MARCH 2009 futures
13futures RETRAINING
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Time to shout about West Cumbria's success
NIGEL COUZENS
HEAD OF SKILLS AND CAPABILITY AT THE NDA
W
ELCOME to my first column as a
new contributor to Futures. I hope
you will find the comments I offer
both interesting and useful.
Having lived in West Cumbria for some
18 years now, I have had the opportunity
to see and participate first hand in the
education and skills arena at all levels and
I've always been impressed and enthused
by the achievements of everyone involved.
The establishment of the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority in 2005 was
for me a great opportunity to drive
forward a fresh approach to skills and
make an impact in the local economy.
The NDA Skills and Capability Strategy,
featured in last month's edition, is seeing
real and significant developments in West
Cumbria which will demonstrate to the
rest of the world what is on offer here in
terms of education and skills facilities that
are second to none.
Energus, the University of Cumbria and
the Energy Coast Campus, alongside a
world class research facility with the
Dalton Nuclear Institute and the home of
the National Skills Academy for Nuclear
are all examples of major investments and
programmes which we continue to
support.
I will share my views with you and
update on progress as these new facilities
evolve over the year and hope that readers
will be encouraged to take up the learning
and skills development programmes which
become available.
But there is also an international
dimension. The UK, indeed West Cumbria,
is leading the way on developing
opportunities for the nuclear sector.
I was recently invited to participate in a
meeting of the Global Nuclear Energy
Partnership to share the UK's approach to
skills in the nuclear industry.
There were some 25 countries
represented, all working with or looking to
develop civil nuclear power.
They all have major issues around skills
and resources and what was immediately
apparent from presentations and
discussions is that here in West Cumbria
and the UK we lead the way on developing
skills programmes to meet needs now and
for the future.
What we showed is that through
excellent apprenticeship, further and
higher education programmes, initiatives
with schools and employers and
investments in new projects such as
Energus, the Energy Coast Campus, Dalton
Cumbria Facility as well as those already in
place at Lakes College and GenII � we have
something to be extremely proud of.
Indeed my global colleagues were keen
to learn from our experiences and
expertise. I will continue to work with the
GNEP group and hope to embed our area
as a world class centre of excellence.
So my message is, watch out for the new
developments, get engaged, and let others
know how West Cumbria is making its
mark on the world stage!
Success at the double
for the jewellery twins
A
T only 16 years old, the Hodgson
twins are arguably the youngest
business owners in West Cumbria.
They have done what most people
only ever dream of doing and set
up their own business.
But for Matthew and Mark this
incredible achievement leaves them
completely unfazed. The Maryport
brothers not only went into business
while still at Netherhall School but they
started the thriving enterprise two years
ago at the age of only 14.
"The idea came to us when we went
bowling with a group of friends and some
of them were talking about making their
own jewellery," Matthew said.
"So we bought a make-your-own kit to
see what all the fuss was about and we
ended up really getting into it.
"Me and my brother made a few pieces
of jewellery but then family and friends
started buying it.
"Before long we were making jewellery
to order for them. It was then we realised
we could make a business out of it.
"It slowly snowballed and we ordered
more supplies from UK beading websites
but, unfortunately, it was proving too
expensive so we searched around and
found a US website which worked out
much cheaper � even with import duties
on top."
After 12 months of selling to family and
friends Matthew and Mark, took their
jewellery and designs to craft fairs and
local events.
"We have seen things really take off
after we started promoting ourselves and
our products," Matthew added "Every
month we attend one or two events from
anything from fairs to coffee mornings
and even women's groups.
"But we struggle to do any more than
that because we're still at school and
studying for our GCSEs.
"So even making the jewellery is
squeezed in between our studies. But the
business, M & M Inspirations, is selling
around 15 pieces a month."
The workload, Matthew says, is split
between themselves equally and each
have their own specialisms and strengths.
Matthew concentrates on pearly
jewellery and the more complex designs
while Mark focuses on gem stones and
crystal pieces.
Matthew said: "It can be hard when you
want to take the business forward but at
the moment school comes first; until the
end of June at least when we'll finish our
GCSEs. But we're still continuing with
the events.
"After that we'll carry on with the
business until it's time for us to think
about college.
"I don't think people realise how much
work goes into making a piece of
jewellery. Sometimes it can take us 30
minutes to make a simple set but other
times the more intricate pieces will take
us up to three hours.
"My favourite piece � a pearl 14ct twist
set � takes me three hours to make but I
have sold up to seven of those sets. It's a
really delicate, exquisite piece."
GEM OF AN IDEA: Maryport Jewellery Makers Mark and Matthew Hodgson

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