Hugh Baird College Prepares Students for Careers in the Growing Green Economy

HUGH Baird College recently hosted a Green Skills Day, which introduced over 300 Plumbing, Electrical, Engineering, Construction, and Carpentry and Joinery learners to the rapidly growing opportunities within green skills industries.

The event brought together industry leaders, including:- Cadent Gas, E.ON, Starship, JJ Smith, Lightwave, AB Engineering, and K2/Vinci, offering hands-on experiences and valuable insights into the future of green careers across multiple sectors.
Utilising funding from the Association of Liverpool City Region Colleges and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority,

Green Skills Day provided students with immersive experiences across various disciplines, including:-

• Plumbing students with Cadent Gas: Students participated in Cadent Gas' Virtual Work Experience, using VR headsets in collaboration with Focus VR. This interactive session provided real world insights into net-zero industry scenarios, offering a 1st hand look at sustainable engineering and gas sector careers.
   

• Plumbing, Electrical and Engineering students with E.ON: A 2 part session led by E.ON graduate apprentices and a learning specialist introduced students to career pathways, training opportunities, and routes into employment. A solar energy quiz developed with Peel Ports challenged students' knowledge, and prizes were awarded to winners. Additionally, students took part in a scenario based challenge, analysing client briefs and developing sustainable solutions. A general careers session led by social value managers incorporated a Lego based challenge where students designed their ideal green job; this included:-a social media engagement opportunity and a before-and-after quiz to measure engagement.
   

• Construction students with Starship: Students attended an interactive workshop featuring a presentation, a short practical activity, and a Q&A session focused on CAD 2D/3D drawing, showcasing the role of digital design in sustainable construction.
   

• Carpentry and Joinery students with JJ Smith: Students explored robotics in construction, learning how automation is transforming the industry and improving efficiency in sustainable building practices.
   

• Electrical students with Lightwave: An interactive session introduced students to smart home technology, demonstrating how smart devices can monitor and control electrical systems, increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints.
   

• Engineering and Building Services students with AB Engineering: Students gained insight into career pathways and industry trends, exploring how sustainability is integrated into modern engineering practices.
   

• Construction and Building Services students with K2 and Vinci Construction: Students attended a presentation and interactive activities focusing on the Bootle Strand redevelopment and sustainable innovations within the construction sector.

The demand for green skills is rapidly increasing as the world moves towards a more sustainable future. In the Liverpool City Region alone, 65,000 workers need upskilling to meet the Region's net-zero targets.

Addressing this urgent need, Hugh Baird College; an Ofsted Outstanding College; is playing a crucial role in preparing the next generation of professionals to thrive in the green economy.

Among those employers who attended the event, Mark Davies, Co-Founder and Architect Director of K2 Architects shared:- "Supporting Hugh Baird College via Green Skills Day is vital if we are to create pathways for these students into a high quality, local skilled workforce. As a Certified B CorpTM K2 Architects are advocates for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Listening and engaging with the students around the Strand transformation was highly informative and we are returning to the College to hear further how the students have approached the project as part of their coursework and learning. We have seen first-hand the extraordinary work and outstanding education that is embedded into the culture of Hugh Baird College."

Ryan McMahon, Apprenticeship Lecturer at Hugh Baird College, said:- "Green Skills Day provided our apprentice students with a valuable insight into the career pathways available after completing their studies at Hugh Baird College. They gained in- depth knowledge from industry experts on renewable energy sources and the future impact of technologies such as hydrogen. A soft skills workshop also helped them understand key employer expectations, such as timekeeping, professionalism, hard work, and confidence- essential qualities for a successful career in Plumbing and Gas.”

Paula Waltmaier, Director of Professional Construction and Trades at Hugh Baird College, said:- "Green Skills Day provided our students with hands-on experience and direct insights into the future of green skills and engaging with leading industry professionals allowed them to see firsthand how their skills can contribute to a greener future. Events like this not only inspire our students but also strengthen our partnerships with key employers, creating new pathways for training, apprenticeships, and future employment. We're excited to continue building these relationships and ensuring our students are at the forefront of the green skills revolution."

To find out more about Hugh Baird College's Construction and Building Services courses, visit:- HughBaird.AC.UK.

PCC joins forces with police and businesses to fight back against retail crime

THE Region's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Emily Spurrell, Officers from Merseyside Police and businesses across the Region are joining forces for National Business Crime Reduction Partnership Week (BCRP).

30 retailers and business groups are meeting with the PCC and local Officers for a Retail Forum to set out tangible actions to tackle shoplifting and violence towards shop workers.

This is the 2nd forum the PCC will host in the aims to provide constructive discussions that will enhance business security and build closer partnerships between:- businesses and the police.

Store managers, security specialists, and operation leads from shops such as:- Sainsburys, The Range, Boots, Asda and TK Maxx, as well as from St Johns Shopping Centre, Liverpool 1 and the Royal Albert Dock, will all be in attendance to share their views, concerns and best practice.

The 1st roundtable, which took place March 2024, discussed the need for continued reporting, better evidence quality, effective use of banning orders, and addressing the issue of repeat offenders.

During that time, the PCC and Merseyside Police have rolled out their QR code reporting system to Merseyside businesses, as well as installing 100 SelectaDNA Intruder Spray Kits in shops across the City Centre.

Shoplifting offences are at the highest rate ever recorded in the British Retail Consortium's crime survey, having risen by over 50% nationally in the past year. In Merseyside, cases have surged significantly with an 18% increase in:- September 2023 to 2024 compared to September 2022 to 2023.

This rise in shoplifting offences highlights the need for enhanced security measures and community awareness to address and mitigate this issue effectively.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:- "Retailers and local businesses are the backbone of our communities and provide a vital service to our Region. Today's forum is an opportunity for those businesses to have their say and provide feedback on the violence, abuse and shoplifting that affects their stores. It is also a chance for the police to update on the work that is already on-going to tackle it. We know the impact retail crime, including:- theft, fraud, and violence, poses to the industry, affecting businesses, employees, and consumers. The numbers speak for themselves, but behind every statistic is the harsh reality for those who work in the industry; whether it be a store owner dealing with repeat break-ins and stock stolen, an employee attacked physically and verbally, or a shopper having witnessed or been involved in a violent encounter. These are real people in our community and these experiences drive home the urgency of this issue. Shoplifting is not the acceptable price of working in retail and should not have to be tolerated. Similarly, being subject to threats or abuse should never be part of the job. It is imperative that we work collaboratively to mitigate these significant threats and safeguard the prosperity of our businesses and the well-being of our communities. Working with business owners and employees, we are focused on initiatives that work to protect businesses, their employees, and customers. I am committed to leading the fight on the crime and Anti Social behaviour that affects retailers, and these roundtables are just the beginning of a sustained, ongoing and productive dialogue that will help us to reduce retail crime in Merseyside.”