Free courses for low earners launched

HUGH Baird College is pleased to be able to offer courses that will be free of charge to adults who are employed, but on a low income.  The change comes following a decision by the Government's Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to offer fully funded courses to learners on low wages.  From the, 1 August 2018, those aged 19+ who earn less than ₤15,736 each year (₤8.07 per hour) and are in full or part time employment will be able to benefit from free adult courses at Levels 1 and 2, potentially saving thousands of pounds.

Yana Williams, Hugh Baird College Principal and Chief Executive, said:- "1 of the biggest barriers to getting back into education for adults is how to pay course fees. This funding change will benefit those who are looking to upskill or retrain but before now could not afford the cost or access financial support. Now we are able to offer this support, we are hoping to welcome many additional adults to the College in order to improve their career prospects."

Eligible courses for this funding include a wide range of subject areas:- Accounting, Bricklaying, Business, Childcare, Health and Social Care, Computing, Joinery, Engineering, Counselling, Floral Design, Hairdressing and Beauty, Plumbing, Fitness and Hospitality.

Course fees remission is subject to eligibility criteria. If you are unsure about whether you are eligible, or if remission is available on the course you are interested in, please contact Hugh Baird College for advice on:- 0151 353 4444 or send an email to:- Enquiries@HughBaird.AC.UK.  To view all of the courses available at Hugh Baird College from September 2018, visit:- HughBaird.AC.UK/Courses.

Highways England's Regional Control Centre goes... 'Open House'

HIGHWAYS England are getting ready to throw open the doors of its high tech Regional Control Centre, located at Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside (Rob Lane, Newton), to encourage people to consider working for the organisation, including young people thinking of engineering as a rewarding career.

As part of the national Year of Engineering initiative, the Government company; which operates England's motorways and major A roads; is staging the open day at the North West Regional Control Centre, on Saturday, 15 September to let people take a closer look at what really goes on behind the scenes.

The ticketed event is open to anyone who is interested in working for Highways England. Visitors can find out how a Motorway is run from the Control Room, meet the Traffic Officers; some who may be familiar faces from the Channel 5 documentary series:- 'Winter Road Rescue.' You will also be able to meet some of the project teams who carry out the engineering schemes and find out what initiatives are being planned to improve road safety.

Highways England operations manager Louise Boothman said:- "As well as the obvious civil and electronics engineering jobs and On Road Traffic Officer and Control Room Traffic Officer posts, Highways England provides job opportunities across may different disciplines and we have Offices and outstations around the North West. The theme of Year of Engineering is 'take a closer look' and our open day at the Control Centre is the perfect opportunity for anyone who is interested in applying for a job with us; including budding engineers; to find out more. There really is something for everyone at the event so I would encourage people to book onto 1 of the 2 sessions we are planning; and to book early, as tickets are limited."

During the open day, there will be a chance to look round 1 of the company's high visibility Traffic Officer Vehicles, see the impact protection vehicles that help protect road workers, and get a closer look of some of the portable signage.

Safer tyre scanners will be available to view as well as the opportunity to talk to some of Highways England's road safety partners who will have various cars and motorbikes involved in road safety for visitors to take a look at.

There will be a guided tour and someone on hand to answer the various questions people may have.

The event will be staged across 2 sessions; between 10am and 12.30pm and between 1pm and 3.30pm. There will be spaces for 70 people on each session. A waiting list will be set up if any further tickets become available. Anyone wishing to book attendance at the event should visit this weblink at Eventbrite.

Although the RCC opened in September 2005, at the launch of the North West Traffic Officer Service, this will be its 1st ever Public Open Day. The building is situated alongside the Southbound M6, just South of Haydock Island, at Junction 23.

More information on Year of Engineering is available at:- YearOfEngineering.Gov.UK.