Training on Uckfield's doorstep

Training on the doorstep is offered by the Wealden Skills Centre, based in the heart of the Bellbrook Business Park.

More and more Uckfield businesses are using the centre’s facilities while the number of youngsters under instruction continues to grow, writes Paul Watson.

The centre offers:

Courses for 14 to 19 year olds;
Business courses; and
Courses for adults.

Centre manager Lin Lucas said: “The business courses started in 2007/08 in a small way and we have greatly developed our offer.

“The courses are developed in partnership with local training providers. We are working with them.”

Skills

One example is a link with Freedom Leisure which manages leisure facilities for local authorities across Sussex and Kent, including Uckfield Leisure Centre. It has developed training skills, particularly around health and safety.

IT courses have proved particularly popular, especially where training is delivered in “bite-sized” chunks. Courses may last only a couple of hours and focus on only one aspect of a particular computer program, such as Excel.

Staff are only away from work for a short time and can be back at their desk the same morning using the skills they learned. “These courses can save hours in the workplace,” Lin said.

Business courses will help raise revenue to pay for the vocational education, which is much more expensive to provide than traditional school classroom lessons. More business courses will be offered in the future.

The skills centre is well equipped with the latest equipment and plenty of space to teach students on the vocational courses. Subjects offered include construction, catering, motor vehicle maintenance, hair dressing and hair and beauty.

"Soft option"

Youngsters from age 14 can be at the centre two days a week for up to two years, depending on the course. The 14 to 16 year olds attend their normal school for the remainder of the time, studying GCSE core subjects.

Any student attending the skills centre thinking it is a “soft option” will get a rude awakening.

Selection interviews are rigorous and once a student is on a course they are expected to take responsibility for themselves. It is much more a work environment than a school one.

Successful completion of courses at the skills centre will see students receiving a range of qualifications, including NVQs and B-tec.

Around 1,000 students have been through the centre since it opened in 2005.

DIY

Courses for adults range from one-day workshops on plumbing to digital photography while there are longer courses for other DIY skills, as well as social activities.

Wealden Skills Centre is a partnership between Uckfield Community Technology College, Sussex Downs College, Heathfield Community College, Uplands Community College (Wadhurst) and Beacon Community College (Crowborough).

Recovery at TR Fastenings continues

The recovery at Bellbrook Business Park firm TR Fastenings continues to go well.

Group revenue for the three months ended on June 30 was 28 per cent ahead of the same period last year.

A company statement said: “Overall, for the year to date, we have continued to witness an improvement in trading and business opportunities despite some caution still prevailing across certain global economies.

“TR Asia remains buoyant in terms of both manufacturing and distribution. Due to increasing manufacturing demand and visibility the Board has authorised the restoration of capital expenditure in this region.

“Around the rest of the world in general, TR is also witnessing demand and enquiries increasing across both its transactional and global sales. The Group's focus remains "sales-led" with margin improvement whilst retaining its tight control on cash as the business starts to build up stocks profiled to new customer requirements.

“In its 'rebuild' phase, the directors remain confident that Trifast will continue to make good strategic progress throughout the remainder of the financial year.”

Uckfield rail station 'on the podium'

Uckfield Railway Station was “on the podium” when the results of national rail awards were announced.

It was placed third in the community rail awards (station development category) organized by the Association of Community Rail Partnership.

The awards web site said: “Uckfield in Sussex was without a proper station building for almost 20 years after the original Victorian station was demolished. In its place two temporary buildings were provided, which could not be considered customer friendly in any way. In 2009 work began on a brand-new modular station, designed very much with the passenger in mind. Uckfield now has a station building that regular commuters and visitors can enjoy.”

Southern took a first prize at the awards for its Priority Seat Card scheme which aims to give passengers with hidden disabilities or with a greater need to sit down, the confidence to ask fellow passengers to give up a priority seat.

Chance for business networking

The Seaford Means Business trade show is back on October 1 and 2 at the Downs Leisure Centre, Seaford, 10am to 5pm. It is organised by the town’s Chamber of Commerce and is intended to showcase the variety and scope of local business and trade services in and around the Seaford area.