More than 300 students from North East schools took part in mock interviews as part of the Building My Skills coordinated by Esh Group.
The event, held at the Vertu Motors Arena, was the culmination of the multi award-winning programme which aims to raise students' career aspirations by providing them with an introduction to the world of work, and an insight into sectors and jobs they may not otherwise have been aware of. More than 30 businesses from sectors such as legal, housing and banking took part in 2024’s Building My Skills and between them delivered a total of 94 sessions.
Darush Dodds, corporate affairs director at Esh Group, said: "The mock interview day is always a worthwhile event. It provides valuable interview experiences but can open the door to second interviews for businesses who have opportunities available, such as apprenticeships, traineeships or paid placements.
“Building My Skills is the personification of business-education collaboration. Throughout the year, connections between schools and businesses have been formed that may never have existed before this programme took place. More importantly, we have given over 4,500 students the platform to become employable once they leave school. Six months ago, when they started Building My Skills, they may not have known where their career path would lead them; hopefully, we have given them the boost they may have needed to decide their next steps.”
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Housebuilder Barratt Homes North East has donated £1,500 to the The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
The nature conservation charity, established in 1889, is dedicated to the protection of birds and wildlife and its work encompasses conservation projects, scientific research, advocacy and community engagement.
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Barratt's money will support the RSPB’s conservation efforts to help tackle the nature and climate emergencies, from helping threatened species to recover and restoring vital habitats to inspiring more and more diverse people to act for nature. Katy Terry, senior corporate partnerships manager, at the RSPB, said: "According to the latest State of Nature report, only 14% of the 海角视频’s important habitats for wildlife were found to be in good condition and 16% of the over ten thousand species studied in Great Britain are at risk of becoming extinct. We are so grateful for Barratt Homes North East’s generous donation that will help us continue to turn things around for nature, the climate and people."
Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID) has received national recognition for its work with British BIDs Accreditation.
The industry standard confirms the business-led organisation has the correct governance in place and ensures it complies with a Government report published earlier this year which called for BIDs to be accountable and transparent. Confirmation of the status follows an assessment process, carried out by external auditors.
The assessors examined everything from the way BID board members are selected to how the organisation performs and engages with levy payers in the city. Communication and reporting processes were also looked at.
Kirsty Currie, operations manager at Sunderland BID, said: "The accountability and transparency of a BID is critical, and adherence to the accreditation standards provides stakeholders with a reassurance about the way the BID is operating."
Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, said: "This is confirmation – and in line with Government requirements – that Sunderland is a well run and well managed BID which has really robust governance procedures. It’s testimony to the hard work of all the team that our high standards and the quality of work produced by the BID is now acknowledged in this way.”
New College Durham won the Training Provider/Programme of the Year title at this year's North East Apprenticeship Awards.
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And two of the college's students secured awards of their own at the St James' Park presentation, hosted by The Apprentice star, fitness entrepreneur and presenter Katie Bulmer Cooke. Benjamin Urwin at Durham County Council (AAT) was awarded Professional Services Apprentice of the Year and Kieron Harden at NG Bailey was recognised as Intermediate Apprentice of the Year.
Andy Broadbent, principal and chief executive of New College Durham, said: "This fantastic award reflects the dedication of colleagues who continually identify, incorporate and deliver course updates and delivery methods. This ongoing desire to deliver improvement has now been recognised as second to none across the North East. We are delighted to have won this prestigious accolade and offer our congratulations to everyone else who were nominated in our category."
He added: "For the last 50 years New College Durham has worked hard to support and promote apprenticeship opportunities across the region. This year we also took the further step of sponsoring a category award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year to help promote the fantastic opportunities that an apprenticeship provides.”
Newcastle restaurant Lovage has been awarded a prestigious AA rosette for culinary excellence.
The Jesmond-based eaterie, which is co-owned by Alabanian-born chef Kleo Tabaku, last year received inclusion in the Michelin Guide. And the latest award comes amid a string of accolades since its opening less than two years ago, including the Telegraph's William Sitwell awarding it five out of five stars for its “neat, delicate, good and honest cooking.”
Mr Tabaku said: "It’s a genuine honour and I am absolutely delighted that we will now be able to display a plaque with the famous rosette – it’s wonderful news.”
Stuart Young, co-owner of Lovage and its sister restaurant Osters, at Gosforth High Street, said the AA rosette was testament “not only to Kleo and his wife Lisa, who does a superb job front of house, but to the skill and commitment of their entire team." He added: "They have achieved, in a very short time, what it takes most restaurants years to achieve and this recognition is richly deserved."
Creative youngsters have been recognised for their work in helping to shape the Culture House Sunderland venue.
Young people between the ages of seven and 25 were given the chance to design the teen room at the forthcoming multipurpose cultural venue and city library via the Creating Culture House in Minecraft competition held in collaboration with Sunderland City Council, Culture House Sunderland, TA Education, Together for Children and FaulknerBrowns.
Leanne Littlewood, Culture House Sunderland director, said: “It was great to be able to recognise the fantastic creativity of young people in the city who have come up with some terrific designs. It’s brilliant to have a competition that offers them a chance to express their creativity but also hone digital skills, which are increasingly valuable.
"Culture House Sunderland will be a venue that is open to everyone and will have something for everyone, so we’re really keen to ensure that people have a chance to shape what that looks like.”