All posts by Lisa Baker

News

Talented artist has brush with business success after global arts final

A TALENTED artist had a brush with success in a global conservation competition.

Sonia Garner was among the finalists selected from 1,000 entries across 47 countries in the Explorers Against Extinction Sketch for Survival contest, raising awareness of catastrophic issues including habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate change.

And now the mum-of-two, from Whitford near Holywell, is planning to open a studio, launch a new website and pursue a lifelong dream to turn her creative passion into a successful start-up.

Sonia has produced hundreds of pieces over the years, from acrylic and oil paintings to sculptures and soft pastel sketches.

With her strong social media following and the support of husband Mark and children Josephine and Kacie-Jane, she is ready to make the leap full-time.

Business Wales has been on hand with expert guidance and advice, and now – with the Sketch for Survival result giving her a boost in confidence – Sonia plans to turn her vision into reality.

“I have always painted and had a natural talent for it, but it’s only ever been something I did in the background,” said Sonia.

“I was very shy growing up and this was the only real way I could express myself, so it’s something that means a lot to me. I also absolutely love animals and wanted to be a vet when I was younger, so I guess painting them is the next best thing!

“To be chosen among the finalists by Explorers Against Extinction has given me extra belief that I can and should be doing what I love and taking it to the next level, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

The family business saw Sonia travel all over the UK and attend different schools – from Swinton to Doncaster – before settling in North Wales.

She worked in manufacturing and administration and has continued to sketch and paint in the background, but with a blank canvas and renewed belief the next step is to blend passion with commerce.

“I had wanted to be an art teacher when I did my degree, but that never came to be; it dawned upon me after years of working in administrative roles and being a mum to young children that I was going to have regrets if I didn’t do something about it,” said Sonia, a former Fine Art student at Liverpool John Moore’s University.

“I did put the brushes down for a while but in the past few years I’ve been prolific, it’s been non-stop, and not just animals as I’ve painted landscapes, seascapes, portraits and more.

“I can cover most subjects, but I do have a huge passion for wildlife and conservation, especially animals under threat of extinction, which is why I entered the competition with the portrait of a wild dog.

“That will now be auctioned off for the charity, so as well as the honour of being shortlisted the piece will help the organisation.”

Sonia is looking to give back to her community and feature in regional exhibitions, before opening a studio and meeting demand for her incredible artwork.

“I’m just going to go for it,” she said.

“Turning this into a business is a difficult thing to do because creative people tend not to be commercial, but I am very determined to make a sustainable success of this.

“It’s terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure but I’m excited to see where my art takes me.”

For more information, visit the website www.soniagarnerfineart.com and follow Sonia on social media at @soniagarnerartist.

For more on the friendly and accessible services available at Business Wales, including one-to-one support and mentoring, call 01745 585025 or visit www.businesswales.gov.wales/

News

North Wales college to host much-anticipated return of business and industry exhibition

THE much-anticipated return of North Wales Business Exhibition will unite industries and lay the foundations for a sustainable economy.

Coleg Cambria Deeside plays host to the event on Wednesday October 27 from 8am-2pm.

Organised by Deeside Business Forum (DBF), the focus is on bringing the private and public sectors together to capitalise on talent and skills in the region, to strengthen relations and build back from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 90% of exhibition space has already been taken by companies including Airbus, Toyota, DRB, HYNET, Cambria for Business, and Hanson Cement; Chester, Cardiff, Bangor and Wrexham Glyndwr universities will be among those appearing in a cutting-edge Innovation Zone.

DBF chairman Askar Sheibani says the theme of the day – Business for the New Reality/Innovation – will provide organisations of all sizes with guidance and advice, as well as networking opportunities.

“I am delighted we are able to hold the exhibition after such a tough time for all industries,” he added.

“While we are still cautious there is a lot of room for optimism and this is the time to show confidence, to come together for the economy of north east Wales and surrounding areas.

“We will have companies of all sizes in attendance, and there is so much we can do for each other, from research and development to the supply chain; there is a lot of business to be done, a lot of reasons to feel positive, so I’m really looking forward to this event and hope to see a great response on the day.”

The programme begins with a Mersey Dee Alliance (MDA) business breakfast before a presentation by Lord Barry Jones, President of the DBF and MDA, and various industry speakers.

Forums will take place across the venue on topics such as finance, net zero, international and skills.

Coleg Cambria’s Chief Executive Yana Williams says the college will be pivotal in supporting hard-hit arenas in the years ahead.

“Cambria works closely with industry to forge partnerships in education, business and other areas, so we are privileged to once again be hosting the exhibition and hope it will be of value to those who come along on the day,” she said.

“There will be representatives from some of the country’s leading anchor companies, as well as educators and different organisations across the region and beyond.

“This is an event not to be missed for any enterprise wanting to take the next steps after a challenging period, and to share best practice – we hope to see you there.”

For more information, to exhibit and register for the event, visit: www.deesidebusinessforum.co.uk and www.eventbrite.com/e/dbf-north-wales-business-exhibition-nwbe21-tickets-157071927363

Follow the hashtag #NWBE21 on social media and @DBF_Forum and @colegcambria for more.

News

Coleg Cambria and Bangor University unveil new partnership at £21m building launch

TWO leading education institutions have joined forces to target recovery and growth in sectors hard-hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Coleg Cambria and Bangor University will be working closely to develop new strategic pathways and support employers as they build back after a challenging period for all industries.

Cambria’s Chief Executive Yana Williams and Vice Chancellor of Bangor University, Professor Iwan Davies, announced the partnership at the formal opening of the college’s Hafod building at Yale in Wrexham today (Wednesday), where they were joined by Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language.

The £21m development was completed by Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction earlier this year, supported by the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme.

The Minister said: “I was really pleased to open the new Hafod building at Coleg Cambria. It’s a really impressive facility, which will be great for the students and staff.

“I’m delighted the Welsh Government could support this through our 21st Century School and Colleges programme.

“Thanks to the college for the welcome and best wishes to everyone who will be learning and working at Hafod.”

Together, Cambria and Bangor will bridge the gap between higher and further education and engage with multiple arenas on research, innovation and business engagement.

Among the collaborative projects proposed is a ‘Skills Factory’ in Deeside, with initial funding support from the HEFCW (Higher Education Funding Council for Wales) HEIR fund.

Ms Williams said they plan to further strengthen their relationship for learners and communities across North Wales and help reskill and upskill in priority areas.

“The collaboration will seek to target those most affected by Covid-19 and identify how we can work together to deliver solutions via training, industry partnerships and employers,” said Ms Williams.

“We are committed to ensuring learners across North Wales have access to agile and relevant further and higher education qualifications, and capitalising on the cutting-edge facilities we have in this region.

“We are in a challenging economic environment and both Coleg Cambria and Bangor University are determined to be at the forefront of the recovery, for our students, staff and communities.”

She added: “The Skills Factory is just one of the ways we will link with industry, addressing the challenges facing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) and the need for a highly-skilled, well-paid and inclusive workforce.

“We will also be prioritising health and social care, aerospace, construction and supporting potential for growth in sectors such as food and drink manufacturing, software engineering, data science, environment and sustainable development and nuclear and advanced manufacturing.

“As we rebound from the impact of the pandemic, we really want to reenergise and reskill for the benefit of this and future generations.”

Professor Davies said in committing to the partnership, Bangor University is reaffirming its pledge to deliver across the whole of North Wales, building pathways between the further and higher education sectors and supporting both employees and employers as they face a difficult new economic environment.

“Our approach embraces the diversity of the regional context and looks to deliver solutions that will span sectors, especially aerospace and construction, as they seek to rebound from the impacts of the pandemic, whilst also supporting the potential for growth sectors such as food and drink production manufacturing, software engineering, data science, environment and sustainable development, and nuclear and advanced manufacture,” he said.

“The Skills Factory will focus on sustainable models for delivery, embracing the Five Ways of Working set out in the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act, and will also bring to bear the excellent reputation of both organisations in sustainability and sustainable delivery.”

Ms Williams and Professor Davies were joined at the revolutionary Hafod building – a ‘commercial village’ driven by education, hospitality and retail – by members of the college’s leadership team, Chris Wynne, Managing Director of Wynne Construction, and the Minister.

Mr Wynne is “incredibly proud” of their project team for delivering the prestigious building, adding: “They navigated many challenges presented by COVID-19 while working on a live site as well as sharing the campus with students and staff.  Our number one priority was to ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone involved in the project and to produce a high-quality finish, which we achieved.

“Despite Covid-19, we achieved a 63% spend towards Welsh-based SMEs, six work experience placements, 360 training weeks for apprenticeships, and over 2,000 pupil interactions during the build.

“In addition, we were pleased to be working within Wrexham again and to continue with building a legacy and future for the construction industry.”

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for more news and information from Coleg Cambria.

For more on the wide range of degrees and qualifications available at Bangor University, visit the website: www.bangor.ac.uk

News

Recruiters pivot in the pandemic and unveil new faces ahead of jobs day takeover

AN AWARD-WINNING recruitment firm pivoted in the pandemic to meet demand for high-flying candidates.

S2 Recruitment – part of the Colwyn Bay and Bangor-based Supertemps Group – is focused on filling positions in managerial and executive roles, with a particular vacancy rise in areas such as HR, business analytics, IT, and finance.

Candice Chartrand is spearheading the department and says there has been a surge in applications and interest in past months.

Originally from Canada, the 33 year-old moved to the UK aged 21 and completed a degree in Business before working in visual merchandising and telesales and joining Supertemps two years ago.

After a challenging period for the industry, she says there has been an uplift in past months.

“S2 Recruitment was launched primarily to target the IT, executive and engineering sectors, and has been very successful in doing so over the last five years,” said Candice.

“However, since the beginning of the summer – as Coronavirus restrictions began to ease – we have seen more and more interest on the executive side, with a growing number of high-level senior positions coming in, notably in the business and finance arena.

“On a personal note, I am thrilled to have moved across from Supertemps to concentrate more on this side of the business as it’s an area we are looking to expand in the new year.

“Hopefully after such a difficult time for so many professions we continue to see things improve and candidates across the region eager to fill these exciting roles, roles which indicate recruitment confidence is on the rise.”

As well as taking on the S2 role earlier this year, Candice successfully achieved a Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice via the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) while in lockdown.

Supertemps Managing Director Sarah Ellwood praised her determination and diligence throughout the pandemic and said: “The lion’s share of Candice’s time with us has been spent working from home due to Covid-19, so she’s done incredibly well to gain this accreditation and make strides with the organisation.

“From Anglesey to Wrexham we are seeing an increase in jobs and it’s looking a lot more positive on the candidate side, so we are hopeful that continues.

“Job figures have been at record numbers, but companies have been struggling to recruit; anyone who has taken their time to make decisions has missed out, so we encourage people to get in touch if they need any support of advice.”

Most recent figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed unemployment fell to 4.6% in the three months to July, while the employment rate rose to 75.2%.

And data from HM Revenue & Customs showed the jobs boom continued in August, with payroll employment up by 241,000 on the month to match pre-pandemic levels. The number of unfilled positions hit 1.034m in the three months to August, the first time it has surpassed the 1m mark since the ONS started monitoring job advertisements 20 years ago.

For more information, visit www.s2recruitment.co.uk and follow them on social media @s2recruitment.

Visit www.supertemps.co.uk for more news and information from Supertemps.

Supertemps and S2 Recruitment will be hosting a takeover and recruitment day at M-SParc’s 31 Conway Road office in Colwyn Bay from 10am-6.30pm on Tuesday October 12. Information here: Recruitment Open Day – S2 Recruitment. There will be seminars on How to Write the Perfect CV and Traits of Successful Jobseekers, and advice and guidance for candidates and clients.

 

News

Cyclists on track to complete 250-mile mountain ride and raise £15k for music studio

CYCLISTS are on track to raise £15,000 for a music studio for disadvantaged children.

Wrexham Sounds chairman Chris Lloyd and a group of friends and supporters will journey more than 250 miles around the mountains of North Wales from October 7-10 to garner funds for the revamped social enterprise.

Chris hopes people will get behind the VELO 21 challenge to help pay for instruments and equipment that will transform the lives of young people through music.

“Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so far, we are almost a third of the way to our target but do need more people to get behind the campaign,” said Chris.

“Wrexham Sounds is an incredible project with a big future, I am honoured to be a volunteer director and part of such a brilliant team who are all focused on making music more accessible to children, especially those from challenging backgrounds.

“The services it will provide are needed now more than ever, as we emerge from the pandemic and restrictions continue to ease; many young people have been isolated and behind closed doors for so long they will need support and guidance in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, something we will provide through music, performance, dance and more.”

Chris added: “The bicycle ride is going to be a tough challenge over just three days, but we are in training and well-prepared.

“Please continue to support us and Wrexham Sounds – we look forward to sharing more news soon.”

Formerly Vic Studios, the not-for-profit organisation moved from the town’s Hill Street to Rhosrobin in the summer, having been closed for 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Led by directors Chris, Dave Gray and Caroline Richards, and General Manager Olivia Gallagher, they have been busy forging new partnerships and reconnecting with stakeholders and community groups, as well as renovating the new-look studios ahead of opening in the coming weeks.

As well as children and teenagers who will be referred via a range of local agencies and educators, there will be sessions for pupils unable to access music lessons at school, plus related activities for toddlers and infants.

For more information or to join the team at Wrexham Sounds as a freelance tutor or volunteer, visit www.wrexhamsounds.org and follow them on social media at @wrexhamsounds.

To sponsor and support Chris and the team taking on VELO 21, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/christopher-lloyd-1

NOTES: Wrexham Sounds is supported by Wales Council for Voluntary Action, The Community Fund, Thomas Howells North Wales Educational Fund, Temperance Hall Trust, Wrexham County Borough Council, Yamaha Music Europe, Arts Council Wales, Third Sector Resilience Fund, Moondance Foundation and AVOW.

News

College to get world-class skills boost after joining exclusive Centre of Excellence

COLEG CAMBRIA will get a world-class skills boost after being selected to join an elite training programme.

The north east Wales college is one of 12 institutions to become part of the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, in addition to 20 announced last autumn when the three-year pilot project was launched.

The Centre of Excellence – partnered and funded by educational charity and awarding body NCFE – will see more than 40,000 young students and apprentices – from all socio-economic groups across the UK – armed with world-class skills.

It aims to supercharge the quality and delivery of technical and vocational learning by transferring top-class expertise and knowledge to help develop educators and students.

Tutors at Cambria will receive exclusive ‘train the trainer sessions’ and 60 hours of intensive continual professional development.

The news comes after Cambria unveiled the largest WorldSkills UK cohort in Wales; 24 representatives who will take part in the competition this November across a range of subjects.

Chief Executive Yana Williams said it was a privilege to be included alongside some of the leading colleges and training providers in the UK.

“Coleg Cambria has a rich tradition of success at WorldSkills UK, so we are delighted to be named among the institutions chosen to join the Centre of Excellence,” she said.

“Every year we strive to improve and grow as an organisation, for our students, staff and the community.

“In partnership with some of this region’s leading lights in business and industry we have managed to do so and will have a wealth of experience and ability to contribute to this new Centre – we look forward to being a part of it.”

The UK Government recently cited the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence as a prime example of how it wanted organisations with the relevant expertise to provide high-quality training and development for teaching staff.

Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: “In order to deliver the world-class skills that employers demand to be internationally competitive, we need to invest in the educators that are training young people for the future.

“The Centre of Excellence is a radical new way of bringing global best practice to local economies. Mainstreaming excellence in training standards and delivering it directly to tens of thousands of young students and apprentices at their places of learning is key to levelling up the economy and attracting inward investment.

“This new phase of the project means that we are now supporting young people the length and breadth of the UK.”

The effectiveness of the programme will be tested by measuring impact on learners, educators, and institutions in order to continually develop and innovate.

This level of insight will help the organisations involved to develop a programme which will give more young people, irrespective of background, better work and life opportunities, and help boost economic productivity.

Visit www.worldskillsuk.org for more information on WorldSkills UK.

For more news and information from Coleg Cambria, visit www.cambria.ac.uk.

 

News

Pop-Punk rocker developing film and photography venture for entrepreneurs

A TALENTED musician who launched a creative business in lockdown is shooting for start-up success. 

Rob Grey is making waves with his new venture, Rad Stuff Photo Video.

With the support of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council’s (DVSC) Change Makers project, the 29 year-old is now winning contracts and clients across North Wales and beyond.

Based in Rhyl, Rob is lead singer of pop-punk band Everyone and Anyone and discovered his flair for the visual while on tour with another group who needed someone to capture their performances on camera.

Just months later he was making plans to unveil the business when disaster struck and COVID-19 hit the UK; but that did not stop Rob, who decided to “just go for it” and never looked back.

Since the start of 2021 he has been collaborating with Ruthin’s DVSC on the Change Makers initiative profiling businesses that set up or ‘pivoted’ during the pandemic, and is excited at what the future holds.

“When Covid arrived it was the complete unknown, but I knew I had to just go for it,” said Rob, a former pupil at Prestatyn High School.

“I have worked hard and learnt as I go, picking up clients via word of mouth and social media, particularly YouTube.

“Throughout lockdown I thought it would be a good opportunity to develop my video and photography skills, given we were all stuck indoors with time on our hands.

“I really enjoy it and was excited to work on this new series of films with Change Makers; it’s a chance to tell the stories of some interesting North Wales businesses and explore how they’ve coped with Covid-19.

“It has been a tough time for everyone, and we are mindful of that, but there are also a lot of people who grasped the opportunity to do something fresh and different; we want to tell their stories.”

Change Makers was made possible by the Welsh Government’s Foundational Economy Challenge Fund and is a catalyst for ideas and a new breed of social enterprise, embracing the promotion of contemporary artisan markets, traders and crafters, whilst providing emerging entrepreneurs and ‘startisans’ with training and advice on how to turn a hobby or passion into a new career.

Ali Carter, Enterprise and Investment Manager for DVSC, mentored Rob and co-produced the series.

“Rob is a young and dynamic creative who was not going to let the Coronavirus stop him from pursuing his dream,” she said.

“He is an example of someone with the passion and drive to be successful, much like the other entrepreneurs and start-ups we will work with in the future.

“Some have rolled with the punches and adapted to the challenges of Coronavirus, while others had time to reflect in lockdown and decided the time was right to do something different.

“We want to hear from people this applies to, people who, like Rob, just went for it and are making their mark during this unprecedented time in all of our lives.”

For more information contact ali@dvsc.co.uk.

You can view the videos via the DVSC social media channels (@DVSC_Wales) from this Friday (September 17).

Visit www.dvsc.co.uk for more on Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council.

News

18m power station bridge among exciting new projects for Anglesey engineers

A LEADING industrial manufacturer was given a huge lift during Covid after securing a series of major energy projects and taking on new staff.

Anglesey-based Mona Lifting has completed a raft of complex jobs over the past 12 months, most recently the design, manufacture and installation of an 18-metre maintenance footbridge at Maentwrog hydro-electric power station in partnership with Magnox Ltd.

Since launching 16 years ago, the business has grown from directors Steve Jones, Robin Evans and Anita Davies to almost 40 staff.

“Despite the challenges of Coronavirus this has been one of the busiest periods we’ve ever had, and we’ve employed more people,” said Steve, the Managing Director.

“As the company has grown, we have expanded our services to become a multi-discipline operation, which means working in numerous sectors and allowing us to be selective and take on bigger, more intricate projects that demand our experience and expertise.

“The bridge at Maentwrog was an example of that; logistically it was a tough task, sited on a mountainside at the top of the plant, so we had to use a helicopter to put it in place.

“But these are the kind of challenges we relish, and to work closely with Magnox Ltd – with whom we have a long-standing relationship – is a privilege for us.”

He added: “We have other big projects lined up in the months ahead, including the design and manufacture of overhead travelling cranes and structures for the decommissioning of a heavy water reactor at Magnox Ltd’s Winfrith site in Dorset.

“We also have international clients and recently manufactured a 105-tonne safe-working load tool for lifting the small Atlas Wheel at the Hadron Collider in CERN, Geneva, which was brilliant to be a part of.

“Overall, like many we have been in uncharted territory but are pleased to have been able to continue working and are looking ahead to the future with confidence.”

Meanwhile, the implementation of the bridge at Maentwrog was lauded by Andy McAteer, who manages the plant.

“Weather conditions were near-perfect for the operation to proceed,” he said.

“It was mesmerising to watch the helicopter pilot skilfully guide his craft to lift the bridge beams up to site, orientate them to their correct plane and guide them into position within the 2.9 metre space between the pipelines.

“It is a great credit to supply chain partners Mona Lifting and Heli-Lift Services for their extensive preparatory planning to ensure the installation was successfully completed.”

The design and fabrication of the structure took place over six months and included a mock-up and full trial assembly to ensure everything went perfectly on the day of installation.

Gethin Jones, Mona Group Operations Manager, said: “A team of 12, including two apprentices, worked on this unique project which began with a 3D dimensional scan of the site to ascertain the abutment points the new bridge would be attached to.

“We reformed one of the degraded abutments, erected scaffolding for site access and removed the former wooden structure.

“A traffic control team closed a section of highway so that the load could cross, and the bridge beam sections were flown about 700 metres to the site where a team of riggers and mechanical fitters carefully controlled the lowering of the bridge beams into place – it was some achievement.”

He added: “The Mona Group has worked with Magnox Ltd for 16 years manufacturing cranes, bespoke lifting devices, mechanical components and carrying out decommissioning work.

“The Maentwrog footbridge installation was a challenging and exhilarating experience for us and one that we were very proud to have been involved with.”

For more on Mona Lifting, visit www.monagroup.wales or email info@monagroup.wales Alternatively, call 01248 751300.