More than ½ of North West Residents believe University isn't worth the debt

54% of North West residents believe spending thousands of pounds on a University Degree is not worth the debt when it comes to improving career chances, according to new research from Greene King. The research, which was conducted for the UK's leading hospitality apprenticeship provider to mark National Apprenticeship Week, that runs from 4 March to 8 March 2019, found 64% would consider an apprenticeship as the most useful start to their career, and 80% see an apprenticeship as an attractive alternative to University. However, 63% believe there just aren't enough apprenticeship schemes around.  Many think that apprenticeships should be made more accessible to those with a lower household income, with 67% saying there should be more support to help them get into work. 1 of the most important places that the next generation receives advice on what they should do in their careers is in the classroom. However, the survey revealed a shortfall in career advice at School. 22% of most recent School leavers aged 18 to 24 found careers advice either not very useful OR not at all useful. 26% 18 to 24 year olds said they weren't offered careers advice at School at all. Greene King, the UK's leading pub company and brewer, works directly with Schools and Colleges to promote the opportunities available to students and offers an award winning apprenticeship programme that has trained 11,000 people since 2011. As part of a series of commitments in the company's Stepping Up report, which was published in January and looks at addressing social mobility, Greene King will support 20,000 apprentices by 2022.

Rooney Anand, chief executive of Greene King, said:- "We recognise that a University Degree isn't the only option for young people when embarking on their journey to kick start a successful career. Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to learn and earn; something that works really well for our team members. We offer apprenticeships up to Level 5, which is equivalent to a Higher National Diploma, and have seen time and time again our people develop from a stop gap job serving behind the bar to developing their career to become a general manager with the opportunity of running a multi-million pound turnover business employing as many as 70 people. In fact our general managers are instrumental to the success of our apprenticeship programme with 95% of our pubs having supported an apprentice since we launched our scheme in 2011. As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we're delighted to continue our support of 20,000 apprentices by 2022 as we continue to champion this important approach to learning and career development."

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2019) is an annual celebration of apprenticeships that brings the whole apprenticeship community together to celebrate the impact they have on individuals, employers and the economy.

Also study conducted by CV Library, the UK's leading independent job board, has revealed that a resounding 93.3% of professionals in Liverpool would choose to do an apprenticeship over studying for a Degree, with 52.6% believing that apprenticeships are better for a person's career prospects. What's more, the survey of 1,200 UK professionals revealed that while over 70% of workers in Liverpool haven't done an apprenticeship, 93% believe an apprenticeship can provide a worker with the skills needed to succeed in their career. Other key findings from the study found that a staggering 93.1% of professionals in Liverpool think apprenticeships can be helpful for bridging the skills gap, but 96.6% think more can be done to promote these schemes, with 48.2% stating that it's down to the Government.  What's more, 25% believe more information should be provided to students in education and 26.8% would like to see more businesses promoting these schemes at careers fairs.

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments:- "It is no surprise the public feel so strongly about the benefits of apprenticeships, and the majority of professionals in Liverpool understand this too. Not only do they provide you with qualifications, skills and industry knowledge, they can also adequately prepare you for the working world, so you're ready to succeed in your career.  There are plenty of these opportunities in Liverpool, with a range of firms that will provide you with an effective springboard to start your career. If you're considering whether to do an apprenticeship, my advice would be to research into your chosen industry and find the skills required to succeed. Then, compare them with the skills you could learn during an apprenticeship. More often than not an apprenticeship will teach you these skills and then some."

The findings come just in time for the start of National Apprenticeship Week, an annual celebration dedicated to acknowledging the impact apprenticeships have on the individuals who do them, employers and the wider economy.

Biggins continues:- "While our findings do highlight the benefits of apprenticeships, this isn't to say that Degrees aren't still important. In some roles, a Degree is a mandatory requirement and going to University can give you vital life skills that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. So, do what feels right for you!"

So are you unsure what is best, an apprenticeship or a Dagree? We would love to hear your views on this very interesting topic, so please email us to News24@SouthportReporter.Com and let us know your thoughts...

In good hands - Safe Families for Children wins national award for supporting families

CHARITY which has helped over 7000 children since 2013 earns highest recognition from leading think tank. National charity Safe Families for Children, who partner with local Councils across the area, has won a Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Award for its work connecting isolated families with volunteers in their community. The prize, presented on Tuesday evening at a prestigious venue in Central London, includes a ₤10,000 grant and promotion of the organisation's vital work before an audience of influential politicians, journalists and philanthropists. Safe Families for Children (Safe Families) was founded in 2013 and believes every child needs to feel loved and secure so that they can thrive. It works hand-in-hand with children's services, linking families in need with a network of local volunteers who can offer support and connect them into their community. According to the Government, 32,810 children in England and Wales were taken into care in 2017. Statistics also show that 23% of the adult prison population has been in care, and nearly 40% of prisoners under the age of 21 were in care as children. To address these problems, Safe Families accepts referrals from partnering Local Authorities, matching struggling families with caring volunteers in their area who can provide tailored help and 'wraparound' care. Involvement with Safe Families makes a crucial difference for families in preventing the need for children to go into care.  The innovative charity brings together a safe and friendly temporary home for children, befriending and support for isolated parents, and access to useful goods and services. Safe Families' volunteers, which often have a strong relationship with local churches, act as:- Host Home Volunteers, Family Friend Volunteers, or Resource Friend volunteers. Host Home Volunteers are trustworthy families who generously take children into their homes, giving the parents much needed space to deal with the pressing issues. Family Friend Volunteers befriend, mentor and support parents, connecting them into their community and making the home stable for them and their children. Resource Friend Volunteers are those who provide useful goods or skills to benefit families in need, such as a cot, clothing or helping with cooking or gardening.

Kat Osborn, Chief Executive Officer of Safe Families, said:- "Safe Families are honoured to have been nominated to win this award alongside such inspirational charities. At Safe Families we believe that every child deserves to thrive and that the best place for them to experience that is in their own family. This award recognises the passion and dedication of our 4000 volunteers who have come alongside isolated families; providing relationships that bring hope and enabling children to feel safe and happy in a connected and supported home."

Andy Cook, Chief Executive of the Centre for Social Justice think tank, said:- "Safe Families works with local community organisations such as churches and private volunteers to relieve the pressures on families that may cause them to break apart. Breakdown has long-term and irreversible effects particularly on the children, as well as their parents. CSJ research has repeatedly shown that if children are not brought up in stable homes, they suffer across the board.  The CSJ recognises Safe Families' compassion, generosity and efficiency in helping families to rediscover hope. Above all, those who work on the ground in often unforgiving situations deserve immense gratitude."

Macmillan gives around ₤596,600 in grants to people with cancer in Merseyside in 2018 thanks to donations

MACMILLAN Cancer Support awarded grants of around ₤596,600 to people with cancer in Merseyside in financial hardship last year thanks to funds raised by its supporters. Around ₤206,500 in Macmillan grants helped people with cancer in Merseyside to pay for heating or clothing as having cancer can mean you feel the cold more or may be spending more time at home between treatments. And approximately ₤28,000 was given to people with cancer who were struggling to cover the cost of travelling to and from their appointments with costs that could not be reclaimed through their Hospital.

The grants also covered the costs of other essentials to help manage the impact of their cancer, such as beds, chairs, kitchen appliances and washing machines. 4 in 5 people living with cancer experience a financial impact. The average is ₤570 a month. Increased costs can happen because people with cancer's income goes down while their costs for things such as heating and travelling to Hospital for treatment goes up. In total, the charity gave grants to 1,522 people with cancer, on Merseyside, in 2018. Grants were most commonly given to people living with breast and lung cancers in Merseyside.

Tanya Humphreys, Interim Head of Services (North West England) for Macmillan Cancer Support, said:- "½ of us will get cancer at some point in our lives so I'm pleased Macmillan awarded around ₤596,600 in grants last year to ease their money worries of people with cancer in Merseyside. Cancer can affect so many parts of your life and our Macmillan grants, funded by our supporters, covered essentials from heating to travel costs for more than 1,522 people with cancer in Merseyside in 2018 helping to make money 1 less worry. Grants are just 1 way Macmillan is there for people with cancer thanks to the public's support and I'd urge anyone with cancer to get in touch to find out how we can support you."

Macmillan offers grants to people with cancer who are struggling financially, have a limited income or savings.  To find out about the financial help Macmillan offers, call the Macmillan Support Line free on:- 0808 808 0000 or go onto the charities website. Macmillan is funded almost entirely by donations and we can only fund grants thanks to our amazing supporters. Visit:- Macmillan.Org.UK/GetInVolved today to donate or volunteer.

Care home fined for breaking fire safety rules

A South Liverpool care home has been ordered to pay costs of more than ₤11,000 for breaching a string of fire safety regulations. Stapely Care Home was ordered to pay a ₤6,000 fine plus costs after pleading guilty at Liverpool Magistrates' Court to 5 breaches of:- 'The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.'  The North Mossley Hill Road premises, which are run by a charitable trust, were inspected on 26 April, 2018 and a series of significant breaches was found. It was felt the seriousness of these breaches put the lives of staff and residents; some vulnerable; at significant risk, compelling Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to bring a prosecution.

On inspection in 2018, it was found the care home had failed to:-

► Maintain adequate fire separation in the cupboard ceilings, corridor walls, ground floor store room and basement.

►  Provide appropriate fire detectors and alarms.

►  Remove combustible materials from a means of escape.

►  Provide an adequate fire door with appropriate safety strips and seals.

►  Ensure that the premises and facilities were subject to a suitable system of maintenance, in efficient working order and good state of repair.

Brian Massie, Senior Fire Protection Officer for MFRS, said:- "This is a care home with approximately 70 residents, some suffering dementia and needing significant support. From 2011 onwards, several inspections of the premises have been conducted and it is clear Stapely Care Home were aware of their duties under the fire safety order. An authorised inspector visited the premises on 26 April 2018 to evaluate the fire safety provided; MFRA was of the opinion that they failed to comply with a number of provisions set out in the regulatory reform order; leaving people in the building at significant risk."

He said fire could have spread very quickly, as there were insufficient means of raising the alarm; insufficient means of preventing spread of smoke and fire through the building; and insufficient procedures in place to carry out effective evacuation of the elderly residents, some of whom would require significant help, adding:- "Due to the severity of the offences, prosecution was deemed a suitable path to take."  District Judge Shaw acknowledged the severity of the offences and noted there was:- "a risk of harm, including death, and a large number of vulnerable people were exposed to the risk." However, due to concerns about a very large fine having a detrimental impact on service users, the fine was reduced to ₤6,000.

Following on from this case, MFRS will be conducting a fire safety campaign targeting all care homes across Merseyside and we will be contacting them in due course. MFRS target inspections on premises that represent the greatest risk in the event of fire. Inspections are carried out on Very High Risk premises every 12 months and on High Risk premises every 24 months.  MFRS will continue to target premises in response to complaints, fires and referrals from partner agencies and resulting from other local or national intelligence, and within the public interest. Breaches that have the potential to cause death or injury could also result in prosecution.