Author: John McCabe

Children from a primary school in Sefton have seen their artwork go on display this week in the run up to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Pupils from St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School in Bootle have been working with visual artist Nicola McGovern to decorate an egg, which was today (30 March) unveiled at Liverpool ONE.

Inspired by the Ukrainian and Eastern European tradition of egg painting, Pysanka Eggs is a partnership between Liverpool ONE and Liverpool City Council.

The project is part of EuroLearn, made possible thanks to generous funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund with additional funds from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Funding from Spirit of 2012 will also support EuroLearn as well as the future evaluation of Eurovision’s benefit to the city region.

The display features seven eggs, one for each city region plus one for Ukraine. The Sefton egg called Sounds We Love is inspired by the nightingale, the national symbol for Ukraine,

Nicola explains: “The story goes that the bird came from India and sang songs to cheer people up. So, our egg explores sounds that make us feel good. This ties in really well with the themes for the EuroLearn programme of mental health and well-being, home and sanctuary. Pupils illustrated sounds they love from home, nature, instruments and favourite activities and these drawings have been included in the final design of the egg.

“There is also a night-time cityscape of Liverpool and Kyiv painted on the egg, which celebrates the links that Eurovision 2023 has created between the two cities, and a heartbeat, which unites us all. The sounds we love and the cityscapes are encompassed in an overall structure inspired by Pysanka, the Ukrainian and Eastern European tradition of egg decorating. 

“EuroLearn has been a great project to be involved in because it encourages a wider audience to get involved in Eurovision. The children participating have been so imaginative and excited about working with an artist in their schools. I hope they have fun trying to identify all the sounds on our egg when they visit it on display in public.”

Rachael Chadwick, Deputy Head at St Benedict’s, said: “We are very excited about Eurovision being held in our city so it was wonderful to be part of this project. The children offered interesting and varied responses on the theme of ‘sanctuary’ and it was a fantastic experience for them to work with a professional artist. We can’t wait to see the eggs on display!”

Year 5 pupil Freya Romano added: “It was fun working with the artist. I think the egg will look really nice. I’ll go to see it with my mum.”

As Sefton Council’s apprenticeship team reflect on a successful National Apprenticeship Week, they’re encouraging employees and residents alike to consider apprenticeships all year round. 

In a week where the team joined organisations across the UK to promote the value of apprenticeships as a highly credible route for employees to enhance their careers, they saw a spike in applications for current vacancies and a raising in profile of the team.

A highlight for the team, was their presence at the Apprenticeship Information Fair hosted by Southport College. At the fair, the team took the opportunity as one of 25 employers present, to talk to many of the estimated 600+ students attending from schools across Sefton and West Lancashire.  

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“It’s great to see National Apprenticeship Week making an impact, but it is worth pointing out that our apprenticeship team do a great job throughout the year attracting new apprentices to Sefton Council, many of whom go on to have good careers with the authority. I implore anyone in Sefton or the wider city region considering the next step for their career, to get in touch with Sefton’s friendly and well-informed apprenticeship team”.

To find out more about apprenticeships with Sefton Council, visit the Apprenticeships page of the council website or email the Apprenticeship team.

Sefton Council is celebrating its apprentices to mark National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 Feb), highlighting the variety of opportunities available with the local authority.  

Taking the form of a series of interviews with apprentices, Sefton’s celebration comes hot on the heels of a recent meet and greet event between new apprentices and local councillors. 

The regular meet and greets  are a chance for councillors to welcome apprentices to the council while gaining invaluable insight into what each apprenticeship entails.  

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week is #SkillsforLife – a chance for employers to promote apprenticeships and how they prepare the workforce for the roles of the future.  

Lead by Sefton’s Apprenticeship team, the celebration will be joined by the council’s Community Learning Service to promote vital functional skills, such as Maths, English and ICT – a Level 2 qualification (equivalent to GCSE C/4) will mean progress to higher level apprenticeships and in your career path. 

National Apprenticeship Week also represents a chance for the Council to celebrate its own apprentices online and on social media.  

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said: 

“It’s never too early or too late to accelerate your career and enhance your skills.  Whether it is something that is on your mind or not, I encourage you to use National Apprenticeship Week to consider your future and what you want it to look like. 

“At Sefton Council we promote learning and development, and have a fantastic Apprenticeship team who can support you to find qualifications to fit the many vocational areas. There’s no greater endorsement than that of apprentices themselves so please take the time to read their stories and be inspired by their journeys. 

“We regularly recruit new apprentices as a way to join Sefton Council and learn on the job, so keep your eyes peeled for any apprenticeship opportunities and other vacancies on offer.” 

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Skills and Regeneration said: 

“It’s heartening to see apprentices progress with Sefton Council, and in many cases find permanent roles within the organisation. It’s heartening because it shows we’re truly a learning organisation, with a workforce ready to help us adapt to future challenges, and it also shows we’re an organisation where staff feel valued in an environment where they can push on in their chosen career path.  

“I hear from apprentices on a regular basis, but it’s still satisfying to use National Apprenticeship Week as a time to hear their stories and reflect on their journeys with Sefton. If anyone within Sefton Council or not yet with us, you should consider an apprenticeship as a great opportunity to be at the cutting edge in your field and to move up in your career.” 

To be alerted to apprenticeship or other employment opportunities with Sefton Council, check out the vacancies at our Jobs Go Public website  

Visit Sefton Council’s Apprenticeship Service dedicated webpage to learn more about the support they offer, or check out our Community Learning Service webpages to learn more about functional skills and other courses on offer.  

Sefton Council is hosting a series of key events for its staff to consider apprenticeships as a route to develop their skills and career path during National Apprenticeship Week, while also shining a light on the progress of Sefton’s apprentices.

Taking place 6-12 February, the theme for National Apprenticeship Week is #SkillsforLife – a chance for employers to promote apprenticeships and how they prepare the workforce for the roles of the future.

Sefton’s Community Learning Service will also use this week to promoting core skills such as Maths, English and ICT – a level qualification (equivalent to GCSE C/4) will mean progress to higher level apprenticeships and in your career path. 

National Apprenticeship Week also represents a chance for the Council to celebrate its own apprentices online and on social media. 

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“It’s never too early or too late to accelerate your career and enhance your skills.  Whether it is something that is on your mind or not, I encourage you to use National Apprenticeship Week to consider your future and what you want it to look like.

“At Sefton Council we promote learning and development, and have a fantastic Apprenticeship team who can support you to find qualifications to fit the many vocational areas. There’s no greater endorsement than that of apprentices themselves so please take the time to read their stories and be inspired by their journeys.

“We regularly recruit new apprentices as a way to join Sefton Council and learn on the job, so keep your eyes peeled for any apprenticeship opportunities and other vacancies on offer.”

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Skills and Regeneration said:

“It’s heartening to see apprentices progress with Sefton Council, and in many cases find permanent roles within the organisation. It’s heartening because it shows we’re truly a learning organisation, with a workforce ready to help us adapt to future challenges, and it also shows we’re an organisation where staff feel valued in an environment where they can push on in their chosen career path.

“I hear from apprentices on a regular basis, but it’s still satisfying to use National Apprenticeship Week as a time to hear their stories and reflect on their journeys with Sefton. If anyone within Sefton Council or not yet with us, you should consider an apprenticeship as a great opportunity to be at the cutting edge in your field and to move up in your career.”

To be alerted to apprenticeship or other employment opportunities with Sefton Council, check out the vacancies at our Jobs Go Public website

Visit Sefton Council’s Apprenticeship Service dedicated webpage to learn more about the support they offer, or check out our Community Learning Service webpages to learn more about functional skills and other courses on offer.