New £12m STEM Centre of Engineering Excellence taking shape on Teesside

A £12m Centre of Engineering Excellence is taking shape on Teesside, backed by leading North-east businesses.

The STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Centre is being built by Esh Build for Middlesbrough College, and will play a key role in bridging the engineering skills gap in the region.

Companies including Huntsman, Johnson Matthey, Lotte Chemical UK, Caterpillar UK, Tees Components, Sabic, Amec Foster Wheeler, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, PD Ports, NIFCO and Sembcorp Utilities are playing a key role in making sure the centre is geared up to deliver the skills needed by local industry.

The centre will specialise in advanced manufacturing, process oil and gas, pharmaceutical, digital warehousing, logistics and engineering disciplines.

Training courses will be available for those already employed in industry wanting to improve their skills, as well as for those with no prior experience but who are keen to land a job in the sector.

Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College, pictured with Ian Smith, STEM director, said: “The new STEM Centre is a natural progression of the relationship Middlesbrough College has had with the area’s industry for many years – we’re just taking it to another level to guarantee that Middlesbrough College remains at the forefront of skills development.

“The college has seen an 80% rise in the number of apprentices we train in the STEM sector compared to last year, and whatever a company’s training needs, from advanced manufacturing to business management, we can help - the STEM Centre will allow us to do that in state-of-the-art facilities built specifically to meet the needs of industry.

“By working in partnership with the employers on the advisory board we are making sure that the thousands of people who will be trained in the centre will get the skills they need to secure work in the sector.

“It’s wonderful seeing two years of planning starting to come to fruition. We can’t wait until the doors open next year.”

The centre will simulate a typical process industrial setting and those attending will be expected to complete behavioural safety training.

A control room is also being incorporated and will be used to monitor and operate the processes, including a fully functional control desk overlooking the process hall with operator work stations.

Courses will be available for students of all abilities, from entry level to HND and apprenticeships, and companies will be able to commission work, including manufacturing. The new centre will operate as a simulated COMAH - Control of Major Accident Hazards - site and operational procedures will be in force to raise awareness and develop the very important behaviours required in industry to prevent and mitigate the effects of major accidents involving dangerous substances, such as chemicals, petroleum gas and explosives.

Stockton IT company Visualsoft says skills gap is slowing plans to create jobs in the town

A Stockton eCommerce agency says a growing skills gap is slowing its plans to create jobs in the town.

Visualsoft says it is “crying out” for staff that can help realise its dream of doubling the workforce - and despite the North-east’s growing digital hub, skilled workers are in short supply.

The company joined forces with Stockton Riverside College to help bridge the skills-gap, by piloting an introductory web development course that could see students go on to secure an apprenticeship with the firm.

Visualsoft’s Sarah McCormick said: “Despite the North-east having recently started to establish itself as a digital hub of the UK, we are seeing a significant gap in the amount of young people coming through with web development and front end development.”

“We are always crying out for PHP and CSS developers. While some are coming through in the North-east, there’s not as many as a company of our size needs.”

The company, which employs around 160, has set out ambitious plans to double its workforce in the next five years.

Michelle Elliott, the college’s director of business development, said: “Our aim, as an education provider, is to give people the skills and training that employers are looking for.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young people aged 16 to 18, and could see them go on to pursue a career in this growing and exciting industry.”

The full time programme, which is due to start this month, would see students develop the sought-after technical know-how alongside customer relationship management skills.

Michelle explained how students would spend half a day a week with Visualsoft throughout the course and also undertake one full week’s work experience with the company.

At the end of the 20-week course the students are guaranteed an interview, with the potential to move on to a Level 2 apprenticeship with the firm, or they could progress on to an alternate apprenticeship or full time study programme.

Sarah added: “This is the first project of this kind, and this scale, that we have carried out with a local college.”

Visualsoft also has offices in Newcastle, London and Sydney and works with more than 1,000 clients, including worldwide brands such as Kickers and Gola.

The company has grown at an average rate of 300% per year since it was established in 1998.

Visualsoft hit the headlines recently after it successfully introduced limitless holidays and flexible working for all of its staff.

Thick black smoke seen across Guisborough after controlled burn of heather

Thick black smoke could be seen across Guisborough..

The smoke was a result of a controlled burn of heather on grassland at Lockwood Beck, near Saltburn.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade said the controlled fire began at 10am and finished at around 4pm.

Youths launch bricks at moving vehicles on Ormesby Road in Middlesbrough

A brick thrown by a group of youths through a car window has injured a passenger.

Other vehicles on Ormesby Road near to Pallister Park were also damaged during the incident on Saturday night between 8pm and 9.15pm.

Police are appealing for information about the vandalism, as it is not the first time it has happened.

A message on the East Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Police Team Facebook page said: “We require the public’s help and support in trying to solve this problem.

“We need information about those responsible for this mindless vandalism.

“They are putting peoples lives at risk every time they throw a missile at a passing motor vehicle.”

Anyone with information should call 101.

Donations pour in to help fund damage costs of Middlesbrough baby hospice car

Volunteers from a Teesside baby hospice whose people carrier was involved in an alleged hit and run are hopeful of being able to fund the damage costs thanks to generous donations.

The eight-seater Citroen car belonging to Zoe’s Place, in Normanby, Middlesbrough, was parked up on Headlam Road in Darlington at about 7.30pm on December 30.

A member of staff was out collecting supplies when a white transit van collided with the car, pushing it sideways into a silver VW Polo.

Both vehicles were badly damaged in the smash and although it has not yet been confirmed, the car, which the charity relies on to transport terminally ill babies and children, is likely to be declared a write-off.

Moments after the crash, the van reversed into a blue Astra convertible car before fleeing the scene.

The voluntary organisation, which has earned a special place in Teesside hearts since 2004, put out an appeal on Facebook and help soon came pouring in.

More than £700 has been donated since the fundraising page was launched on Friday, and the post has been shared almost 3,000 times.

The Citroen car belonging to Zoe's Place, in Normanby, Middlesbrough

Chief executive Mark Guidery, said he was “overwhelmed” by the generosity shown by the public.

He said: “You hear of incidents like this and it just makes you feel low. The only good thing is that no one was hurt.

“I was not expecting the power of Facebook to take over the way it has, and to hear how much money has been raised in a short space of time is just remarkable. I’m quite overwhelmed.

Mr Guidery said the car, which was donated to the hospice in 2005 by workers at Teesside’s Corus after they raised more than £5,000 to fund it, has been “a superstar” to the charity.

He said: “It’s worked like a dream and we’ve never had problems with it. It’s a huge loss to the charity as it’s our main source of transport.”

The car has since been removed and the damaged will be assessed. The charity has been given a courtesy car from its insurers in the meantime.

Mr Guidery added: “It’s not looking good for us at the moment as a lot of the damage has occurred underneath. But we will wait to hear back from our insurance company.”

If you would like to make a donation: visit: http://ift.tt/1BxvPky

Durham Police were unavailable for comment today.

Faulty toaster causes a fire in the kitchen of Norton family home

A faulty toaster caused a fire which destroyed a kitchen and damaged a dining room of a family home.

Fire crews were called out on Saturday morning, about 11am, to a house on Ida Street in Norton.

Two appliances from Stockton Fire Station arrived on the scene and found a woman outside suffering from smoke inhalation.

The 35-year-old was treated by fire crews and paramedics, but did not need to go to hospital.

Two breathing appliances and a thermal image camera were used by fire fighters, who put out the fire in 20 minutes.

The fire came just two days after a similar incident in which an elderly couple were rescued by firefighters after being overcome by smoke from an out-of-control chip pan.

Stockton Fire Station watch manager, Mick Ireland, is urging people to take care in their homes.

He said: “Try not to leave things unattended and if you think something may have a problem then get it checked out or get a new one.”

18 killed in US-led airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika

At least 18 people have been killed when US-led foreign forces carried out an airstrike in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktika.

Mukhlis Afghan, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said on Saturday that the airstrike targeted a convoy of Taliban militants in Gayan District, located approximately 175 kilometers (108 miles) southeast of the capital, Kabul, late on Friday.

He added that at least 18 militants were slain and three pickup trucks destroyed in the assault.

The Taliban have made no comments on the incident so far.

The US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan have recently increased their air raids against civilian areas.

On December 29, at least four Taliban militants, among them a commander identified as Syed Izam, were killed in a US assassination drone strike in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nuristan.

A Taliban commander and five other members of the militant group were killed late on December 27, when a US drone struck an area in the eastern province of Nangarhar.

The United States carries out targeted killings through drone strikes in several Muslim countries such as Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Washington claims the targets of the drone attacks are militants, but local officials and witnesses maintain that civilians have been the main victims of the attacks over the past few years.

People and officials in Afghanistan have protested over the civilian casualties on numerous occasions, but the US drone attacks continue unabated.

The United Nations and several human rights organizations have identified the United States as the world’s number one user of “targeted killings,” largely due to its drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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Rugby round-up: Stockton earn local bragging rights; Redcar and Acklam pick up victories

IT was a happy start to 2015 for Teesside trio Stockton, Redcar and Acklam as they shook off their post-Christmas blues and got back to winning ways in the league.

After three straight defeats in Durham and North One, fifth-placed Stockton made the short trip to Blackwell Meadows to face Darlington in a crunch derby duel.

Stockton were well on top in the early stages and Darlington put themselves under further pressure on seven minutes when one of their front row was binned for taking out Stockton skipper Steve Taylor in a lineout.

On 13 minutes Stockton scored their opening try when flanker Joe Green burst through the home defence, before passing to full-back Jonny Horner who scored under the posts.

Approaching half-time Stockton were reduced to 14 when Martin Dixon was carded for a high tackle, but despite this the visitors increased their lead when Jeremy Good slotted over another penalty.

A late Darlington try left the score at 13-12 in Stockton’s favour at the break, but a second half brace from Jack Aldus and a late score from winger Danny Phin wrapped up the points.

The promotion race in Durham and North Two continues to heat up with second-placed Redcar earning a narrow 15-14 win at Hartlepool.

That means it’s five consecutive wins under new coach Richie Young, ahead of next weekend’s crunch clash with promotion-chasing Acklam at Mackinlay Park.

Acklam remained hot on Redcar’s heels on Saturday following a 65-5 demolition of Seaton Carew at Talbot Park.

Dominant in attack, Acklam racked up 48 unanswered points before the break, and that trend continued after the break with Dean Roberts ending with four tries and Paul Roberts adding a brace.

In National Three North it was a tough start to the New Year for Billingham, who were beaten 41-20 at high-flying Sheffield Tigers.

Meanwhile Boro’s promotion push took another dent in Yorkshire One, following a 17-17 stalemate with Hullensians.

How we could be heading for the £1 a litre fuel pump as oil prices fall

Plummeting petrol prices could give a boost to the North’s rural families and firms, business leaders say.

As oil prices continue to tumble and a supermarket price war helps lower the cost at the pumps still further, experts are predicting the cost of a litre of fuel could soon drop below £1.

“Falling prices are going to help families and businesses as it reduces overheads,” said Ted Salmon, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in the North East.

“A lot of small businesses use small vans and their own cars, and falling prices have knocked I think it’s £30 off the price of a tank of fuel - so every few visits to the pumps you’re effectively getting a free fill up.

“It will take a bit of pressure off and help businesses cash flow - it will help to keep money in businesses - and it will certainly help rural businesses who have to travel, and who’s customers have to travel.

“It could also help tourism come Easter time, with more people likely to drive to visit places.

“And while all of that might not mean extra jobs for the region, it could make the North’s businesses more resilient and help preserve the jobs we already have.”

World oil prices continue to plunge with some analysts predicting the cost of a barrel of crude could fall as low as $35 - down from $105 in July.

That has seen the average cost of a litre of petrol drop from an average of 131.6p to 112.6p a litre now that oil is $57 a barrel.

But leading supermarkets are pushing the price down further, with Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco all announcing this week that they were knocking a further 2p off a litre.

And that means that the cheapest fuel to be found on the North’s forecourts - at least on Friday - were are the grocery giant’s outlets.

The cheapest unleaded on Tyneside could be found at Asda’s Blyth and Sainsbury’s Sunderland stores, at 107.9p a litre. While on Teesside Morrisons Middlesbrough store, on Ormesby Road in Berwick Hills, and Tesco’s Dixon Bank and Ingleby Barwick filling stations were close behind at 108.9p.

For diesel the Asda’s in Thornaby, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Peterlee, Darlington, Blyth, Ashington and Spennymoor, plus Morrisons in Hartlepool, and Sainsbury’s in Sunderland all offered a litre for 114.7p.

However, information from PetrolPrices.co.uk shows it pays to shop around, with unleaded up to 8p a litre more expensive, and diesel up to 10p extra depending on the service station.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “What’s currently happening at the pumps with falling fuel prices is something many motorists will not remember seeing before.

“Talk of prices going up like a rocket and falling like a feather could not be further from the truth as retailers have been quick to pass on savings at the forecourt.

“The cost of going to visit family and friends will be the cheapest it’s been for nearly five years, but the prospect of petrol going below £1 a litre is incredible, particularly when prices at the beginning of 2014 seemed to be heading ever upwards.

“It is, however, important to realise that the oil and fuel market can always change due to a number factors, including the strength of the pound against the dollar and the global production of oil. If the current oversupply situation remains then it will clearly be good news for motorists and businesses that rely on the road network. With the United Arab Emirates energy minister saying OPEC will not cut production even if oil falls as low as $40 a barrel, we have every reason to think petrol at under £1 is a very real prospect.

“It’s also important to remember that while the cost of fuel itself has fallen, it currently only represents around a third of the overall pump price with the lion share being made up of fuel duty and VAT.

“At £1 a litre duty would be 57.95p and VAT 16.67p, leaving the cost of the oil and retailers’ margin at 25.38p – meaning tax would be three quarters of the forecourt price.”