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Helping young
people into construction jobs in Liverpool
12 young people have gained
a taste for construction while visiting two VINCI Construction UK
project sites in Liverpool. The visits were part of Get Into
Construction, a programme developed by the Prince's Trust to provide
young people with an opportunity to learn about job opportunities in
the construction industry. The number of young unemployed people in
Liverpool reaches 27%.
Aged between 18 and 25, the group spent time at the £18.5m
redevelopment of St John Bosco Arts College and an £8m multi-storey
car park at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Before
the site visit they spent 2 weeks learning the theory and practical
skills involved in carpentry, joinery, plastering, brickwork, and
painting and decorating. Participants are supported for a further 6
months after leaving the programme, with the charity helping them
into further work, education or training.
Martin Fitzpatrick took part in the programme and was offered an
apprenticeship with VINCI Construction UK's subcontractor, Bowker,
on the car park project. Martin said:- "I would like to thank
The Prince's Trust, VINCI Construction UK and Bowker for the
opportunity I have received. Bowker has offered me employment until
the end of the project with the possibility of a permanent position
thereafter. I think this is a brilliant start to a promising
career in construction. This wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't
had the support and guidance given to me by the Prince's Trust and
for that I am extremely grateful."
Bowker's Managing Director,
Richard Bowker, said:- "Our project manager has been singing
Martin's praises so we offered him a job. We are delighted to give
Martin this opportunity and he will make a great addition to the
team."
VINCI Construction UK's Learning and Development Adviser Michelle
Curzon, said:- "The Get Into Construction programme offers a
tremendous opportunity to gain experience of the built environment
and the different skills required. We are committed to giving young
people of Liverpool the best chance possible of making a successful
career in the industry and what better way to do this than inviting
them to work with our experienced staff on some fantastic projects."
VINCI Construction UK has a long-standing relationship with The
Prince's Trust and has committed to offering several Get into
Construction programmes, throughout the UK, in 2014.
The Prince's Trust helps change young lives. It gives practical and
financial support, developing key workplace skills such as
confidence and motivation. It works with 13 to 30 year olds who have
struggled at school, have been in care, are long term unemployed or
have been in trouble with the law.
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Fall in unemployment, but more
needs to be done
AS
new figures, that have been released this month, have revealed
that a fall in unemployment in the North West, the North West TUC
has called for more to be done to tackle the problems hidden by this news.
The Office of National Statistics
(ONS) revealed that in the North West, unemployment has fallen by
29,000 (7.5%) across the region. However across the North West, long
term unemployment black spots remain. Liverpool, Manchester and
Lancashire are particularly affected, ranked 6th, 9th
and 11th respectively amongst local authorities for JSA
claimants out of work for more than one year. In total, eighteen
North West local authorities have more than 1,000 JSA claimants who
will be spending their second successive year out of work but
desperately looking.
Lynn Collins, NW TUC Regional
Secretary, said:- "We welcome the fall in unemployment that
we've seen today but the long term unemployment figures show that
there is a clear need for more to be done in the region. Seeing
people, who want to get back in to work, spend successive
Christmases on the dole is not only demoralising for them but
damaging for us too. Getting people back in to work and contributing
is what we need and want to see. We also need to make sure that
people are getting into the work they need; there are nearly 1.5
million people working part time in the UK, when they want and need
full time work. We've got to get people into jobs that give them the
hours and pay they require."
The North West is not only
affected by the problem of long term unemployment but pay. The
recently announced Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings showed that
the North West has suffered a cut in average pay of £1,900 (7.1%)
since 2010, compounded by the continued squeeze on pay with average
earnings increasing by just 0.9% this month against inflation of
2.2%.
Lynn Collins added:-
"Festive cheer will be difficult for many families this year. We
hear of workers who tell us that they see their pay packet just
doesn't stretch as far anymore. At this time of year, it's more
noticeable as families will find it harder to afford the basic
necessities, let alone presents. It's little wonder that we are
seeing urgent appeals for people to donate to food banks across the
region."
According to the
latest labour market statistics, 136 local authority areas had more
than 1,000 people who had been claiming Jobseekers' Allowance for
more than 12 months in November 2013.
In the North West, these are:-
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Liverpool |
5,790 |
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Manchester |
5,040 |
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Lancashire |
4,755 |
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Wigan |
2,270 |
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Sefton |
2,210 |
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Bolton |
2,170 |
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Oldham |
1,970 |
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Salford |
1,920 |
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Wirral |
1,725 |
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Tameside |
1,620 |
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Rochdale |
1,535 |
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Knowsley |
1,515 |
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Blackpool |
1,445 |
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St. Helens |
1,405 |
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Stockport |
1,310 |
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Cheshire East |
1,160 |
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Cheshire West and Chester |
1,085 |
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Warrington |
1,020 |
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Trafford |
975 |
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Blackburn with Darwen |
920 |
APPEAL FOR
INFORMATION FOLLOWING A ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISION ON LULWORTH ROAD,
SOUTHPORT
MERSEYSIDE Police Officers
are appealing for information following a road traffic collision on
Thursday, 28 November. The victim subsequently died of her injuries
2 weeks later. Patricia Kelly, 84 years from the Southport area, was
crossing Lulworth Road at around 2.05pm, with an 85 year old man
when they were in collision with a black Vauxhall Astra car. The
pair were taken to hospital, where the 85 year old man was treated
for minor injuries. Patricia suffered serious injuries and
subsequently died on Saturday, 13 December 2013. The driver of the
car stopped at the scene and continues to assist police with
enquiries. Officers would urge anyone who was in the area at the
time, who might have witnessed this incident to contact the Roads
Policing Department on:- 0151 777 5444.
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