Young people from across the UK were given the opportunity to gain the skills they need to help them into sustainable employment when they visited Gist as part of a nationwide campaign to tackle youth unemployment.
Following the success of a pilot project in 2012, the entire food and grocery industry has launched Feeding Britain's Future - Skills for Work Month 2013 and is helping youngsters across the country get into work.
Gist, based at Chineham Park is one of the few logistics companies taking part in the scheme, giving young people a different viewpoint of the foods industry. As well as farms, factories and retail stores participants can see the entire supply chain and the broad range of career opportunities available in the industry.
Feeding Britain's Future, led by research charity IGD, is the first initiative of its kind, giving young people firsthand knowledge of the skills needed for a career in the food industry or elsewhere. Participants received CV and interview sessions with members of Gist's management team to help them develop their employability skills and improve their chances of getting a job. As well as workshops to improve their soft skills, all participants had the chance to speak to other employees about their careers and experiences in the workplace and see practical operational skills carried out, such as using voice technology systems to pick orders for food retail stores. This enabled them to see how the business is run and the wide range of careers available in the industry.
"Last year four of our sites took part in the project and we felt like we made a real difference to the young people who attended. We offered participants interviews for seasonal work and some were given temporary jobs during our Christmas peak period. We were very keen to take part again this year and I'm delighted that so many of our sites got involved." Said Karen Harrington, Project Manager - Gist Foundation.
"Gist is proud to have been a part of this scheme for the second year running, it's not only a great opportunity for these young people to gain employability skills but it gives them an insight into the broad range of career opportunities there are in the foods industry. Through this scheme, together with our apprenticeship, industrial placement and graduate schemes, we hope to provide many young people with excellent career opportunities." Said Martin Gwynn, Chief Executive, Gist.
The food and grocery industry is the UK's biggest private sector employer providing 3.7m - or one in seven - jobs and there are a huge range of careers on offer. Young people got a chance to learn about supply chain in the food and grocery industry when they visited Gist in September. Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive, IGD, said: "The UK food and grocery industry employs 3.7 million people - making us Britain's biggest private sector employer. With that scale comes responsibility - we have a vital role to play in tackling youth unemployment by sharing our advice and experience."
Monday 7 October 2013
Keeping cool is big business for Labcold
Labcold, leading specialist manufacturer of medical and laboratory refrigerators and freezers, is doubling the size of its premises thanks to increased sales across both product and service divisions here in the UK and across the globe.
Founded in 1932 and based in the area for the past 40 years, Labcold is moving to Chineham Park where an existing building is being extended to accommodate the company's growth. Robin Gregson, managing director of Labcold, explains," Labcold has experienced growth in turnover year on year. The additional space afforded by the move to Cherrywood cannot come quickly enough to meet our existing requirements to provide our products and services to the medical and scientific community and will allow the company to significantly increase it’s portfolio in the future. "
Labcold is a key supplier of medical refrigeration to the NHS and private hospital chains across the UK and beyond. Already accredited to ISO9001 standard, Labcold were the first UK manufacturer to gain medical device certification for their range of blood product storage cabinets. Labcold products can be found in la variety of laboratories, both public and private, and in diverse places such as RN submarines and the Antarctic, indeed anywhere where tight temperature tolerances and safety are paramount.
Rupert Batho, managing director of Chineham Park, adds, "Labcold's growth is another Basingstoke success story and we are proud to welcome this market leading company to Chineham Park. Their growth has meant that Chineham Park has also needed to grow and we are extending 1 and 2 Cherrywood by 10% to a total size of 35,000 sq ft to meet Labcold's requirements.
Founded in 1932 and based in the area for the past 40 years, Labcold is moving to Chineham Park where an existing building is being extended to accommodate the company's growth. Robin Gregson, managing director of Labcold, explains," Labcold has experienced growth in turnover year on year. The additional space afforded by the move to Cherrywood cannot come quickly enough to meet our existing requirements to provide our products and services to the medical and scientific community and will allow the company to significantly increase it’s portfolio in the future. "
Labcold is a key supplier of medical refrigeration to the NHS and private hospital chains across the UK and beyond. Already accredited to ISO9001 standard, Labcold were the first UK manufacturer to gain medical device certification for their range of blood product storage cabinets. Labcold products can be found in la variety of laboratories, both public and private, and in diverse places such as RN submarines and the Antarctic, indeed anywhere where tight temperature tolerances and safety are paramount.
Rupert Batho, managing director of Chineham Park, adds, "Labcold's growth is another Basingstoke success story and we are proud to welcome this market leading company to Chineham Park. Their growth has meant that Chineham Park has also needed to grow and we are extending 1 and 2 Cherrywood by 10% to a total size of 35,000 sq ft to meet Labcold's requirements.
Deb’s beauty salon celebrates 10 years at Chineham Park
Deb’s beauty salon which is located upstairs in Fitness First, Spindlewood, is celebrating 10 years of business.
When Deb first started out, she was in just one treatment room. Since then, she has expanded her work space to two treatment rooms and has taken on three employees.
Deb said: “Over the last ten years I have notice how technology has improved treatments, such as gelfx nails which are more durable, dry immediately, have high shine and are chip free for at least two week as opposed to traditional nail polish. Also the science behind some of the treatments has improved, meaning that with treatments such as the dermalogica facials we all have to have the proper training which is dermalogica accredited.
“Being at Chineham Park for the last 10 years has allowed me to expand my business without having to move location, which makes things easier for me and my clients.”
Wendy Scott, customer manager at MEPC Chineham Park said: “Having a business such as Deb’s salon based on the Park helps create another amenity for other businesses on the Park to use. The location of her salon makes it really convenient for people to get a quick manicure during their lunch break. We are really pleased that Deb’s business has grown and continues to be successful.”
When Deb first started out, she was in just one treatment room. Since then, she has expanded her work space to two treatment rooms and has taken on three employees.
Deb said: “Over the last ten years I have notice how technology has improved treatments, such as gelfx nails which are more durable, dry immediately, have high shine and are chip free for at least two week as opposed to traditional nail polish. Also the science behind some of the treatments has improved, meaning that with treatments such as the dermalogica facials we all have to have the proper training which is dermalogica accredited.
“Being at Chineham Park for the last 10 years has allowed me to expand my business without having to move location, which makes things easier for me and my clients.”
Wendy Scott, customer manager at MEPC Chineham Park said: “Having a business such as Deb’s salon based on the Park helps create another amenity for other businesses on the Park to use. The location of her salon makes it really convenient for people to get a quick manicure during their lunch break. We are really pleased that Deb’s business has grown and continues to be successful.”
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