Job help programme delivering new careers across the North West

THOUSANDS of jobseekers across the North West have seized the chance to retrain and build up their skills through the Government's Sector based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), which helps people start new careers and fill vacancies in growing sectors.

Over 5,000 people in the North West;and almost 65,000 across England and Scotland; enrolled in the programme since March 2020, supporting the Government's commitment to level up opportunity across the county and build back better from the Pandemic.

A SWAP lasts for a maximum of 6 weeks where jobseekers learn new skills, gain hands on work experience and build their contacts in a new line of work. There is also a guaranteed job interview at the end of the course for a live vacancy.

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said:- "The Pandemic has given many people the chance to explore careers they'd perhaps never considered, and SWAPS offer them a vital chance to get back into training for a job that's linked to a real vacancy. Through our Plan for Jobs and DWP Jobcentres in the North West we're helping sectors recruit and supporting people to enhance existing skills and build new ones so they're ready to grab the next opportunity."

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:- "The success of SWAPs is another example that our Plan for Jobs is working. It's fantastic to see the scheme is helping tens of thousands of people towards a bright new career as we emerge from the Pandemic."

Due to the success of the scheme, the Department for Work and Pensions announced earlier this year that it had increased its target for the number of placements to 80,000 in the 12 months from April 2021, backed by almost ₤60 million of additional Government funding.

From construction to care to logistics, employers including the NHS, Eddie Stobart and Diageo are already involved in the scheme and are using it as a way to recruit new staff.

Sectors with a high demand for workers such as hospitality have also been using SWAPS to fill vacancies, with the DWP recently launching a new partnership with UKHospitality. It will see Jobcentres across the country work closely with the trade association to better promote jobs in the sector, and support workers into these roles through SWAPS and the expanded apprenticeship and traineeship offers.

The Sector based Work Academy Programme forms part of the Government's multi billion pound Plan for Jobs aimed at protecting, supporting and creating jobs.

To help spearhead efforts to get Brits back in work the DWP has hired an additional 13,500 new dedicated Work Coaches across the country, while the Kickstart Scheme has seen over 31,000 young people start new jobs.

Teenagers jailed for machete attack

2 teens who launched a horrific machete attack on board a train at Liverpool Lime Street have been jailed following a British Transport Police investigation. Kyle Anthony Kearney, aged 18, of Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry, Wirral, was jailed for 8 years, at Liverpool Crown Court, on Wednesday, 30 June 2021. Bailey Doyle, aged 17, of Fletcher Avenue, Rock Ferry, Wirral, was sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in jail. Each had pleaded guilty to 2 counts of GBH with intent and possession of a bladed article at an earlier hearing. The court heard how the pair attacked their 2 victims as part of an ongoing feud on board a train to Wigan, at Liverpool Lime Street Station, on the morning of Friday, 19 March 2021.

On spotting the pair on the train, both produced machetes with Kearney chasing 1 of the victims down the train, attacking him with a machete. The 2nd victim managed to stumble from the train onto the platform where he was also attacked with a machete by Doyle. Miraculously both victims survived the attack.

Detective sergeant Ian Henderson said:- "This was a horrific attack which left witnesses distraught and traumatised by what they saw, 1 witness in particular has been left severely distressed by the attack. Both Kearney and Doyle are extremely dangerous individuals, despite their age; it is nothing short of a miracle that neither victim were killed, although both sustained severe lacerations to the head and arms."

Exclusive Post Show Interview with City Theatre's Cast and Crew

IN this video interview, we talk about the effects of Covid19 on small productions, like Bow and Arrow, as well as looking at the personal impact the Pandemic has had on the cast and crew of City Theatre. We also get to hear about their thoughts on the future for those within the performing arts industry.  This is a very open interview that gives an insight into a very important, yet overlooked section of the theatre industry.  To find out more about City Theatre, please go to:- CityEntertainmentGroup.Co.UK.

Play the Audio Copy of the video above, please click on here now:-