HARTLEPOOL NEWS
Agency staff earn permanent contracts
Funding helps project for young unemployed fly high
Unemployed young people in Hartlepool now have access to a special advice hub set up by the Big League CIC with the help of a £ 2,000 grant .
Tata Steel business-support subsidiary UKSE ’ s Community Support Fund has backed the organisation ’ s Phoenix Project , designed to help young people into employment with practical advice on careers , writing CVs and job searches , as well as building skills and self-confidence .
The funding has helped to transform a former storeroom at the Burbank Community Centre into a training room with new flooring , redecoration and a wellequipped IT suite .
Sam Hunter , community and funding manager at the Big League , said : “ We have already been working with a number of unemployed young people , aged from around 16 to 24 , and it has been so
Guidance – pictured ( from left ): Hannah Cawley , Sam Hunter and Angela Taylor of the Big League CIC with Sarah Thorpe of funder UKSE in the new Advice Hub set up to help Hartlepool ’ s young unemployed .
rewarding to see how they have risen to the challenge and are making real progress .
“ This latest project wouldn ’ t have been possible without the help from UKSE , alongside support from the National Lottery and two local businesses .
“ It means that we now have the facilities to help more than 250 young people during the coming year with a drop-in service and workshops .
“ The project is about raising aspirations , helping to improve the employability prospects of young people in Hartlepool , reducing poverty and strengthening the community .”
Sarah Thorpe , UKSE regional manager , said : “ Our Community Support Fund is there to back a whole range of projects that improve the lives of people living in our steel areas .”
For details call 01642 777 777 or visit ukse . co . uk .
Global automotive manufacturer TMD Friction has announced that 85 agency workers have been taken on permanently within the business .
The move comes as the Hartlepool-based company , which produces 95 per cent of brake pads for Europe ’ s after-market and currently manufactures almost half a million parts per week , continues to scale up production to meet client demand .
It is the first time in TMD Friction ’ s history that so many temporary workers have been offered permanent jobs .
Tom Russell , UK operations manager , said : “ This is a significant move for TMD Friction and will make a huge difference in terms of our production outputs .”
Café named among UK ’ s top apprenticeship employers
A Hartlepool café has been named as one of the country ’ s most outstanding apprenticeship employers .
Place in the Park , in Ward Jackson Park , was recognised by the Department for Education for its vital work boosting career opportunities for local people .
The business has worked with Northern Skills , the apprenticeship and training arm of Middlesbrough College Group , for more than four years to upskill staff and bring in new talent .
It was ranked an impressive 25th in the Top 50 National SME Apprenticeship Employers 2022 .
For more information on Northern Skills ’ apprenticeship scheme for employers , visit northernskills . co . uk / employers .
Station transformation on track as plans approved
The transformation of Hartlepool Station has taken a major step forward after plans for the major overhaul were given the green light by Hartlepool Council .
Proposals will see the station ’ s redundant second through platform brought back into use with a new replacement platform , plans also new lifts and a footbridge for improved access .
The works will help provide more capacity to enable future service for routes including those between London and Sunderland operated by Grand Central .
Northern services which connect Hartlepool with Middlesbrough , Newcastle and other key economic centres on the Durham Coast rail line are also in line for enhancement as a result .
Renewable energy business unveils development plans
A global renewable energy company has unveiled plans for a new development near Hart village in Hartlepool .
Europe ’ s largest generator of renewable energy , Statkraft , hopes to build on land on the outskirts of the town , close to the A179 .
The company says the proposed development would help make the UK ’ s electricity grid stable and more environmentally friendly .
Statkraft says it will allow more renewable power to be used in homes , reduce emissions equivalent and keep electricity bills down .
If it gains planning permission , Statkraft says it will set up a fund worth at least £ 600,000 to Hart residents for the project ’ s lifetime .
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