News reports located on this page = 2.

Apprenticeship funding applications open

Training: Liverpool City Council Film Office apprentice Paul Dixon (pictured right) with his manager Kevin Bell.

EMPLOYERS are being invited to apply for a slice of Liverpool City Council's apprenticeship funding. The Local Authority is making available a proportion of its Apprenticeship Levy so local firms can invest in high quality training to recruit new talent and develop their existing employees. Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Barbara Murray, said:- "Liverpool is a growing City and it is vital local people get the opportunity to get on the employment ladder. This is a great opportunity for local firms to apply for funding to help them bring on board new talent so they can train the workForce of the future. Bringing new blood into an organisation brings fresh ideas and thinking and can really make a positive difference."

The aim is to create employment opportunities, increase the number of apprenticeships and create a skilled local workForce and a City 'skills offer' that better meets the needs of businesses. There are over 500 new apprenticeship qualifications covering a broad range of professions from level 2 (GCSE) to level 7 (masters) and many include professional qualifications and new skills and knowledge. Information regarding the full list of apprenticeship qualifications and local providers are listed on the Institute for Apprenticeships website.

Paul Dixon, an apprentice with Liverpool City Council's Film Office, said:- "An apprenticeship is a great way to learn on the job and for me it has been absolutely life changing. I've been an apprentice for almost 2 years now and feel confident about entering the world of work when it finishes. It has given me a real insight into the different roles on offer in the film industry and helped me set my sights on the future, and I plan to go freelance when my apprenticeship ends."

Who can receive transferred levy funds?

► Employers must be based within the Liverpool City boundary.

► Apprentices must be a Liverpool City Region resident (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.)

► Apprentices must be paid at least National Minimum Wage.

► There must be an approved apprenticeship standard relevant for the role (frameworks are not included.)

► The cost of the apprenticeship standard must be less than ₤15,000.

► The duration of the apprenticeship must be less than 24 months.

► Receiving employers or organisations must be able to demonstrate how their apprenticeships will contribute to Liverpool City Council's vision and aims set out in the Inclusive Growth Plan.

Transferred levy funds can only be used to pay for apprenticeship training. Funding rules dictate that they cannot be used to fund salary, travel expenses or professional membership fees. Full details of the Government's eligibility criteria can be found at:- Gov.UK.

For more information, and to apply, visit:- Liverpool.Gov.UK. The closing date for applications is 29 February 2020. More information is also available by emailing Apprentices@Liverpool.Gov.UK.

New Brake competition encourages North West young film makers to shout out for safer roads

BRAKE, the road safety charity, has launched an exciting new competition to inspire young people in the North West to raise awareness and campaign for safer roads. Brake's Project24 competition, in partnership with Manchester based Coop Insurance, asks 11 to 18 year olds to create their own 24 second short film that raises awareness about a road safety subject of their choice. The title:- 'Project24' was chosen as figures from the World Health Organization show 1.35 million people are killed on the roads each year; the equivalent of 1 person every 24 seconds. Road crashes are now the 8th leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of death for people aged 5 to 29. Brendan Sloan, Head of Year 8 at Co-op Academy Swinton, said:- "All of our students use the road to travel to School with great numbers cycling and or car sharing, so the messages from Brake really resonate with the students and the staff. This project is a great way for us to increase awareness of this important subject in an informative and personable way."

The competition was officially launched at Co-op Academy Swinton, near Manchester, where more than 200 Year 7 and Year 8 students took part in whole year group assemblies. The students are now planning and creating their films within PSHE lessons. And young people across the Region are now being encouraged to enter Project24 by creating their own 24 second videos raising awareness of a road safety topic of their choice and the solutions available to make roads safer, or to inspire people to campaign for safe and healthy journeys. Entries could include:- interviews, animations, poetry, artwork, music or anything else the young people feel like making; as long as it lasts no more than 24 seconds. Dave Nichols, community engagement manager for Brake, the road safety charity, said:- "This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to show off their talent and creativity to inspire others to make roads safer. At Brake, we know that young people are passionate about improving road safety and speaking out about the dangers they face. I would encourage anyone aged 11 to 18 to enter Project24, and we look forward to seeing their work."

The best entries will be showcased by Brake through its website and social media channels across the globe. And winners will receive prizes for themselves and for their Schools, including attendance at a special awards reception. The contest is open to Schools and Colleges across the country as well as community groups such as Scouts, Guides, youth clubs and emergency service cadets. By registering, teachers and leaders receive free resources including assembly slides, filming tips and fact sheets. The final date for entries is 4pm, on Friday, 3 April 2020. Winners will be announced in May 2020. For more information visit:- Brake.Org.UK/Project24 or send them an email.