Liverpool Commuters Enjoy a Taste of Spring

THE City's bus passengers had an extra spring in their step this on 19 April 2019, as Arriva teamed up with Liverpool Spring Festival to celebrate the return of the event, which is set to roll into Sefton Park, over 28 April to 29 April 2018.

As part of the celebrations, an Arriva bus was given a spring makeover and passengers were treated to fresh flowers and plant seeds during their morning commute. Arriva is the official travel partner for Liverpool Spring Festival, which promises to be a fun filled weekend for visitors of all ages.

The event features a huge selection of international street food and an artisan market to showcase some of Merseyside's most talented and creative independent businesses. There will also be craft beer, a dedicated gin and spirit zone, Prosecco and speciality coffee on offer.

Young visitors will be entertained with:- vintage fairground, pizza making, arts and crafts, donkey rides, a sheep show and a pop up farm.

Liverpool Spring Festival also includes a whole programme of workshops, where visitors can pick up tips on everything from gardening and growing your own vegetables to exercise, yoga, relaxation and meditation. There will even be a vegan and vegetarian cookery school running classes throughout the weekend and a dedicated garden area.

Isabella Kantor, Liverpool Spring Festival Event Manager, said:- "We're thrilled to have Arriva on board as our official travel partner this year and we thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to spread some Liverpool Spring Festival cheer among passengers ahead of the event. I hope our treats will help to get people in the mood for Liverpool Spring Festival. The event is set to be a wonderful celebration of spring as we bring a whole raft of outdoor fun to Sefton Park from international street food and artisan markets to wellness classes and gardening workshops. The soundtrack to the weekend will be provided by DJs from Liverpool Disco Festival and Disco Classical. It's going to be great fun!"

Lisa Pearson, Head of Marketing at Arriva North West, said:- "It finally feels like spring has sprung and what better to way celebrate than by treating our passengers to a taste of Liverpool Spring Festival on their journey to work. We certainly managed to brighten up the morning commute and I think we raised quite a few smiles along the way. We're really looking forward to being a part of Liverpool Spring Festival this year. It looks like it will be a fantastic event and our team will be on hand throughout the weekend to offer travel advice and we will also be giving away some fab goodies."

Tickets to Liverpool Spring Festival start from ₤7 and entry for children (under 14) is free. Visit:- LiverpoolFoodandDrinkFestival.Co.UK for tickets and further information.

82% of the North West haven't encountered female electrician, plumber or builder

NEW research has found that careers in construction trades are not being considered by women despite a strong public desire to see more females in the sector. Shockingly (82%) of the North West have never encountered a female in any of the main construction trades roles of plumber, electrician, carpenter or builder even though (90%) of the North West would like to see more women in such roles. Yet, more than 8 in 10 (79%) of women surveyed from the region have never even considered a career in the industry.

The survey commissioned by Able Skills, specialists in construction training, found that only (18%) of the people surveyed from the North West had encountered a female in these roles. Of those, (86%) described the service received as positive and would recommend the service to others. None reported a negative experience.

But why are there so few women considering a role within the construction trades industry? Women reported that the career was never highlighted as an option for them to pursue. More than seven in ten (72%) women in the North West said no family, friends, careers advisors or teachers had ever discussed a career in the construction trades industry with them.

The biggest factors holding women from the North West back from pursuing a career in a role traditionally associated with the opposite sex were concerns about: not being taken seriously (44%) concerned about prejudice (35%) and finding it intimidating (35%).

However the shortage of women in construction trades could be a trend on the way out, as overall British women aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to consider a career in the construction trades (35%).

Gary Measures, Managing Director of Able Skills says:- "The public want to see more women in the construction trades industry and trust them to deliver a good job. Proving that women's concerns about not being taken seriously and facing prejudice are unfounded. We really want to encourage more females to consider a career in construction trades and are really pleased to see that the younger generations may break down some of the barriers. In 2017 only 5% of Able Skills trainees were female but we really want this to change."

Despite construction trades roles being perceived as male orientated, there is a high level of trust towards women working in the sector. Almost a third (31%) of UK adults said they would trust a female construction trades person more to give them the best and most fair price, compared to just 14% who would trust a male more.

Able Skills offer construction training courses in:- electrical, plumbing, gas, plastering, carpentry, tiling, decorating and bricklaying. To learn more about Able Skills training or courses please visit:- AbleSkills.Co.UK.