Help at Home gardening and DIY vacancies
Age UK is seeking people to work on a casual basis on gardening and DIY projects for mature residents in South Worcestershire.
Unified Communications – Expressions of Interest by email - deadline 27th April 2012
Worcester City Council (the Council) is inviting expressions of interest for the provision of a telephone system and some additional telephony requirements including facilitating the introduction of unified communications.
The Council requires a service provider to provide, install and provide maintenance for:
• A new telephone system for Worcester City Council.
• A shared call logging system for Worcester City Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council.
• A shared SIP trunk for Worcester City Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council.
The Council also requires the service provider to provide calls and lines for Worcester City Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council.
The successful service provider must have experience of providing, installing and maintaining the above requirements including the following:
• A new VOIP PABX, handsets, licenses and implementation for 210 - 260 users.
• For the system to connect to the local BT exchange via a SIP exchange trunk rather than the existing 60 ISDN and 8 POTS lines (lines and call charges will be a separate procurement).
• Integration of the PABX with Microsoft Office Communications Server (or Lync Server) for the unified communications provision.
• Integration with Oracle SunRay desktop devices and their smart card readers for a single log on to both computer and telephone systems.
• The ability to share the SIP exchange trunk with other councils already connected to Worcester City by point to point IP data links.
• A call logging system that can provide discrete reports for each council sharing the SIP exchange trunk.
If you would like to express an interest in delivering this contract, please contact Darrell Pulver at
darrell.pulver@worcester.gov.uk to request a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ).
Completed PQQs must be returned by email by no later that 5.00pm on Friday 27th April 2012.
Business opportunity for local furniture makers and retailers!
If you make or sell beautiful bedroom, living or dining furniture out of natural materials this is an opportunity which you need to know about.
Valley Views is the latest Eco Home to reach completion in Worcestershire. Situated to the north of the county, in Shrawley,
Valley Views is a unique, energy saving and spacious dwelling which cries out for unusual or contemporary furniture.
This is the perfect opportunity for local artisans to use the house, recently featured in the
Sunday Telegraph magazine and is also
listed in The Times Top Ten Eco Homes, as a backdrop to beautiful furniture which befits this lovely setting.
Photography Competition
The designer and self-builder, Mark Edwards, is offering, exclusive to FSB Members, the chance to win a free half day photo location for their own publicity photo shoot* at Valley Views. The winner, whether a local artisan or retailer, will gain use the Eco Home as a backdrop for their creations, whether furniture, fabrics, rugs, art or ‘objects' to show the rooms off to their best.
The Eco Home comprises a light and airy ground floor sculpted into three zones which includes: a spacious kitchen with unique sculpted surface, setting the scene for not only cooking, but also dining, relaxing and lounging. Professionally equipped even the Kitchen sink is British designed in a curve and Swiss engineered for precision you will really enjoy, a dining area which any dinner guest would be pleased to enjoy and an all important area for relaxation.
The first floor includes a vaulted master bedroom & hallways, all of which offer the
most eye-catching photo opportunities.
To find out more about the photographic potential, energy efficiencies, architectural
attaching a photo of your favourite piece of furniture, artwork etc. The
competition closes on 21th April and notification will be sent to all entrants by
24th April .
Good luck!
*Whilst Mark Edwards would like the winner to enjoy the photo shoot prize he
requires nothing to be hung on the walls etc. and that soft shoes are worn on the
broad oak floorboards and golden limestone flooring. The prize includes full use of
the property and gardens, the winner to bring their own photographic equipment and
photographer.
Redditch Borough Council seeks tenders from caterers
Redditch BC invities expressions of interest from suitably qualified companies for the proposed delivery of a catering service at Forge Mill Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre.
The contract will commence in 2012 for a three year duration with the option to extend for up to a further two years maximum depending on the successful bidders performance in all areas of the operation.
Are you a small business looking to move into renewable engergies installation?
Free training, funded by a range of local authorities is available to sole traders, small and medium sized businesses.
HEREFORD OLD MARKET DEVELOPMENT 2012/2013
FOLLOW-UP TO THE ‘MEET THE CONTRACTOR' EVENT ON 1 DECEMBER 2011
IF YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT TO THE MEET THE CONTRACTOR EVENT ON 1ST DECEMBER BUT WOULD LIKE TO FILE YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IN TENDER OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS A RANGE OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ACROSS HEREFORDSHIRE DOWNLOAD THE PDF HERE.
The ‘Meet the Contractor' event held by Stanhope and Sir Robert McAlpine teams at the Old Market Tavern on Newmarket Street on 1st December 2011 attracted about 250 business people.
In general the feedback has been most positive. The 2pm session exceeded all attendance expectations and led to an early second briefing at 3pm for those that waited. Numbers during the early afternoon meant that personal one-on-ones with the Stanhope and the Sir Robert McAlpine teams regrettably was just not possible for everyone. This was better achieved later mid-afternoon and around the 6pm session, which was also well attended.
This event was only the beginning for presenting, meeting and registration opportunities that this £90m development project can offer you, your colleagues, and your business. Other than for the early preliminaries and some services required in January/February 2012 there remains time for further enquiries, registration and opportunities to meet members of the respective teams for the package of work in the attached indicative list.
Enquiries should be directed to Hereford Futures, or through: hereford@sir-robert-mcalpine.com
There will be much opportunity for individuals with appropriate skills, especially trade, to become involved as well. Similarly there will be opportunities to register apprentices. Enquiries and registration is via the above email address. The most likely route for engagement will be by an invitation to join one of the sub-contacting businesses.
For those successful with gaining an Invitation to Tender and requiring assistance with its completion surgeries will be held to assist with its completion if required. Please contact Hereford Futures when you require that support.
HEREFORD OLD MARKET DEVELOPMENT 2012/2013
‘MEET THE CONTRACTOR' EVENT ON 1 DECEMBER 2011
Outline Works Packages
The following are the sorts of works packages that are on offer. The full scope will be much broader once the details of the scheme are finalised. This list MUST NOT be taken as definitive; there are opportunities to influence what is actually constructed by what you may bring to the table.
Preliminaries
‘Old Market Inn' refurbishment.
Temporary works water and power
Hoarding
Supporting Services
Waste management and disposal
Office services
Catering services
Security services
Main Works
Highways Section 278 (possibly 2 packages)
Piling groundworks preliminaries
Piling
Groundworks/landscaping
Concrete structural
Steel structural
Timber structural
Timber specials (i.e. screenwork)
Brick and blockwork
Partition and dry lining
Render, cladding, metal roofwork
Asphalt
Mechanical and Electrical services, including:
Building Management Systems,
Fire, and
Communication systems
Lifts and Escalators
Finishing, including:
Ironmongery
Decorating
Business Opportunities in Europe
More information
British Business Club
The Department for UK Trade and Industry launches its UK wide business club - the British Business Club
London Games 2012 tender opportunities
The CompeteFor Buyer Engagement Team has been working closely with a number of the LOCOG Tier 1 Catering Suppliers to identify potential supply chain opportunities. It is anticipated that, during late July and early August, a number of catering related opportunities will be posted on the portal by these firms. They are likely to include, but not limited to, items in the following groups:
- Speciality ethnic foods (Dim Sum, Samosa etc)
- Speciality meats (e.g. goat)
- Speciality diary (cheeses, Sheep and Goats Milk etc)
- Bulk orders of dry goods (flour, spices)
- Bakery items (e.g. frozen and fresh loaves and pastries)
Their aim is to find UK based suppliers that can produce these items in line with the LOCOG "Food Vision", sourcing and showcasing the best of British in terms of ingredients and production.
For more information about business opportunities visit or contact Nick Tuberville from the buyer engagement team,
Could you offer Work Experience?
Work Placement can work for many businesses!
Is your business interested in supporting young people who are looking for work?
Are you committed to engaging with your community and developing local talent and skills?
Could you provide young jobseekers with a positive experience of the working world?
If the answer to these questions is yes, you should consider becoming a Work Experience host.
For some young people a lack of understanding of the working world is a significant barrier to finding and sustaining employment. Jobcentre Plus wants to work with you to offer young jobseekers the opportunity to overcome this barrier through Work Experience placements. For those who lack experience, the chance to undertake real work and adjust to the routines and habits of working life can significantly improve their employment prospects.
Why should you get involved?
By helping young people to gain work experience, your business can reap real benefits, such as:
- Developing the supervisory and management skills of your workforce
- Enhancing your public profile by supporting your local community
- Accessing a pool of hidden talent people who offer enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to your business
- Promoting workforce diversity.
There is a strong social case too. We know that an extended period of unemployment, if experienced at an early age, can affect future employment prospects and lead to disadvantages, such as ill-health and poverty. The cost to society of this, both financially and socially, is huge. Job Centre Plus is working with Government, business and voluntary and community sector organisations to support young people, especially those struggling to make the transition from school to work, to prepare for, find and sustain employment.
What is Work Experience?
Work Experience will enable young, unemployed people to volunteer for placements lasting between 2 and 8 weeks. These volunteers will be matched with suitable host employers and complete a light touch selection process. Job Centre Plus continues to pay participants' benefits and also cover the costs of travel, childcare and CRB Disclosures if required.
If you are interested in offering a Work Experience placement then Jobcentre Plus would like to hear from you. If you are based in North, East or South Worcestershire contact Jamie Jacobsen or phone 01432 363672. If you are based in Herefordshire or West Worcestershire contact Mike Dzioba or phone 01432 363670.
Apprenticeships with South Worcestershire College
If you are interested in employing an apprentice, it couldn't be easier. South Worcestershire College has an excellent track record delivering successful apprenticeships and we will make it as simple as possible for you as an employer.
You only have to do three simple things:
- Provide a job at a minimum wage of £95 per week for a 16-18 year old apprentice or minimum national wage for a 19+ apprentice.
- Provide a contract of employment - for at least one year. The College will give you a solicitor approved contract proforma to use with your apprentice.
- Release your apprentice for training this could be one day a week at College, or possibly on your premises depending upon your apprentice numbers or a fortnightly workshop if on a Business and Administration apprenticeship.
The College will deal with everything else:
- Give you advice on which type of apprenticeship best fits your business needs.
- Help you recruit your apprentice directly from school or through a College advert (costs could be shared depending upon other employers or the College advertising with you).
- Enrol your employee as an apprentice with the government and Awarding Body.
- Complete all of the paperwork and administration required for the apprenticeship.
- Provide you with a solicitor approved proforma contract of employment to use with your apprentice.
- Complete all of the training and assessments required for the apprenticeship.
- Every eight weeks, complete a sit down review between you, the apprentice and the College to make sure everything is going right.
The apprenticeship is a great opportunity to increase your workforce at a reasonable cost, greatly enrich the vocational learning of a young person and provide that young person with the work experience, qualifications and a letter of recommendation required for their future employment.
If you are interested in someone to speak to you about apprenticeships or find out more about the apprenticeships offered by South Worcestershire College, please contact: The SWC Apprenticeship Team 01386 712690 / 01386 712722