LIVERPOOL LASS PROVES CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OFFERS ‘JOBS FOR THE GIRLS’

LIVERPUDLIAN Emma McParland has proved that the construction industry offers ‘jobs for the girls’ – by joining Morgan Ashurst, which is building the new enterprise park in Chalons Way, St Helen’s.

Emma, 21, has returned home to Wallasey to spend a year in industry with Morgan Ashurst, as part of her BSc (Hons) sandwich degree course in Quantity Surveying at Sheffield Hallam University.   “At the start, as the only woman on site, the lads joked with me a little bit but they’ve been great fun and really supportive,” says Emma.  “The only problem is that I can’t really talk about clothes or anything like that!  It’s a lot easier for women to get involved in the industry now, so there are more joining all the time.  I’ve been lucky because Morgan Ashurst really encourages women to get involved.”

Emma went to St George’s Primary School and Weatherhead Secondary School and College, both in Wallasey.   Her father and brother both work in the construction industry and by the time she was a teenager, she had decided to follow in their footsteps.   “When I was 15, I wrote to Morgan Ashurst and asked whether I could spend some time on site,” says Emma.  “I loved it!  Quantity surveying is a really good career to get into.  It’s also very satisfying because you work on projects from start to finish and you learn so many different things.  You can also be flexible about how to progress your career.  The best thing is that if you’re good at it, people will respect you.”

Emma is also 1 of only 2 women students on her university course.  “All my friends are jealous,” she joked.

“Emma is making great progress on the site.  As a leading construction company, we take seriously our responsibility to help young people develop their careers.   Emma is a great role model for other young women.  She has proved that with drive and commitment, the sky is the limit for anyone wanting a career in construction.” says Morgan Ashurst area director Barry Roberts. 

In the North West, Morgan Ashurst employs women in the departments of, design management, business development, commercial, customer and aftercare management, health and safety advice, efficient delivery of projects, document control and site management.   Morgan Ashurst offers 4 types of training programmes for young people.  The Developing Skills programme allows school and college leavers to develop skills and gain NVQ qualifications.  Year-long work placements are geared towards university students on ‘sandwich-style’ construction courses.  A special graduate training course, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, is offered to those who have just completed degrees in relevant subjects and existing staff are offered management training.

Emma plans to return to Morgan Ashurst once she has finished her studies.

Woolton wins Gold!

WOOLTON has scooped a Gold Award at the prestigious Britain in Bloom awards.  At an award ceremony in Chester, it was named one of the best in the country in the large village category of the 2008 competition, run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Inspectors were wowed when they visited the village in August to carry out the judging for the display, which has the theme “Local Roots”.  It includes a horse and cart feature on the Kings Drive/Speke Road junction reflecting Woolton’s roots in the sandstone quarrying industry; a striking new raised flower bed on Menlove Avenue and more than 100 immaculately maintained planters and hanging baskets dotted around the village.  And at 4:00pm Thursday 25 September, members of Woolton in Bloom celebrated winning the award at one of their winning flower displays, at the junction of Woolton Street and Allerton Road in the village.

Joint chair of Woolton in Bloom, Councillor Barbara Collinge, said:- “We were absolutely bowled over when the judges announced we had won Gold.  Woolton’s greatest asset is its community spirit and we have gone the extra mile this year to put on a wonderful display. This is a fantastic result for everyone who has worked so hard.  This is not just something we put on for the judges – we finance and organise spectacular floral displays and sustainable environmental improvements, including permanent planting and wildlife habitats all year round.  We also encourage local school children to play their part by taking part in litter picks and planting wildflowers and bulbs.”

The village was also nominated in two other categories, ‘public parks’ for Reynolds Park and Woolton Woods and ‘tourism’ for using its flowers and planting displays to attract visitors.

Councillor Berni Turner, executive member for the environment, said:- “This is brilliant news in our year as European Capital of Culture and shows that the suburbs of the city really are as stunning as our world famous landmarks.  The award is a great springboard into 2009 during which we will be celebrating the Year of the Environment in Liverpool. The aim now is to build on the success this year.”

Woolton has a successful track record for colourful displays, and in 2006 won a Silver Gilt in the competition.  Details of all of the winners are available online.

9 OUT OF 10 MPs BELIEVE STRATEGY REVIEW IS NEEDED TO TACKLE FUEL POVERTY

ACCORDING to a poll released by the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership, MPs were looking for a far more thorough fuel poverty package than that offered up by the Government – nothing less than a complete review of the Government’s Fuel Poverty Strategy.   Recently the Government announced a 1 off package of measures to tackle fuel poverty, but according to the poll, carried out by ComRes, nine out of ten MPs from the North West, believe the key to ending fuel poverty is to revise and strengthen the Government’s Strategy, with a focus on improving the energy efficiency of homes and the quality of housing stock.

The findings also reveal that to help older people in their constituencies, 2 out of 3 MPs from the North West think increased investment is needed in the Government’s fuel poverty programmes, including Warm Front.  According to the Charity, the UK Government’s latest contribution to Warm Front in England, which failed to reverse previous cuts made to the scheme, by no means responds to this strong show of support for an increase in overall investment.  Fuel poverty schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are yet to be dealt with.

However, long-term issues are just one part of the solution.  North West MPs also want to see short term measures including:

* Almost 9 out of 10 MPs believe the winter fuel payment should be increased.

* Half of MPs believe the extra tax revenue from rising energy prices should go to fuel poverty programmes.

With the MET office predicting a colder winter than last year, British Gas and Help the Aged are working together to help older people prepare themselves and their homes for the cold weather ahead.

Mervyn Kohler, spokesperson for the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership says:- “This research shows that the Government’s current fuel poverty strategy is a titanic failure – out of date and out of touch with MPs and the older people they represent.  After 8 years of worthy but patchy effort following the Fuel Poverty Strategy, our housing stock still haemorrhages heat and over 2 million pensioners are fuel poor.   Though the Strategy is an inadequate response to the looming crisis, it’s vital that the information available on current long and short term cost-cutting programmes for the fuel poor in the North West reach the older people most in need.”

Alan Pickard, energy efficiency expert from British Gas recommends:- “In the lead up to the launch of the annual British Gas Help the Aged winter campaign, aimed at improving the lives of older people, we’re working with the Charity to ensure older people struggling with the rising costs of living take advantage of the new schemes that energy providers have on offer.   This year, new schemes include free insulation for the over 70s, special deals on social tariffs and free programmes and products that will help save energy and money.  Older people are encouraged to contact their local energy provider today to find out what schemes they are eligible for.”

Ahead of its winter campaign, the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership has developed the following top 10 tips titled, Don’t Wait.  Prepare for winter 2008.

1.  Check your boiler Call your energy provider to find out if they offer free boiler checks for those over 60.

2.  Social Tariffs.  Most energy companies have social tariffs which offer customers cheaper payment options.  Contact your energy provider today to check if you’re eligible.

3.  Claim your benefits.  There is currently £5 billion in unclaimed benefits for pensioners.  If you call the Pension Service for a benefits check before the beginning of October you could receive 12 months of Pension Credit payments backdated, if found to be eligible.  Alternatively, for free face-to-face advice check www.helptheaged.org.uk to see if the British Gas Help the Aged Benefits Advice Programme operates in your area or contact SeniorLine for a benefits check on 0808 800 6565.

4.  Winter Fuel Payment.  This year the winter fuel payment for households including a person over the age of 60 is a one off payment of £250 and those over 80 receive £400.  You will receive it automatically if you are a state pensioner or a previous claimant.  If not, call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline 0845 915 1515.

5.  Insulate.  Stop your home leaking heat by insulating your loft or walls.  Energy providers can now provide free insulation for people aged 70 or over.  Contact your energy provider or the Government’s Warm Front scheme 0800 316 2805 to see if you are eligible for free insulation or grants for all ages that will help cover the costs. 

6.  Draught proofing Draught proofing the front door with a well-fitting curtain will cut down on draughts.  Draught proofing strips can also be fixed in window frames and to the bottom of doors.

7.  Windows.  Double glazing cuts heat loss, but can be expensive.  However, you can attach plastic film or sheeting to the window frame, behind curtains to help insulate your windows.

8.  Water tanks.  A special jacket that fits around the tank will slow down the amount of heat loss and keep your hot water at the right temperature for longer.

9.  Light bulbs.  Replace standard light bulbs with energy-saving ones.

10.  Flu Jab.  The flu virus changes every year so it’s important to have a flu jab once a year.

The Partnership will launch its annual winter campaign in early November providing information, practical support and face-to-face advice to help older people keep warm and well during the winter.

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