Peterlee news
Peterlee boss drives foundation on
Women engineers advance in Peterlee
The Open North Foundation , which has supported Covid-19 hit businesses in the Wear region , continues to attract donations – the latest from commercial law firm Muckle LLP .
And the head of the charity says funds are likely to be needed more than ever once the government-supported furlough scheme ends .
Peterlee-based businessman Richard Swart , chair of ONF , and global sales director at Bergers said : “ While we are seeing the easing of the majority of restrictions , let us not forget the furlough scheme will soon end and the impact of Covid-19 upon the region ’ s businesses will be felt for a long time to come .”
Onwards for Seawards
Global technology leader ZF marked International Women in Engineering Day this year with the appointment of another female engineering apprentice .
Beth Parodi started work as a Level-3 SQA apprentice .
Having completed her probationary period with the Peterlee company , Beth is now working towards the many technical elements of her three-year apprenticeship .
She joins fellow engineering employee Holly Herron , who is into her third and final year of a Level-3 maintenance technician apprenticeship .
Once she has completed the qualification , Holly will hopefully move onto an engineering HNC .
Beth , 19 , from Sunderland – pictured above with her colleague Lee Faccinhi – said : “ I am really enjoying my apprenticeship , it ’ s such a diverse role and I am learning lots of new skills .
“ I aim to do really well so that when I have
completed my apprenticeship , I can move up in the company .”
Both Beth and Holly have been recruited through Sunderland College , ZF Peterlee ’ s long-term apprenticeship partner .
Holly said : “ ZF is an excellent company to work for and from day one everyone has been so supportive .
“ I am currently working through the final year of my apprenticeship , after which I ’ m aiming to complete an engineering HNC , which I really hope will put me in the ideal position to move up within the company .” ZF Peterlee , which employs around 900 people , is a worldwide leader in the production of automotive camera safety technology , with millions of pounds of investment committed in the last few years to support the continued growth of the market .
Business estate ’ s significant expansion
Computer boost for charities
An expanding electrical test and measurement company in Peterlee has taken on 17 new starters as it looks to meet demand amid continued international growth .
The new posts at Seaward are in logistics , design engineering , customer service , operations and purchasing roles as the company ramps up work at its head office and manufacturing facility on the Bracken Hill industrial estate .
With an office also in Tampa , Florida , Seaward currently employs around 170 people working in electronic test and measurement instruments used across electrical , medical , industrial and energy sectors .
The new jobs come on the back of an increase in sales revenues across all sectors in 2021 .
One of Peterlee ’ s leading industrial estates is getting a major redevelopment on a 2.58-acre site .
The move on the Bracken Hill Business Park – home of the former Gemini office block – will bring back into use a once leading site that fell into disuse .
The new industrial redevelopment will consist of nine units ranging from between 5,400 sq ft and 7,400 sq ft .
Collectively the units will create a total of 55,475 sq ft of new commercial space and the site will also include 80 car parking spaces .
A Peterlee company has led an initiative to encourage people to part with their old laptops and desktops in a bid to help charities and those they support to get online
Protech City , based at Bracken Hill Business Park , partnered with Sunderland City Council to launch the GO ! ( Get Online ) Scheme offering low-cost computer equipment to registered charities which are members of the VCS Area Networks .
Once the donated equipment was cleaned and upgraded , registered charities and VCS organisations were able to buy laptops and desktop computer equipment with Windows 10 for £ 120 to distribute and share with digitally excluded people / households at the same time as providing support to residents to improve their digital skills .
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