More set to benefit from the Liverpool City Region's digital skills programme

LIVERPOOL City Region Combined Authority is now offering further free digital skills training for people looking for a career in the digital sector, and co-investment to help employers fill digital skills gaps. More than 500 people, and 90 businesses, have already benefitted from the 1st round of training delivered through the Digital Skills for the Workplace programme, in areas including:- digital marketing, software development and cyber security.

Speaking about the training, Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool and Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills, Equality and Diversity, said:- "Investing in digital skills was crucial before the Pandemic and as we look to rebuild our economy Post Pandemic, as set out in the Metro Mayor's manifesto, they will be more important than ever. This is a perfect opportunity for people to learn a new skill, or build on the skills they already have, to boost their career prospects in this growing field. We know that local employers are crying out for people with these skills and making sure that our people have the right training will help them find work and succeed both now and in the future. I'd encourage employers and individuals alike to get in touch and find out more."

Councillor Ian Maher, Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Digital Connectivity and Inclusion, said:- "It's fantastic news that we are able to support these courses and a great opportunity for residents and employers across the Liverpool City Region to take advantage of the high quality training available. Digital skills are increasingly invaluable and our digital and creative sector is one of our City Region's success stories, that will help drive our economic recovery. I urge anyone who is interested to contact us and find out more, whether that's about gaining new skills, improving your workforce's skills, or getting involved as a training provider."

The Liverpool City Region was 1 of the 1st of 6 areas nationally to introduce this digital skills training back in September 2020, aimed at helping participants gain jobs in the digital sector. A new round of training courses will be funded with a further ₤1.2 million from the Department for Education.

The training on offer is delivered as flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector specific skills and fast track to an interview with a local employer.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will offer the following courses:-

► Skills Bootcamp in Full Stack Web Development.

► Skills Bootcamp in Digital Marketing.

► Skills Bootcamp in Cyber Security.

► Skills Bootcamp in Digital Design.

► Skills Bootcamp in AutoCad.

► Skills Bootcamp in Software Developer/Engineer.

► Skills Bootcamp in Infrastructure Technician.

The training is for adults aged 19 or over and who are either in work, self employed, recently unemployed or returning to work after a break. Some Skills Bootcamps may have additional eligibility criteria, either employed, self employed, unemployed within the last 12 months or those that are returning to the workplace.

The training is funded through the Skills Bootcamps scheme, which is part of the Government's Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs. It works in partnership with employers, providers and local Authorities to help people develop the skills that are in demand in their local area so they can progress in the digital sector.

Janet Rach from Wirral was self employed, and wanted to take her business online due to the Pandemic. She completed one of the Skills Bootcamps courses and said:- "I had no confidence in running my business online and so the course I chose covered social media, digital marketing and building a website. It boosted my confidence to the point where I now know I can make something out of it for my business."

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority now wants to hear from residents of the City Region who are aspiring to gain a digital role and need the skills to do so, training providers and employers. Employers can either work with the team to develop bespoke programmes for existing staff or those looking to recruit can offer interviews to newly-qualified learners with industry relevant digital skills.

To register your interest please visit:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.
 

Youngsters back clean beaches as Green Sefton prepares for busy coastline during School Holidays

AS the School Holidays begin, Primary School children, from Ainsdale, are leading by example and encouraging people to take their litter home this summer. 6 pupils from Ainsdale St John's Primary School, Year 6 Class, have created masterpieces that will feature on welcome banners to be used along the Sefton coast this summer. Their clear messages support the work of the Council's Green Sefton Service in keeping our beaches tidy.

While the younger generation is on board with keeping beaches clean this summer, Sefton Council is encouraging other beach goers to act responsibly when enjoying the coast through a commercial radio partnership, train carriage posters, bus advertising, phone kiosk coverings and large digital boards on key routes to the coast. The summer long campaign encourages both local and out of Town visitors to plan their visits ahead of time; use trains, buses, bikes or walk to beaches to avoid traffic jams or parking fines; not to bring BBQs to beaches and to take their litter home. It also encourages people to be kind to staff and mindful of the rare species found at the Sefton coast such as:- Sand Lizards and Natterjack Toads.

The campaign supports the on the ground Visitor Action Plan that has been in operation since Easter, which includes:- additional seasonal rangers prioritising litter clearance and bin emptying on busy days, as well as managing beach car parks at both Ainsdale and Southport.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:- "As the School Holidays are now underway, we're anticipating an influx of visitors across our coastal gateways at Southport, Ainsdale and Crosby, with National Trust partners at Formby also prepared for high visitor numbers. What we really don't want to see this summer, is an increase in community concerns at our beauty spots. And so, we're using lots of different ways to encourage people to plan ahead, and to support our Green Sefton team once they are here, to keep our coast safe and fun for all. The support of local Schoolchildren is also fantastic and it's amazing to see how engaged and aware our younger generation are of the effects of littering at places like our much loved coast. I hope that people read their messages, alongside our own, and take note!"

Mark Shaw, Sefton Council's Green Sefton Service Manager, said:- "There are so many measures as part of our Visitor Action Plan that we already have in place in support of a safe summer at our beaches. But 1 issue that we face time and time again is littering. Our Rangers are prioritising litter clearance and bin emptying; they are constantly doing this throughout their shifts and providing visitors with free bags for their rubbish, but more visitors means more rubbish. People should think ahead and be prepared to take it home with them. We have brought in large skips that we would ask people to dispose of their rubbish in when small bins reach capacity. Leaving bags next to smaller bins might seem like the right thing to do, but unfortunately it can attract seagulls and pests and result in the mess being spread around again. Our message remains simple; if you brought it to the beach with you, then you can take it home with you."

A range of measures have been put in place at the coast by Sefton Council under its Visitor Action Plan:-

►  Both Ainsdale and Southport beach car parks are open until the end of September; to ease parking complaints in residential areas and to maximise the number of parking spaces.

►  The implementation of a cashless payment system at beach car parks is providing quick, easy and safe access.

►  Variable traffic signs continue to be used to direct vehicles to locations where parking is available and away from areas that are full; like Formby which often reaches capacity.

►  Enforcement for illegal and inconsiderate parking is being targeted at the areas where concerns persist in conjunction with Merseyside Police.

►  Additional Green Sefton Rangers are assisting with car park management, beach cleaning and providing assistance to visitors.

►  Portable loos are located at Crosby and Ainsdale beaches once again; with increased maintenance owing to the high volume of visitors.

►  Skips are positioned at coastal locations to ensure litter can be disposed of, but visitors are reminded to take their rubbish home with them.

►  Rangers are providing free rubbish sacks to visitors during peak periods.

►  Volunteer:- ‘beach ambassadors' are also on hand at peak times to educate visitors on the special nature of the Sefton coastline, and asking that they respect it when they come.

Anyone planning a visit to the Sefton coast should visit:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Beaches to find out about travel options and facilities at its beaches and to read its Visitor Action Plan for 2021.

Sefton Council continues to work with the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership that brings together organisations who want to ensure the safety of visitors and residents along the 22 mile coastline. Members include:- Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and others.