Nominations for the Cornwall Works WISE Awards 2011 open today, 7 January 2011. The awards recognise excellence in employment and skills activity in Cornwall. The awards ceremony itself is on Europe Day, May 9th, in recognition of the important role that the European Social Fund has played in employment, skills, training and innovation across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

> Cornwall Works WISE Awards launch

The brand new Cornwall Works website goes live on Monday 10 January and brings together all of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's back to work support in one place. Partners and organisations who engage with and support workless people and their families will be able to source for the right provision for their customers. Individuals can search for the help they need according to a range of criteria including location, age, benefit status and type of support.

The website, part of the Cornwall Works Hub will track and communicate changes in employment and skills provision and will be the place to keep up to date with "ready for work" employment and skills policy, implementation and delivery in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The Cornwall Works Hub also has a helpline facility. Call 01872 355015, email info@cornwallworks.org.uk or visit www.cornwallworks.org.uk.

The Citizenship For Life programme has worked hard to foster strong links with the private sector, to enable the young people who are participants on the programme to get a real insight into the working world. The programme is supported with investment though Cornwall Works enabling funds that pilot new ways of delivering employment and skills activity, through both preventative approaches and those targeted towards people who are on the margins of the labour market.

> Citizenship for Life

The School for Social Entrepreneurs in Cornwall has held a celebration event to mark two years and to share the successes of its students and Fellows to date.

> Read more

Cornish Regulatory Affairs specialist TRAC, has moved to new offices as demand for the company’s services continues to grow. The company – which provides a range of services to pharmaceutical companies in the UK and Europe - has relocated to the Pool Innovation Centre from Tolvaddon Business Park where it has been since 2006. According to TRAC Services, the move to larger offices at Pool will enable the company to develop its future expansion plans.

> Read more

Check out the Convergence Media Hub which now includes some interesting videos about people who have benefitted from the Convergence Programmes.

> Convergence videos

“If like me you are fed up with the news of cuts and more cuts and how many thousands will be out of work, where is the growth going to come from etc, then I invite you to look again at what has been achieved in Cornwall and a picture of our company as we experience these challenging times.

"I would much rather look forward than back, but for a moment look back to pre- Objective One days, and look around you now.

"It’s not only the physical landscape that has changed, but above all the very spirit of Cornwall has been revived.

"In place of “It won’t happen here” we now hear, “Why not here?” Cornwall has become the Brand of Quality.

"So what does this mean for a company like Brewer & Bunney?

“Part way through the banking crisis, our company’s prospect of meeting its business plan figures looked slim. As the dust settled, the delayed orders and shelved projects were being dusted off and brought back to the “can do” list and by the end of 2009 we were back on track.

“But would it last?

“Wouldn’t we be safer to be down-hearted?

“We are fortunate that the company has a wide range of customers, both corporate and private businesses, the private businesses being less affected by “head office decisions”.

“As suppliers of commercial laundry systems we are linked to the hospitality / tourist markets and the care and health sectors. Whilst the care and health sectors are challenged by big changes in provision and finance, the tourism and hospitality markets are taking up the challenge to be world class and undertaking major refurbishments.

“Each of these is for us an opportunity. For example, to introduce systems that give efficiency savings in energy reduction and staff time, can be self-financing.

“This past year has been a challenge, and at the same time our best trading year in over 30 years.

“We enjoyed the growing strength of the Cornwall Brand as we carry out business across the southwest. No longer do we find that being based here a disadvantage, as if it were the back of beyond.

“In our case it is our knowledge of the whole fabric/laundry process, combined with a highly skilled and effective staff that is the hallmark of our success.

“Successful business is always challenging. Isn’t that the fun of it?

“It is understanding the market; it is commitment to training and investment, and a committed effectual staff that has taken us to pole position.

“The order book to start the New Year is in excellent health,

“but… I’ve just turned on the News,

“They’re at it again!”

David Brewer

Chairman
> Brewer & Bunney Ltd

More information about the Rural Development Programme in the South West can be found on the SW Rural Gateway website and in the RDPE Update, a monthly e-newsletter and on the

Convergence website

For contact details and information about the fisheries programme, visit the Convergence website.