Graduate Training Academy to provide real world opportunities as the economic bounce back gets underway.

Graduate Training Academy to provide real world opportunities as the economic bounce back gets underway.

Established accountancy practice Bevan Buckland LLP is pleased to announce the launch of its 2020 Graduate Training Academy. 

The launch comes after years of successful apprenticeships and graduate training opportunities. The Firm’s 2020 recruitment campaign will look to offer opportunities to individuals who have the ambition and resilience to become chartered accountants and business advisors. The recruitment campaign is a sign of the Firm’s continued investment in growth and talent development despite the economic uncertainty the Coronavirus pandemic has created throughout the UK and globally.

“We are pleased to launch the Bevan Buckland LLP Graduate Training Academy and we look forward to welcoming some new recruits. We have a long history of taking on apprentices and graduates, with a very high percentage staying on with Bevan Buckland LLP to further their careers,” said Harri Lloyd Davies, Partner at Bevan Buckland LLP.

With both technical and softer business skills both high on the agenda; successful applicants will gain experience in accounts, audit and tax as well as the skills they need to be highly effective individuals who work well in a team and in partnership with others. A significant element of the academy’s framework is the fully sponsored and prestigious professional accountancy qualification that successful applicants will undertake in order to gain chartered status.

“Skill and talent development continue to be high priority even in these uncertain times. We are looking to invest in and develop future professionals who enjoy being challenged and have the drive, confidence and resilience to get things done. Our Academy offers a clear development path within a well-respected and forward-thinking Firm with a clear vision for the future,” added Vanessa Thomas-Parry, Bevan Buckland LLP’s Learning and Development Manager.

You can get more information about Bevan Buckland LLP’s Graduate Training Academy by visiting the Firm’s website.

Bevan Buckland LLP

College supports NHS and local communities during Coronavirus crisis

College supports NHS and local communities during Coronavirus crisis

Gower College Swansea has been working closely with Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB) as well as employing other initiatives in support of the fight against Covid-19.

Over the past month, staff at Gower College Swansea have been delivering All Wales Manual Handling Passport Training to returning frontline hospital staff, medical students, care workers and health care assistants. To ensure everyone’s safety, training sessions are being delivered to small cohorts of students, ensuring social distancing guidelines are adhered to at all times.

To date, over 100 individuals have already received the training in readiness for them to work on the frontline. Training has taken place at Phillips Parade in Swansea, which has mock wards containing hoists and other beneficial training equipment. All training is fully funded through the Welsh Government’s Skills Development Fund.

In addition to physical training sessions, the College have provided the NHS with latex gloves, hand sanitiser and OHP sheets that can be used as visors when creating PPE. Whilst College campuses remain closed, the College has also been able to donate all unused food and drink from canteens, vending machines and other facilities to two local food banks.

Gower College Swansea’s employability team, through the Better Jobs, Better Futures programme, have been offering their support to assist with the high volume of job applications that local hospitals are currently receiving. The team are also waiting for the green light to carry out telephone interviews whilst SBUHB looks to recruit a large number of staff for its temporary field hospital on Swansea’s Fabian Way.

“We are really appreciative of the continued support from Gower College Swansea throughout these uncertain times” adds Ruth Gates, Learning and Development Project Manager at SBUHB.

“The quick response from College staff has enabled us to increase the delivery of programmes needed for both new and existing staff to fulfil new roles.”

“We are also working with the College on developing new ways of delivery to allow staff to complete work and have this assessed virtually. The recruitment support from the College’s Better Jobs, Better Futures team has been vital in securing new staff, with many of their referred clients being successful in gaining positions with us.”

Paul Kift, Director of Skills and Business Development at the College said “The College prides itself on being at the very heart of our communities. As the NHS is clearly at the forefront of fighting this challenge, we want to provide them with whatever help we can. The response from my colleagues, who have volunteered to support those on the frontline, has been both remarkable and humbling – as are the efforts of those we are helping.”

Amidst all of this, College staff have continued to work remotely and have been showing their ongoing support for the NHS and all other key workers with a ‘Clap for Key Workers’ video that was shared across all College social media platforms.

Gower College Swansea

College strengthens business focus by joining the South Wales Chamber of Commerce

College strengthens business focus by joining the South Wales Chamber of Commerce

Gower College Swansea have announced that they have become a member of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce.  

Over the last five years the College’s work based learning programmes have gone from strength to strength, working closely with many businesses across the UK. The growth of its business-to-business work has been a key factor in establishing itself as one of the leading colleges in Wales.

The College has already developed strong partnerships with organisations, including TATA Steel, FRF Motors and HMT Sancta Maria Hospital. Boasting a membership of over 500 companies from within the region, the Chamber provides a fantastic platform for the College to continue to form relationships with some of the most reputable businesses across Wales.

Stuart Davies, Business Development Consultant at the College said, “We pride ourselves on the support that we provide to employers in delivering their learning strategies. Given that we are working with so many Welsh businesses, joining a body as reputable as the South Wales Chamber of Commerce makes perfect sense as we seek to broaden our engagement and be part of the voice for Welsh business.”

Heather Myers, CEO of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce adds, “We are delighted to welcome Gower College Swansea to the South and Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce and look forward to supporting them with the amazing work they are doing in their region which will benefit the membership and introduce them to new markets and connections.”

Gower College

Event Report – Community Rail Partnership

Event Report – Community Rail Partnership

South West Wales Community Rail Partnership Event

Friday 24TH January 2020

Swansea Train Station

On Friday 24th January, 4theRegion held a launch event for the community rail partnership. This is our write up of the event, intended to capture the key discussion points and themes.

Event report

In partnership with Transport for Wales (Rail), 4theRegion is now host to a new Community Rail Partnership for South West Wales, covering the four counties of Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. 

Held at the Grand Hotel opposite Swansea Train Station, the Community Rail Partnership launch event brought together people and organisations from across the region, to discuss the potential to make change happen for the region, by working together under the banner of the new CRP.

The Community Rail Partnership seeks to connect a team of organisations, businesses and individuals who want to see the region flourish in alignment with the 7 well-being goals outlined in the Well-being of Future Generations Act. By maximising the beneficial impact of the rail networks and existing services, we can aim to generate more footfall, spending and activity within the heart of communities across the South West Wales region. 

The new CRP will aim to engage with communities, businesses and organisations along the South West Wales rail network in order to champion all of the unique identities of each location, create a shared sense of place and facilitate collaboration towards achieving greater social, environmental and economic value in the region.

emerging themes

  • The creation of a South West Wales Community Rail Partnership a benefit to local communities – The CRP can be utilised as a voice to improve transportation in the region, providing a beneficial effect on local economy.
  • Cycling, leisure and transport – Better joined up working between different modes of transport. Opportunities for better cycle storage on Transport for Wales. Promotion of accessible information regarding cycle routes to encourage leisure and tourism in the region.  
  • Local economical and environmental benefits – Using sustainable transport to reduce the carbon footprint of individuals in the region. How would we encourage commuters to leave their car and use the rail network?
  • Disused spaces along rail networks could be used as hubs for business and social enterprise. Transport for Wales want to see train stations developed into hubs for business and community use.  Vacant station buildings could be adopted and repurposed.  Train stations could play a bigger role in local communities, bringing people together, addressing social exclusion and community cohesion.
  • Inter-connectivity and identity – Aim to bridge the four regions of South West Wales. Celebrating the unique identities of local destinations would benefit a wide range of businesses and individuals.

challenges

  • Timetables don’t always align to local events – Improved travel synchronisation with major events such as sport and festivals could be beneficial to the regional economy.
  • Community transport connectivity – Public transport services require improved connectivity and delivery of travel information in order to encourage commuting via public transport.
  • Accessibility – Promotion of South West Wales as a region. People may not be aware of what’s on their doorstep due to lack of communication and distribution of information.
  • Transport, travel and the environment – Key challenges in a world needed to reduce carbon emissions whilst promoting access to the natural environment. How can we encourage people to consider public transport as the first option?
  • Frustrations over limited / unreliable services.  While the CRP can build a business case for continued investment in more trains and services, the purpose of the new CRP for South West Wales is not just to talk about the trains, but to leverage the benefit of the services we already have, to connect the regional offer and encourage more joint working.

 

NEXT STEPS

During this first conversation about the new Community Rail Partnership, we heard from diverse organisations and individuals, about their priorities and ideas.  4theRegion has subsequently drafted a document outlining the purpose of the new CRP, its proposed structure, and a job description for the new Community Rail Officer.  These documents are will be published during March 2020, but you can review the drafts at the following link.  Please get in touch with your thoughts and with any questions!

Community Rail Partnership for South West Wales – Mission & Structure

All questions and comments should be directed to dawn@4theregion.com and zoe@4theregion.com