A virtual event aimed at bringing together employers in the Watford area with school students is taking place next month. In partnership with Watford Borough Council, Watford Chamber of Commerce is hosting Generation Watford on Tuesday, March 9 to provide young people with a unique view and understanding of upcoming training opportunities and careers. It also gives businesses an avenue to advertise their work and vacancies. Furthermore, Generation Watford aims to show businesses the power of young people, as evidenced by the Chamber employing apprentices and their involvement in the Government s Kickstarter scheme. Bronwen Lunniss, the latest Kickstarter to join the Chamber, explained how pivotal this event could be.
At a planning committee meeting on Wednesday evening, councillors unanimously gave the thumbs up to the scheme. Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: We are extremely excited to be launching Greenhill Works. Supporting our local businesses and creating the right environment for them to flourish is absolutely vital and a top priority for the council. Our local businesses are the lifeblood of our town, creating jobs and prosperity and keeping the town vibrant and successful. A key part of this is providing the right spaces and conditions for them to thrive and grow. To do this we have to offer high-quality spaces and places that people want to work in. Our aspiration for the redevelopment of this gateway zone at the entrance to the Park is that, as well as attracting new businesses to the area, it will act as a catalyst to regenerate the rest of Watford Business Park.
The fire at the Discovery Centre at Oaklands College campus in St Albans.
- Credit: Archant
For Zoe Hancock, departing principal of Oaklands College, the biggest challenge she faced during her tenure was unquestionably the massive fire at the Discovery Centre in June 2019, which spread to a nearby gym and resulted in students and staff being evacuated.
Firefighters tackled a large-scale blaze at Oaklands College in St Albans. Picture: Herts Fire and Rescue Service
- Credit: Herts Fire and Rescue Service
“I never want to see a fire like that again. However difficult my job was it was never a life or death thing, and suddenly when you’re faced with a fire you want to make sure that everyone is out and everyone’s safe.
I lost nine months of bookings within three days. I found Hertfordshire Growth Hub online, who suggested the free Business Mentor Scheme from University of Hertfordshire, funded by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. This is where I met my incredible mentor and through weekly virtual sessions, Helen [Thomson] has supported me in aligning my 11 years of experience empowering women, femmes and non-binary folx with my formal training in graphic design and illustration to develop a new business service.”
One of Tigz Rice s pictures of personal trainer Dovile at Rise Gym in Welwyn Garden City
- Credit: Tigz Rice Ltd
The service, Branding By Tigz, was been made possible by a grant of £4,500 from Herts Growth Hub as part of the COVID-19 Respond Adapt & Strengthen Grant.
By Deborah Price Local Democracy Reporter - Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire County Council leader David Williams has responded to the latest lockdown and what it means for the county Hertfordshire County Council leader David Williams has warned that councils and local businesses will need further funding and support during the latest Covid-19 lockdown. On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a series of lockdown measures which came into force on Wednesday – including the closure of schools, the cancellation of summer exams and a requirement to work from home. In a statement issued to coincide with the televised address earlier this week, county council leader Cllr David Williams acknowledged that the extreme measures were needed to keep everyone safe.