Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff-based DevOpsGroup is taking steps to help bridge the digital skills gap by working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch AWS re/Start in Wales. AWS re/Start is a free, full-time skills development and training program enabling individuals to jump-start a career in cloud computing, a fast-growing area of IT. A technology background is not required, and the DevOpsGroup program is focused on young people in Wales aged 18+ who are unemployed and keen to re-train. The course covers everything from coding languages and technical knowledge to employment skills that will help them achieve their potential. “There is an acute…

Bobbies across North Wales will be equipped with a “miracle” nasal spray which acts as an antidote to a drugs overdose after two lives were saved during a pilot project The use of Naloxone has been championed by outgoing North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner who said it was one of his proudest achievements ahead of standing down at the election for a new supremo on May 6. According to North Wales Police, nobody will be forced to carry or use the spray but there was “no shortage” of volunteers who wanted to participate. Officers will use personal protective equipment…

Following an exciting first year of growth, Dragonfly Marketing, a Cardiff based marketing agency which also operates in Bristol and Milford Haven has welcomed two new members to the team, strengthening their marketing offering for businesses. Marketing professional, Anna Sherer joins the Dragonfly team as Marketing Manager, bringing with her a wealth of marketing experience from previous roles which include O2 Telefonica and projects abroad in the UAE and Zambia. Anna will be supporting Dragonfly and their clients with creative and innovative marketing solutions and strategies. In addition to Anna’s arrival, Maggie Jurajda joins Dragonfly as Digital Marketing and Social…

Researchers at Aberystwyth University are calling on businesses and residents in Ceredigion to contribute to a study into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the county. Organised by Aberystwyth Business School, the researchers are looking at the effects on both households and businesses, and for evidence specifically linking vulnerability, poverty, and population dynamics to the pandemic. Supported by Ceredigion County Council, the study features two online surveys, one for businesses and the other for householders, which are running until Monday 7 June 2021. The business survey and the household survey are available on the Ceredigion County Council website. The…

A facility in Rhigos has been thrown a lifeline thanks to the support of local organisations and the community – allowing it to be repaired and open in a matter of months. During lockdown members of Rhigos RFC were dealt the devastating blow that the roof of the clubhouse had collapsed, deeming it unusable. With estimated repair costs of £30,000 the committee were at a loss of how to raise the money necessary to bring the clubhouse back into use to benefit the many local community members who use it year-round. Club and committee members quickly got to work setting…

Mrs Buckét, the award-winning specialist cleaning operation, today welcomes leading UK Transport and Warehousing company, Owens Group, to its client portfolio. Working across 11 sites along the M4 corridor, Mrs Buckét will deliver regular contract cleaning services including internal and external cleaning and disinfection using state-of-the-art machinery and EN14476-approved chemicals. 15 new members of staff have been employed by the cleaning specialist to support the new contract. Owens represents the 35th new client contract to be signed in the past 12 months, following a period of sustained growth for the business. Despite the pandemic, Mrs Buckét secured a £2.9m turnover in 2020,…

The Captain Tom 100 Challenge has inspired a Bridgend woman to run 100 loops of a local Strava segment, to support her nephew, who has Becker muscular dystrophy Gemma Howlett-Matthews will run 100 laps of a 300m loop, running a total of 42km  between Friday 30 April and Monday 3 May A regular runner, the challenge here for Gemma, is to run in circles, rather than her normal long distances Her loop is 0.26 miles or 0.42km, so total mileage will be 26 miles or 42km over the 4 days She is fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) to help…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending out about 2.5 million annual renewals packs to tax credits customers from this week. Customers should check their details in the renewal pack and report any change in circumstances to HMRC. The packs will be sent out over the next six weeks and all customers should receive theirs by 4 June. HMRC recognises that many tax credits customers will have been affected by the pandemic and may have earned less money than in previous years. It is important that customers check the details contained in their annual renewal pack are correct, including income…

A comprehensive full fibre network in Wales could enable nearly 49,000 people to re-enter the Welsh workforce through better flexible working according to a report carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The report, commissioned by Openreach, also reveals that a nationwide full fibre broadband network would also allow almost 18,000 people across Wales to expand the hours they are able to work if they wanted. And helping carers, parents and over-65s to access employment could contribute around £1.3bn in gross value added to the Welsh economy. Connie Dixon, Partnership Director for Openreach in Wales, said:…

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has announced its first Innovation Challenge Fund, open to any business able to demonstrate rapid simulation technology solutions for healthcare training. The £400k contract funding is available to competitive bids from any enterprise capable of delivering innovative, impactful tracheostomy training for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board: transforming the current training into a highly-engaging learning experience that overcomes the restrictions caused by social distancing, lack of training facilities and the need for self-isolation. The Innovation Challenge is backed by CCR’s Challenge Fund working in partnership with Welsh Government and the SBRI Centre of Excellence – providing…