b'SKILLS & INVESTMENT Apprentice Factory launches next phase after calendar of successful eventsThe South Ribble ApprenticeThe Apprentice Factory initiative also seeks to engage Factory is in the process ofwith local, regional and national institutions to onboarding its next cohortdeliver South Ribbles skills needs at every level. It following a busy calendar ofprovides impartial information and advice to schools activities designed to connectand colleges, supporting businesses to create new businesses with local people ofapprenticeships in partnership with credible training all ages who are keen to developproviders, as well as helping people to reskill, upskill their skills.and develop their careers. Its latest event in partnershipOther events organised by the Apprentice Factory with Jobcentre Plus, invited thoseso far in 2019 include a workshop with CITB training seeking work to meet with localproviders to support construction skills; a Technical employers who are currentlyEducation event in partnership with Runshaw College recruiting, as well as offering adviceheld during National Careers Week in March; a Google on self-employment, CV creation,Digital Garage to deliver digital skills training for Universal Credit and apprenticeshipbusinesses, in partnership with LEP Skills Hub in April; opportunities.and the South Ribble Careers Fest held in June, which saw hundreds of attendees.David Holgate, audit and risk assistant at South Ribble Borough CouncilThroughout autumn, the Apprentice Factory will hold careers fairs, speed networking, futures workshopsand mock interviews with students in local collegesand of which Leyland Trucksand schools.manufactures.South Ribble Borough Council currently has the highest Output from the Leyland Truckspercentage of its workforce employed under the factory has doubled in the pastapprenticeship scheme in Lancashire, holding the title of decade thanks to technologybest public sector employer in the region. and automation; its productionFor more information, contact 01772 625215 or email: line is digitally mapped, withapprenticefactory@southribble.gov.ukfour robotic arms responsible for spray painting chassis. As a result, output per employee has increased approximately 23 per cent in theDr Oetker 30m investment to create 120 jobslast five years. Councillor Bill Evans, CabinetDr Oetker is celebrating 10 years of manufacturing its products in Leyland with the Member for Planning, Regenerationcompletion of a 30m investment that has doubled its manufacturing capacity.and City Deal at South RibbleThe manufacturer expects increasing product demand to generate a further 120 local jobs at Borough Council, commented:the site. Leyland Trucks is a fantastic beacon of how to achieve increasedThe company has introduced a new production lineopened on 8th May by South Ribble productivity, and there are manyMayor, Cllr John Rainsburyto its facility, which manufactures Chicago Town and Dr Oetker other businessesacross a varietyRistorante pizzas.of sectorsthat are following suit and contributing to Leyland beingGeorg Heerdegen Parsbo, managing director at Dr Oetker UK, said: Our investment put on the map for its increasingdemonstrates a clear commitment to the UK business and the future of pizza manufacturing economic outputs. in our Leyland facility.Weve already been recognised for being a fantastic place to live, so to be acknowledged for what weAll female agency marks 15 yearscan offer to people in their working lives, and how this contributes toA Lancashire-based conference and event management the country as a whole, is somethingcompany celebrated 15 years in business in June.to be celebrated.Events Northern Ltd, located in Penwortham and headed by Im proud that businesses inMD Becki Cross, has worked with NHS England, Arts Council Leyland are proving to be aEngland, Sport England and the World Health Organisation positive demonstration for whatamongst many others. strategic planning, hard work and ongoing analysis of how to improveIn July, it launched the first of its own B2C projects L-R Helen Brady event manager, Becki contributes to a thriving businessPlannerFest, an event for planner and stationery lovers.Cross managing director, Gill Knight eco-system.office managerbusinessinsouthribble.com 3'