FINAL REMINDER

Lunchtime Seminar: Winning the War for Talent
Marine Design Centre, Thursday 5th June

‘To attract top talent HR managers need to think like sales and marketing directors.'

The Marine Design Centre is hosting a seminar with experts from HR, PR, and website marketing to explain how companies can re-evaluate the way they communicate with potential and existing employees to stay ahead of the game.

The experts are Daniel O'Mahoney from Bradley O'Mahoney Public Relations, independent HR specialist Gillian Williamson and Brett Jacobson from search engine optimisation specialist Mediaworks.

AGENDA

11.45 hrs: Registration and coffee

12.05 hrs: Welcome & introduction, Dr David Hewitt, Director, Marine Design Centre

12.10 hrs: Winning the War for Talent
• Daniel O'Mahoney, Bradley O'Mahoney Public Relations (pictured below)
• Gillian Williamson, independent HR Specialist
• Brett Jacobson, Mediaworks

 

13.00 hrs: Networking lunch

As the recruitment arena becomes ever more competitive, make sure that you are geared up to attract the best. To reserve a place please contact us on 0191 255 1710 or email info@marinedesigncentre.com . Places cost £15 (+ VAT) for members and £50 (+ VAT) for non-members.

For a location map for the Marine Design Centre, click here.

 

Double First for NE Marine Sector:
Annual Drinks Reception and Dinner (July 1st) and Marine Recruitment & Skills Fair 2008 (July 2nd)

July promises to be a busy month as we approach the 1st anniversary of the Marine Design Centre, with two unique events at The Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

For the first time in the North East’s long and distinguished maritime history, there will be a Drinks Reception and Dinner on July 1st followed the next day by The Marine Recruitment & Skills Fair, providing exhibitors with an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their businesses to a vast array of potential new recruits.

It promises to be a memorable two days – but of course it will only be a success with your involvement!!

 

Drinks Reception and Dinner

A great evening for corporate entertaining, networking or rewarding staff. To give it a true marine feel the drinks reception will, appropriately, be held around the Turbinia and the Dinner in the Great Hall.

We are anticipating great demand for places from members and non-members alike, so to make sure you are not disappointed please contact us on 0191 255 1710 or email info@marinedesigncentre.co.uk . Dinner places cost £55 (+VAT) or £45 (+VAT) for MDC members.

Marine Recruitment & Skills Fair

This is your opportunity to showcase your business to hundreds of potential new recruits. The event will attract skilled workers, graduates, apprentices and others looking for a change of career. Training providers will also be on hand to advise on acquiring appropriate skills. Presentations during the event will focus on helping individuals and companies to develop skills and identify what support is available.

We are delighted to confirm that NCJ Media, which includes The Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Journal and Middlesbrough Evening Gazette has agreed to be our media partner for this event. The group has devised a tremendous discounted promotional package which will include pull-out supplements, advertising, editorial and web presence that will give your attendance at the exhibition maximum exposure. For full details of the advertising support for the event, please click here.

The package is so attractive that we believe all those attending will be more than keen to offer support.

All companies in the sector are invited to exhibit and a special discount is available for booking before 10 June. Superb value exhibition and advertising packages are priced from £495 plus VAT. For further details please click here, call 0191 255 1710 or email info@marinedesigncentre.com

Sponsorship Opportunities

At this stage we still have some high quality sponsorship opportunities available to raise the profile of your business within the sector. Please contact Simon Ellis on 0191 255 1710 or simon.ellis@marinedesigncentre.com for further details.

 

Links With NOF Energy Continue To Grow

Developing solutions to the skills challenges facing industry was a key theme when a strong delegation of members from NOF Energy visited MDC in May.

Pat Rutherford, Operations Manager at Seawell Ltd, gave an update on Seawell’s activities since setting up in the North East and outlined opportunities for regional companies to engage with the business. Seawell provides well services, including production drilling and well maintenance, concept studies, drilling facility upgrading and mechanical & electrical wireline services.

Guests were also given a review by MDC Director, David Hewitt, on activities and plans for the future, including the desire to forge an on-going partnership with NOF Energy in areas where there are mutual interest. 

 

 

12 Month Training Programme Agreed with AVEVA

 

Following the very successful AVEVA training sessions held last month, we have agreed with AVEVA a programme of training to be held at the MDC over the next year. The first course, being held in July, is Equipment & Piping Design. Full details will be distributed shortly, however if you would like to register your interest please contact us on 0191 255 1710 or info@marinedesigncentre.com

Having the courses here in the region as opposed to the company’s HQ in Cambridge, offers great savings in terms of time and cost.

There is also the added bonus that funding support could be available to companies taking part. For further information and to register interest contact us on 0191 255 1710 or email info@marinedesigncentre.co.uk

 

  

Coup For Centre As Babcock CEO Takes Centre Stage

The Marine Design Centre hosted a seminar earlier this month by Archie Bethel, Chief Executive of Babcock Marine, a key member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. A powerful Babcock delegation attended the presentation including at Group level Alex Marsh, Babcock Design & Technology Managing Director Mike Pettigrew and David Dobson, General Manager of BD&T Newcastle.

 

Mr Bethel, pictured right with David Hewitt, outlined the company structure, key programmes and opportunities to engage with Babcock Marine. In particular, he described the impact of the CVF on Rosyth, how the firm’s integrated business model works, points of contact for SMEs in the organisation and existing marine projects being undertaken by BD&T.

Christopher Souter of Souter Trading, who attended the event, said: “It was a real feather in the cap for the marine sector in the region to have the CEO of Babcock here. His appearance was very timely given the CVF announcement. He gave a very good overview of the company and the market and there is no doubt that those attending appreciated his guidance and advice as to how to become part of the supply chain.”

With Babcock as our founding Global Partner, we are constantly seeking ways to involve the company with the marine sector here in the North East.

  

It’s All A Question of Degree

 

The Marine Design Centre and Foundation Degree Forward are working closely together in the development of a foundation degree that will meet the need of the Marine Design Industry.

Foundation degrees are designed and delivered in partnership with employers and Higher Education providers (Universities and Colleges) to equip employees with the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to their industry.

Integrating academic and work-based learning, Foundation degrees allow students already employed to undertake a programme of study in order to get ahead in their chosen career, whilst continuing to work. Some students may also undertake a Foundation degree when returning to work or changing their career. Business Development Manager, John Lockey, said: “We are seeking educational partners who can be flexible with regards to its mode of delivery and this may include distance or on line learning modules.” Employees may go on to study for an Honours Degree (which usually takes one further year).

  

Bridging the Skills Gap

Foundation Degree Forward is also undertaking an investigation in partnership with the Marine Design Centre to explore the skills challenge facing the sector. Bob Bell will be contacting a number of companies to gauge demand in the industry and investigate some of the issues. Challenges may include new technology, shortage of skills and recruitment.

If you would like to support this research please contact Bob Bell email address r.t.bell@fdf.ac.uk

  

Member News - Stauff

Marine Design Centre member Stauff UK is delighted to announce the specification and order of an adapted version of its PPDA Defence approved pipe clamp for use onboard the BAE Systems., Astute Class submarine. The first order, utilising many thousands of clamps has been delivered and is already being fitted on boat 3.

Following the initial design of Astute, Stauff Defence & Marine became involved through the Boat Improvements team on better ways of supporting on-board pipework. The overriding objective set for Stauff was to improve the quality of the installation and reduce both the purchase and installation costs over the previously specified on-board pipe bracketery.

Some two years later, having seen both companies work tirelessly to implement the change and having completed a test programme, exceeding that of normal MoD approvals, PPDA (Polypropylene Defence Approved) was fully accepted and fitted.

"Our development work continues", says Andrew Shaw of Stauff D&M. "Astute has fully embraced the concept of using a Stauff clamp and is looking at a number of improved solutions for use on-board."