Support out in force for SSAFA at Liverpool Central Station

THE sight of a Star Wars Stormtrooper brandishing his DLT-19 Heavy Blaster Rifle (which looks nothing like an MG 34) at a railway station might seem a little unusual, but not when it is Liverpool Central Station, and the soldier of an evil galactic empire is a fundraiser for the Merseyside branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. Within the white armour is SSAFA volunteer Delroy Williams, and although his helmet precludes him being called a:- "familiar face," he, and others of local costuming group the Shadovar Guild of Assassins, regularly support the branch at events.

Tony Brougham, Merseyside Branch Fundraiser, said:- "It's fair to say that Delroy and others from his group create a lot of interest, and help raise a lot of funds, for SSAFA when they appear, and on behalf of all in the branch and those veterans, serving personnel, and their families we support, I am happy to say a big 'thank you' to them; as well as staff at the station. But I've got to express my gratitude to the good people of Liverpool and elsewhere who passed through the station and donated money to SSAFA. Everyone is feeling the pinch these days, but their generosity means SSAFA Merseyside can carry on supporting our Armed Forces community when, where, and how they need it, just as we have for 137 years."

For more information, including how to volunteer and fundraise for SSAFA, or to access its support, visit:- SSAFA.Org.UK.
 

Hugh Baird College launch new Occupational Traineeships in Construction Trades

THE Liverpool City Region's 1st Occupational Traineeships in Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery and Painting and Decorating have been launched by Hugh Baird College in Bootle. Currently, only 41% of Further Education (FE) construction learners join the industry in apprenticeships or jobs. The new Occupational Traineeships will provide a bridge between FE and employment, helping more learners move into the construction industry. It will also enable more young people to fast track their careers, with many able to potentially complete fast-track apprenticeships.

Lynn Masterton, Assistant Principal at Hugh Baird College, said:- "These new Occupational Traineeships have been designed to benefit those who have previously gained a Level 1 or 2 at a College and have not yet entered the construction industry. The Traineeships will provide them with an opportunity to prepare themselves for the world of work and to have a prosperous career."

Over ⅔ of trainees get a job, take up an apprenticeship or go on to further study after completing a traineeship. This new approach to traineeships aims to achieve even better results, and it could provide participants with the stepping-stone to landing a prosperous career.

The Occupational Traineeships in Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery and Painting and Decorating are for those aged:- 16 to 24 years or 25 years with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and who have a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification in 1 of the 3 subjects.

They last for 12 weeks with 8 weeks' work experience with a local employer, 4 weeks of hands on practical learning at Hugh Baird College and maths and English support where required. Funding for travel expenses is available, and those who complete the Occupational Traineeship are guaranteed an interview for an apprenticeship with the employer.

Lynn continued:- "Construction employers across the Liverpool City Region have told us they have a skills shortage of Bricklayers, Carpenters and Painters. The current construction workforce is smaller than predicted future demand with an ageing cohort of workers at professional and trades level which risks widening the skills gaps in the years to come. It is our intention that these new Occupational Traineeships will help provide access to a new talent pipeline for the workforce they need today and in the future."

The 1st cohort of Occupational Traineeship learners at Hugh Baird College will start this summer, with registrations of interest now open. If you want to register your interest in joining an Occupational Traineeship in Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery or Painting and Decorating, please click on here.
 

Bill Esterson MP urges Government to speed up School rebuilding plans

BILL Esterson MP has urged the Government to:- "get a move on" with the School rebuilding programme, saying School leaders needed certainty regarding whether their School was going to benefit from the scheme. Sefton Central MP Mr Esterson again raised the case in the House of Commons of Lydiate Primary School, which is 1 of the Schools that Sefton Council has put forward for funding from the rebuilding programme. Lydiate Primary School on Lambshear Lane suffers from damp, has leaking roofs and parts of the School building are unsafe. The ceiling in the headteacher's office recently collapsed.

Mr Esterson said:- "I asked Education Minister Robin Walker when Lydiate Primary School would find out if they qualify for funding from the School Rebuilding Programme. The School is in desperate need of a complete rebuild. His colleague, Baroness Barran, wrote to me a few weeks ago to say that Schools would hear later in the year if they had been chosen. Walker confirmed what she said that it would be later this year. The trouble with such vague answers is that they contradict the commitments given by Ministers that they understand that importance of telling Schools if they are on the programme. Very frustrating for staff, governors, parents and children not knowing what is going to happen. The Government needs to get a move on. I'll keep asking until they say yes!"

The School rebuilding programme carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at School and 6th Form College buildings across England, with buildings prioritised according to their condition. In 2022 to 2023, the programme expects to prioritise up to 300 Schools. Schools selected will be informed that they have been provisionally allocated a place on the programme, subject to further due diligence, and projects will then enter delivery at a rate of 50 per year. There are 20,000 primary and 4,000 Secondary Schools, in England. Sefton Council has made a bid to the Rebuilding Programme requesting the funds for a full renovation of Lydiate Primary School. Mr Esterson asked his question in Parliament on Monday, 4 July 2022.
 

Letter to the Editor:- "The Government should 'level up' opportunities by making bus travel free for care leavers"

"AT Barnardo's, we know from our direct experience of supporting young people leaving the care system across the North West that 1 of the greatest challenges they face at the moment is the high cost of transport. There are currently over 80,000 children in care in England and every year over 10,000 of them leave the system; and are expected to live more or less independently. Living on your own can be difficult without the support of friends and family nearby, which is the reality for many of these young people. From our rural areas to our large Towns and Cities, it can be even harder to get around the Region if you are struggling to make ends meet. That's why Barnardo's has launched its new Transport For Freedom campaign, calling on the Government to support and fund free bus travel for care experienced young people up to the age of 25 in England. Older and disabled people are already entitled to free bus travel through the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Given the clear benefits that providing free bus travel could have for care leavers including improving access to employment, services and reducing loneliness and isolation we believe there is a strong case for investment in a national scheme for care leavers. Greater Manchester has already introduced free travel for care leavers up to 21, but given the huge financial pressures on local authorities, Government backing is vital to extend this support to vulnerable young people in other parts of the North West and beyond as part of its 'levelling up' agenda. We are delighted to have the support of Stagecoach for our campaign. We know there is support throughout the bus and transport industry which is why we are also urging the public to sign the Barnardo's petition." Lynn Perry MBE is CEO of Barnardo's.