20/06/2007 by admin.

Free Welsh Language Interface Packs for Windows Vista and Office 2007 will be available to download in six months time thanks to the renewal of a long standing partnership between Microsoft and the Welsh Language Board.

Microsoft’s investment in developing software to provide Welsh language IT goes hand in hand with the Welsh Language Board’s efforts to incorporate the Welsh language in everyday life.

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20/06/2007 by admin.

Personal identity theft is one of the UK’s fastest-growing crimes, but company identity theft is also rising. A few simple steps can protect your business.

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20/06/2007 by admin.

Chirk chocolatiers Cadbury’s have once again been recognised for their work in the community.

The Business in The Community Awards for Excellence recognise the positive impact that businesses have in the marketplace, workplace, environment or the community. Cadbury’s Chirk factory employs 170 people and has been re-accredited for the second year in the Rural Action category.

More than 70 per cent of the 170 staff have been involved with volunteer work in the past year, giving up a total of 1,550 hours of their time to help out local causes.

In the past year, the Chirk factory’s work with the National Trust has influenced a national partnership with Cadbury and staff have continued to provide their labour to support local schools and community based environmental projects.

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20/06/2007 by admin.

North Wales last year attracted 9.6m visitors who spent more than £1.6 bn, new figures revel.

Returns from the International Passenger Survey revealed an additional 1.1m visitors spending £358m, an increase of 15% on 2005.

The UK tourism survey figures show an average spend per stay of £170.

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20/06/2007 by admin.

The Morgan Foundation Awards have been launched aiming to encourage entrepreneurs in the North Wales, Merseyside and North Cheshire areas. The awards are designed to find a generation of role models, whether they are new businesses, young entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs.

There are 3 categories and individuals can nominate themselves for the appropriate Award:

- Best New Business (less than 3 years since start up). Prize money: first prize £50,000, first runner up £10,000, second runner up £5,000
- Best Potential Business. Prize money: first prize £12,000, first runner up £5,000, second runner up £3,000
- Best Young Entrepreneur (aged 21 or under). Prize money: first prize £10,000, first and second runners up £2,500 each.

From the initial entries, a shortlist of candidates will be invited to an interview with a panel of judges. The results of the judges’ deliberations will be announced at the Awards ceremony that will take place in October 07.

For further information please contact the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards, c/o St Helens Chamber, Technology Campus, St Helens WA9 1UE Tel: 01744 742000 Fax: 01744 742001 Email: mark.hancock@sthelenschamber.com or visit: www.merseysideec.org

The closing date for entries is 31st July 07.

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20/06/2007 by admin.

The Modern Apprenticeship Awards Wales 2007 aim to showcase Modern Apprentices, businesses and providers of learning that have made outstanding contributions to learning through the Modern Apprenticeship programme. This could include achievements in personal development, business development and programme delivery.

Last Year’s awards saw entries from over 150 individuals and businesses. The Awards aim to encourage trainees, businesses and learning providers to enter the Awards, and seek to celebrate, recognise and reward entrants that:

• demonstrate that effective investment in training pays
• share best practice approaches
• show a dedication and commitment to the Modern Apprenticeship programme
• contribute to an organisation’s success
• identify and publicise exemplars of effective training.

The Awards evening will take place at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on 8th November 07, where the winners of the Modern Apprenticeship Awards Wales 2007 and the National Training Awards will be announced.

For further information please contact the Modern Apprenticehship Awards Wales 2007, Welsh Assembly Government, Ty’r Afon, Bedwas Road, Bedwas, Caerphilly CF83 8WT or contact Sian Powell or Mark Bradley on Tel: 01443 663776 Fax: 01443 663653 Email: info@maawards.net or visit: www.wales.gov.uk/maawards

The closing date for entries is 12th July 07.

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20/06/2007 by admin.

The Government has published new regulations to boost the minimum holiday entitlement from 20 days a year to 24 days from October 07, and then to 28 days from April 09. An estimated that 6 million workers will benefit.

The new regulations aim to:

• encourage early implementation and simplify arrangements for good employers who decide to offer their workers the entitlement faster - the regulations state that those companies who offer their workers 28 days leave or more by 1st October 07 and meet certain other related standards will not be bound by the new legislation, so long as they continue to meet these standards

• provide a transitional measure, where companies will be allowed to continue to buy out the additional leave entitlement (the 4 extra days) introduced from October 07 until 1st April 09

Then after 1st April 09 the buyout of any of the additional leave entitlement will cease. All part-time workers will be entitled to the extra holidays pro-rata.

The DTI will be setting up an online calculator to make it simpler for people to work out their new holiday entitlement.

It is estimated that in Wales 300,000 people stand to benefit from the new regulations, which is 20% of all workers.

For further information on the changes, to view the previous consultation and other related documents visit the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) website.

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