PCG WELCOMED AT DHL JOB FAIR

PCG's workshop sessions at the DHL Job Fair near Heathrow on Friday 10 September were very well attended, and delegates visited the PCG exhibition stand throughout the day.

By popular demand, PCG ran two identical workshop sessions designed for anyone considering freelance contracting or consulting. The presentations by chairman Simon Juden and Diana Watson included an overview of PCG as the trade association representing freelancers as well as practical guidance in terms of starting up in business, finding projects and retaining clients.

DHL recently announced its decision to move its remaining Global Information Systems functions to Prague. It has set up a Resource Centre to provide an outplacement service for affected employees to help them find work outside DHL. Around 450 professionals in IT, finance, communications and support have access to the facilities, and were invited to attend the Job Fair.

"We have every sympathy for those people whose jobs are being made redundant," said Simon, "and believe that DHL is attempting to handle this outplacement project in a sensitive and responsbile manner. We were of course delighted to offer our expertise and guidance to all those attendees who are considering the freelance option. Many of the things that one has to think about as a new freelancer - setting up a business, tax, VAT, IR35, S660A, marketing, accounting and so forth - are not obvious to anyone who hasn't done it before."

One of the delegates remarked that the PCG workshop had been the best session he had attended all day. There was a marked increase in the number of downloads of Guide to Freelancing from the website after the weekend, which can perhaps be attributed to the interest generated from this event.

PLEASE SPONSOR BYTE NIGHT 2004

On Friday 17 September 2004, Maxine Preston-Allen, managing director of PCG Affiliate member Pendragon, CC member Andrew Banks and PCG director Richard Robson will be braving the elements to join other hardy souls sleeping rough for the night to raise money for NCH, the children's charity. Last year, over 160 senior IT executives took part in Byte Night, and the event has so far raised over a million pounds for NCH's work with young homeless people and care leavers.

NCH helps children and young people facing difficulties or challenges in their lives, and it works with more children and young people, including those affected by poverty, disability and abuse, than any other UK charity.

Byte Night will take place at Potters Field, adjacent to City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA. Actress Jenny Agutter, of The Railway Children fame, has supported Byte Night since its first year and will join the sleepers in London.

This will be the second time that PCG has participated in the event. Richard said, "Byte Night is a fantastic way of raising money for a worthwhile cause, and the three of us are keen that our efforts should not shamed in such company; we would greatly appreciate your support."

You can make a donation or a pledge at https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/pendragon.

COMMERCIAL FORUM PROJECT POSTINGS

For information about the latest job, project, contract and work opportunities, see PCG's Commercial forum , and Members' Commercial forum. The Commercial forum may be accessed by Affiliate members, and PCG welcomes postings by agencies.

This week's opportunities from the Commercial forums include:

Part-time web designer for PCG - work from own premises

Excel training - London

Embedded Linux + TCP/IP developer - Scotland

REAL LIFE MEETINGS

Local real life meetings - known on the forums as "RLMs" - encourage members to socialise, network and discuss PCG issues. These meetings are open to everybody, and in many cases non-members are welcome to come along too.

Gloucestershire/Wiltshire - Golden Heart, Nettleton, near Birdlip - Wednesday 15 September 2004 20:00

North Kent - Monday 20 September 2004 19:30

Farnborough - Prince of Wales, Farnborough - Tuesday 28 September 2004 19:00

West Midlands - Rose and Crown J3 M42 - Wednesday 6 October 2004 20:00

Various members have also posted in the RLM forum about potential meetings in Taunton, Basel, Warrington, Sheffield, Norwich, Edinburgh, Shropshire and South Wales. If you would like to attend RLMs in any of these areas, please register your interest by posting to the relevant thread.

OTHER EVENTS

AICS, London - Thursday 30 September 2004 18:45

Guest speaker Scott Childes of Royal Mail will talk about address data management, explaining the finer points of addresses and postcodes and talking about some of the address data products available from the Royal Mail to developers of IS/IT systems.

5% OFF SAP'S NEW OUT OF HOURS TRAINING

The demand for SAP skills is constantly increasing, but it can be difficult to gain marketable new qualifications without taking time away from your job. In association with SAP UK & Ireland Education we're delighted to announce a fantastic offer open only to PCG members - a 5% discount off SAP's new Out of Hours training schedule.

The new Out of Hours training courses are held at SAP's Clockhouse Place Training Centre near Heathrow, and the schedule kicks off in October with a selection of BW, BW Academy and ABAP courses.

Register your interest today

For further information, including course dates, prices and booking details, click http://www.sapeducation.info/OutofHours/default.aspx?list=7.

PS. SAP is also offering a FREE personal listing in the SAP Certified Consultant Directory on the BusinessUnited web site for every SAP consultant who achieves certification via Out of Hours training - normal price £500.

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