Business
Marine renewable opportunities set to surge
PEMBROKESHIRE businesses are set to benefit from imminent developments in the renewable energy industry following two key announcements made by Marine Energy Pembrokeshire last week. The Crown Estate’s selection of Wave Hub – the organisation behind the world’s most advanced site for the testing and development of renewable energy – as the organisation to manage Pembrokeshire’s designated Demonstration Zone, and the signing of a collaboration agreement between Marine Energy Pembrokeshire and South West Marine Energy Park, is welcome news for local businesses and the area as a whole. The Port of Milford Haven’s strategy, supported by their significant investment, has positioned and equipped Pembroke Port to become a key delivery centre for this growing industry. Pembrokeshire’s powerful natural resource for wave and tide, existing grid connectivity and recently improved road links coupled with the Port’s deep water quay, industrial sheds and extensive lay-down space are already beginning to attract considerable interest. Local businesses that employ highly skilled engineering personnel who are accustomed to servicing the cluster of energy facilities on the Haven will play a critical role as delivery partners. Based on a recent study by Regeneris Consulting and the Welsh Economy Research Unit at Cardiff Business School, the development of marine energy in Wales has the potential, in the next 3-4 years, to support £72m of Gross Value Added (GVA) and create over 2,000 personyears of employment during the development and installation phase, and £2m GVA with 50 FTE jobs per annum during the operational and maintenance phase. Kevin Hobbs, Short Sea Director for the Port of Milford Haven with responsibility for Pembroke Port, commented: “We are committed to developing Pembroke Port into a centre of excellence for marine renewables and engineering. Existing infrastructure and on-site specialist supply chain companies experienced in engineering and fabrication and operation of work-boats and barges are combining to create an exciting opportunity for businesses in and around the Port. “Our commitment to the industry is already being realised by Tidal Energy Limited, the company behind the Delta Stream concept which aims to harness the power of tidal flow to generate power. They chose Pembroke Port as their operational base early in 2013 and are currently preparing their device for deployment in Ramsey Sound later this summer.” Managing Director for Tidal Energy Ltd, Martin Murphy, said: “We are pleased with how our project has progressed. Pembroke Port’s flexible approach and the excellent facilities there, as a base from which to store and assemble components, deploy, monitor and maintain wave and tidal energy projects such as ours, has made a significant difference to us in advancing this innovative project.” Kevin Hobbs added: “The Pembrokeshire economy has benefited from the busy oil and gas port at Milford Haven for decades, but in recent years shipping has declined and the Port is looking to diversify in order to continue to support the level of employment the area has become accustomed to. A master-planning process for Pembroke Port is under way that is looking at areas within the site that could be adapted for use as a potential manufacturing base for wave and tidal devices. “The major announcements by Marine Energy Pembrokeshire this week are exciting news and highlight what can be achieved through collaboration between business, communities, and local and national government. At Pembroke Port we look forward to continuing to collaborate and work in partnership with all agencies so that, together, we can maximise the long term economic benefits from Pembrokeshire’s existing natural resource and skilled personnel.”
JOIN Admiral, and work from home – no experience necessary!
Wales’ only FTSE 100 company is hiring across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire right now for remote roles.
Admiral, which is ranked the 5th best workplace in the UK and the 2nd best workplace for women, is looking for residents in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to join them as they recruit for remote roles, with full training and equipment provided!
Remote Customer Service Advisor – (Customer Loyalty department)
The Customer Loyalty department are responsible for looking after their valued customers, whether that’s dealing with queries, finding solutions, changing policy details, or the all-important job of negotiating with those who aren’t satisfied with their renewal quote.
This means they’re looking for those who are resilient and customer focused. You need to be skilled in building relationships, delivering superb customer service and have a willingness to upsell additional products or services. You’ll have the opportunity to make a positive difference in their customers’ lives through the service you provide them, so it’s vital that you value helping others!
You’ll work in a busy environment, likely to take upwards of 50 calls per day, so you’ll need to make lightning-fast decisions to help their valued customers.
Remote Sales Consultant – (New Business department)
In the New Business department, the culture is the heart of the department. They’re a supportive, fun and innovative team who always strive for the best and celebrate the success of their colleagues. Their standards are high but they’ll ensure everyone is fully supported to enable them to succeed!
A day in the life of a Remote Sales Consultant is centred around customers. You’ll take incoming calls from their customers (no cold-calling) and guide them through the process of setting up insurance and secure them the best deal, all while adding value and providing outstanding service.
This means they’re looking for motivated, confident and resilient people to join the New Business family. You’ll be bringing in brand new customers, so you need to take pride in your work and be able to make a great first impression!
Benefits of working for Admiral
- A starting salary of £19,100 plus up to an additional £13,000 in incentives.
- Full training provided with no experience necessary
- All equipment provided
- Fully remote roles – no travel costs or time!
- Free shares worth £3,600 every year (After 1 year’s service)
- Full time position with long-term career prospects
Why choose to join Admiral as an employer
Admiral is an award-winning employer! In 2021, they were named the 5th best workplace in the UK, and 2nd best for women by Great Place to Work, the 5th Best Big Company To Work For in the UK in the Best Companies To Work For list and the 17th Best Multinational Workplace in Europe by Great Place to Work.
They take career progression seriously and really encourage colleagues to take their careers to the next level, providing support along the way.
Admiral is also well known for its share scheme, offering free shares worth £3,600 every year, once you’ve been with them for one year.
This means receiving dividends twice a year plus the ability to sell your shares after three years, or after five years tax free! It’s a great way to have a real sense of ownership in your role and help drive the business forward.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to join an award winning, FTSE 100 company then you can apply by following the link www.admiraljobs.co.uk/west.
BUSINESSES in Wales impacted by the rapid spread of the Omicron virus can now apply for emergency financial support from the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething previously said £120 million would be available for retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism business and their supply chains affected by the move to alert level 2 announced by the First Minister on Wednesday 22 December.
Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between £2,500 to £25,000, with grants dependent on their size and number of employees.
The application window will be open for two weeks, with payments starting to reach businesses within days.
Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said:
“Following positive engagement with businesses, trades unions and other partners, we recently changed the eligibility criteria for the ERF support. The ERF grant is a Wales-only top up payment that currently supports eligible businesses who have seen a 60% drop in their income between December and February compared with the same period two years ago. The new criteria means that businesses in these sectors who have seen a 50% reduction in their turnover will now also be able to access the ERF.
“This means more businesses will receive more support from the Welsh Government.”
Non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses in Wales can also receive support from the Non Domestic Rates (NDR) linked grant which is being administered by local authorities. Businesses will be entitled to a payment of £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000 depending on their rateable value.
Local authorities are also administrating a discretionary fund for sole traders, freelancers and taxi drivers and businesses that employ people but do not pay business rates. Last week this was doubled to £1,000.
The Welsh Government has provided in excess of £2.5bn funding to Welsh businesses since the start of the pandemic. Focused particularly on backing small businesses and Welsh communities, it’s targeted approach has helped protect in excess of 160,000 Welsh jobs which might otherwise have been lost.
Apply for Economic Resilience Fund support here:
BUSINESSES in Pembrokeshire which have been impacted by the move to Alert Level 2 Covid-19 measures in Wales will soon be able to register or apply for Welsh Government funding.
The First Minister announced a £120m package of support for nightclubs, events, retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses and their supply chains, impacted by the move to Alert Level 2.
An eligibility checker for businesses has now gone live.
Businesses are urged to check their eligibility at: https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/businesssupport?_ga=2.234856926.1944247233.1641292011-360841121.1641292011
The above link also features further information and a series of FAQs about the latest round of support.
The funding will take the form of three elements.
Non Domestic Rates (NDR) linked funding of up to £6,000.
Retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism business who pay Non Domestic Rates will be entitled to a payment of £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000 depending on their rateable value.
Businesses will need to re-register their details with Pembrokeshire County Council through an online process in order to receive their payments.
The Council will also deliver a discretionary fund to support sole traders, freelancers and businesses who don’t pay rates, with funding of £500 – £2000.
The Local Authority discretionary fund will be via a short application process with sole traders, freelancers and taxi drivers able to apply for £500 and businesses that employ people but do not pay business rates will be able to apply for £2,000.
Pembrokeshire County Council plans to open the schemes on Monday 10th January for the NDR related fund and Monday 17th January for the Discretionary fund.
See notes below for further information on the way the NDR linked grant and discretionary fund will be allocated.
The third element of the funding is a reopening of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).
On top of NDR based funding, this will see funds of up to £25,000 made available for severely impacted hospitality and leisure businesses – and their supply chains.
As with previous ERF rounds, this will support businesses who have seen a reduction in their turnover of more than 60%.
Details of the application and registration process will be published on the Authority’s Business Advice and Support pages: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/business-advice-and-support
The funding package is designed to support businesses impacted by the spread of Omicron through the period 13 December 2021 to 14 February 2022.
Please note that as a result of the new emergency support packages, the Welsh Government is withdrawing its £35m Business Support Fund, announced in November, in order to process emergency payments as soon as possible.
Any expressions of interest received will be notified of this directly.
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