DOZENS OF NEW JOBS AS BUSINESSES SIGN UP TO KICKSTART SCHEME
Dozens of new jobs are being
created for young people across the region after a call from the Tees Valley mayor for businesses to make use of the government ’ s new Kickstart scheme .
Eighty-five new jobs are being created at 25 companies across Teesside , Darlington and Hartlepool as a result of the scheme , meaning the Tees Valley is one of the first places across the UK to submit its application to the government to provide work for youngsters .
The Kickstart scheme is a £ 2bn fund aimed at creating hundreds of thousands of high-quality six-month work placements for those aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of longterm unemployment .
In less than two weeks , there have been more than 250 expressions of interest in the scheme . Mayor Ben Houchen is hoping the initiative will create 500 jobs for young people across the Tees Valley , and if successful , these jobs will be available from November .
Companies that wish to employ 30 or more young people through the scheme can apply directly to the government , but firms looking to take on fewer must group together or have another organisation apply on their behalf .
To allow small and medium-sized companies in the Tees Valley to access this support and create jobs , mayor Houchen has pledged to lodge an application on their behalf .
Mayor Houchen said : “ We are not wasting any time and I am not making empty promises . I am putting my plan for jobs into action .”
Organisations that wish to take on a young person for six months should register their interest at teesvalleybusiness . com / kickstart-tees-valley .
Young people looking for jobs through the scheme should do so through Jobcentre Plus .
Tees companies called to back £ 200-a-ticket charity raffle
Many of Teesside ’ s leading
businesses are backing a unique
£ 200-a-ticket raffle to raise funds for struggling Teesside families – with a £ 5,000 holiday voucher among the prizes .
The raffle is being organised by Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation after the charity made the decision not to go ahead with its Annual Ball .
Held in the Grand Marquee at Wynyard Hall , last year ’ s ball raised £ 75,000 for local worthy causes , with a Who ’ s Who of Teesside businesses represented among more than 500 guests .
However , this year ’ s ball is the latest victim of Covid-19 – although chair of trustees Lee Bramley has promised it will return next year when the foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary .
In its place this year , the foundation is asking Teesside businesses to support its unique prize draw , which will be drawn on October 9 , when the Foundation ’ s ball would have taken place .
Raffle ticket numbers are strictly limited . Visit cafdonate . cafonline . org / 14268 #!/ DonationDetails .
BUSINESS BITES
NEWS
LIONS NET NEW SPONSORS Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen paid a visit to Teesside Lions Basketball Club to welcome five commercial partners ahead of the new season .
The club has attracted worldwide interest after signing Great Britain coach Marc Steutel and an impressive team led by 7ft Theo Turner in their bid to bring professional basketball to Teesside .
IT services provider Concept IT has signed up to sponsor the team ’ s game warm-up tops for the second year .
To find out more visit TeessideLions . com .
FREE EXPERT-LED WORKSHOPS The Teesside University-led DigitalCity initiative is holding a series of free online workshops and bespoke mentoring opportunities for SMEs based in the Tees Valley .
Led by industry experts , the workshops cover key themes for businesses during this challenging time .
The region ’ s business leaders and managers are invited to attend and learn alongside like-minded peers during the fully-funded afternoon sessions .
To register your interest in the workshops or to discuss other support options available , visit thedigitalcity . com .
SURGE IN SALES FOR NEW YARM HOMES A new housing development in Yarm has seen a surge in sales post lockdown , with 25 homes being snapped up following the lifting of restrictions .
Bellway is building new homes at Conyers Green , off Green Lane .
Around 70 per cent of the 168 properties being built for private sale have now been purchased .
Oliver Wray , sales manager for Bellway Durham , said : “ The high level of sales since lockdown is partly a result of pent-up demand following several weeks of inactivity in the housing market .”
CPI SIGNS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS Teesside-headquartered CPI has signed partnership agreements with Siemens , Perceptive Engineering and Process Systems Enterprise to form part of a collaboration for the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre .
The partnership agreements will help strengthen the UK ’ s position as a global leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing through the development of continuous manufacturing innovations .
Each partner will contribute to the development of a digital manufacturing solution , which will help the pharmaceutical industry as it moves towards smaller batches of more personalised medicines that require faster and more efficient manufacture .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 9