Business Diary: October 29

Diary was intrigued to hear that some of the region’s sharpest minds will be meeting in Sheffield to consider the legacy of the miners’ confrontation with the old National Coal Board, and also debate whether public sector workers could spark a revolution. These are some of the hot topics in the spotlight at this year’s Festival of Social Science.

The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University have joined forces to host the annual national Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) festival, between November 2 and 9. This year promises to be the biggest yet with 33 events planned across the city.

Members of the public, schoolchildren and professionals are invited to debates, exhibitions, workshops and plays as part of the event which showcases social science research.

There’s likely to be impassioned debate on November 7, when the University of Sheffield will host an event which will consider how the miners’ strike should be remembered.

Sheffield Hallam University’s Psychology, Sociology and Politics (PSP) Department is urging public sector and voluntary workers to attend its Everyday Revolutionaries event on November 6, so they can say whether they feel empowered or demoralised under the coalition Government.

Dr Jon Dean, who is leading the event with colleagues Dr Andy Price and Dr Carissa Honeywell, said: “The meeting will look at theories behind anarchism and how they can be applied by practitioners working towards real change in difficult circumstances.”

Other festival events include Risky Business, a look at Information Management in digital enterprises; and Assessing the Legacy of Thatcherism, which pretty much speaks for itself.

For full details, timings and how to book, go to the Festival of Social Science website at www.sheffieldesrcfestival.org

Having a Good Day

Is the legal profession open to everyone?

It certainly is, according to Sarah Day, the managing partner at the Leeds office of DLA Piper, who recently picked up two accolades at the Yorkshire Lawyer awards. Ms Day grew up in Billington, Teesside, an area which became known for its high unemployment rate, and attended a local comprehensive school.

She recalled: “I had no family connections (with the legal sector) and they are not necessary, except perhaps in some of the elite London city law firms. We take on 12 or 13 trainees every year and they are from a variety of backgrounds. We also try to work within the community.”

Away from the office, Ms Day is a churchwarden. Her sister is an ordained priest and her mother was also ordained as a priest shortly before she died.

“It is a big part of my life,’’ she said. “It is a great contrast to my life here, and I enjoy doing the simple things like washing up after Evensong. My job is to make things happen for our clients, and I am very well rewarded for that, so I have no reason to complain about hard work.

“I have a friend who says you should never trust a lawyer with a tan because it means they are spending too much time out of the office. I can see his point.”

Career in classics

Fed up with the usual apprenticeship programmes and want something a bit more specialised? Diary might have the answer.

The Guild of Specialist Engineers has set up a new apprenticeship programme, which will enable young people to learn all about classic cars and how to fix them.

Chairman of the Guild, Eddie Hoare, said: “This is a major step forward in ensuring that young people are encouraged to enter the world of classic cars and other historic engineering, which accounts for billions of pounds worth of revenue to the UK economy.

“It also ensures that specialist engineering skills are maintained for the future.”

The Guild was set up to promote the interests of specialist engineers of classic cars and all forms of historic motorised transportation.

It was founded by an established group of specialist engineers in the field of classic and race car restoration and membership is by invitation only.

“The Guild recognises the need to promote the industry to a new generation of aspiring engineers,” said Mr Hoare. “Passing on technological knowledge and craft skills is crucial if we are to preserve our automotive heritage.”

As comedian and auto enthusiast Jay Leno said: “Keeping the knowledge passed on to younger generations is crucial if we are to preserve our automotive past.”