who are at university. The best entry from each week wins a practice interview with a member of staff from Jacksons. We have been pleasantly surprised at the number of entries we have received. Joshua Cela, second year student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said: “Developing my submission to participate in Jacksons’ work experience scheme has been extremely insightful.” The work placement scheme is still open for entries and can be found on our website, jacksons-law.com. Rebecca Webster Trainee solicitor, Jacksons Law Firm The voice of business in the Tees region | 7