< Previous50 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY EDUCATION Options for school leavers have radically changed over the last few years as greater emphasis is placed on skills and education. In September 2015, the school leaving age was raised from sixteen to eighteen, ensuring that young people had a continuity of education from their early years into adulthood. Then, in April 2017, the apprentice levy – an amount paid at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s annual pay bill – came into effect. The latter was part of the government’s commitment to making apprenticeships more robust and attractive to both school leavers and to businesses. More recently, as the educational system continues to adapt and evolve, there’s been the introduction and on-going roll-out of T Levels. For young people, the benefits of an apprenticeship make it an incredibly attractive option to begin a career path and as an alternative to A Levels. They are a great way of gaining on and off-the- job training whilst earning money and getting a qualification. Despite the best efforts of government, there’s still many negative preconceptions about apprenticeships. One of the most pervasive is that they’re for manual labour, or a route only for students who haven’t done well in school, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. According to UCAS, there are apprenticeship for more than 1,500 job roles, offering young people an entry into a diverse array of careers, while official government figures reveal that in 2019/20, there were 719,000 people participating in an apprenticeship in England. There’s also a myth that there’s a one- size-fits-all approach when, in reality, there are four levels of apprenticeships: intermediate, advanced, higher and degree. The only downside is that they’re best suited to young people who have a clear idea of the career they’d like to pursue. For anyone undecided, pursuing A Levels, with its mix of different subjects, may still be a better option. But age need not be a boundary, with many thinking that apprentices must start at There are more options for young people and school leavers than ever before, but with the rise in online training and upskilling, it’s never been a better time for adult learners to learn new skills. The next level © stock.adobe.com/ methaphum The next level 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:18 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 51 EDUCATION sixteen. Official government data shows that the age profile of people starting apprenticeships has changed. 47% of the apprenticeships started in 2019/20 were by people aged 25 and over. Another persistent myth surrounding apprenticeships – and, indeed, a wider issue in STEM – is that apprenticeships are just for men. While apprenticeships may have been skewed towards men in decades past, things have become much more equal. In fact, it’s pretty much an even split with 51.2% men compared with 50.1% women starting apprenticeships in 2018/19. While apprenticeships are a great option and career path for school leavers, with A Levels and college courses offering flexibility, and the military providing purpose and community, they are no longer the only options available for students after GSCEs. T Levels are two-year courses originally launched in September 2020. Developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, they are equivalent to three A Levels and purely aimed at sixteen- to nineteen-year-olds following GSCEs. Students’ time is split with 80% in the classroom learning and 20% on industry placement (rather than the other way around as with many apprenticeships). As well as the benefits and flexibility afforded to students, they also have many advantages for employers. From a pragmatic perspective, industry placements offer companies a chance to look at the new talent coming into their industry – which can help them by opening up the talent pool for future recruitment, improve productivity and bring new ideas to the table. Ten T Levels are now available at selected colleges, schools and other providers across England – including many in and round Lincolnshire – with the remaining courses due to start in either 2022 or 2023. Whatever path young people choose, they are building their future through education, learning essential industry skills so that they become valuable members of society. However, education isn’t for the young alone, with adult further education and skills learner participation in 2019/20 reported at 1,745,800. Although there are numerous avenues to support adult learning, it is online training that has emerged as one of the most popular and flexible models – especially since the pandemic where 52 Á © stock.adobe.com/ auremar 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:19 Page 252 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY EDUCATION school, college and university learning was delivered remotely, and many furloughed workers took the opportunity to use distance learning to make their CVs more attractive. The appeal and popularity of online training lies in its flexibility. From a home office or smart device, it can be worked around any schedule, fitting in with other engagements and appointments, and almost always delivered in bite-size easy- to-digest parts. It could also even be undertaken on-to-go, turning that daily train or bus commute into a learning opportunity. Because of the nature of e-learning, it means training providers are uniquely positioned to get creative with their content and how it’s delivered. This ‘out of the box’ thinking offers a great opportunity to make courses and learning content more engaging, memorable and, thusly, more effective. It also means that content can be continually refreshed and updated with the latest research and findings in a way that traditional location- based courses simply can’t compete with (although, it should be said, traditional training remains critically important and there are many skills that simply can’t be taught any other way). Providers also have access to analytic data from which they can see what does and doesn’t work about the courses they provide and, crucially, the way in which they’re delivered. For adults looking to break into a new industry, upskill their CV, or make themselves more of an asset to their company, online training can provide a pipeline to success. © stock.adobe.com/ Jacob Lund Queen Ethelburga’s College We warmly invite you to our Whole School Open Day on campus here at the beautiful Thorpe Underwood Estate in North Yorkshire Saturday 29 January 2022, from 9:30am - 2:00pm. Join us to get an in-depth, insight into Queen Ethelburga’s and our community, which welcomes children from 3 months old to Year 13. The morning programme will offer you the opportunity to learn more about our Excellent rated (ISI) schools, meet with staff and hear from our students. We look forward to sharing our approach to education with you and discussing how we can support your child’s aspirations; through the quality of teaching delivered, extensive extra-curricular opportunities offered, and strong pastoral care provided to students here at QE. We look forward to meeting you soon! Please register to attend using the form on the website - www.qe.org/home/admissions/open-days 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:19 Page 3Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate An Excellent rated (ISI) school welcoming children aged 3 months to 19 years. Find out how we can help support your child to achieve their aspirations in our unique prep, middle and senior four-school model. Call to arrange a private tour or join us at our next open day on 2 October 2021. www.qe.org “To be the best that I can, with the gifts that I have.” www.qe.org | admissions@qe.org | 01423 333330 | York YO26 9SS Shortlisted for Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts and Independent Prep School of the Year. Call to arrange a private tour or join us at our next open day on Saturday 29 January 2022, from 9:30am - 2:00pm www.qe.org 50-53.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:19 Page 454 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY CARING R etirement is promised as a golden time, a renaissance in one’s life where there’s finally time to travel and to indulge hobbies and pursuits that were otherwise relegated to evenings and weekends. With a sudden abundance of time and a decline in work responsibilities, retirement is, for many, a chance to enjoy life like never before. However, it can be difficult to enjoy leisure time or creative endeavours knowing that one’s will isn’t in order. Families all have quirks and foibles, and not all of them are like something from a storybook but, by and large, most people will want to honour the wishes of their loved one after they pass away. Without a will – or even an up to date will – they are left in the dark. As well as leaving no funeral arrangements, dying without a will means that a person has no executor, there are no guardians specified for any children under the age of 18, no opportunity to provide a trust for children, as well as there being a potential for more legal costs as loved ones rectify any disputes after the death. When a person dies without leaving a valid will, their estate must be shared out according to the rules of intestacy. In cases where someone dies intestate with no surviving spouse or civil partner, but with surviving children or other descendants, the whole estate passes to the children in equal shares (whether you want it to or not). Therefore, a will not only provides peace of mind for the person writing it – removing stresses from retirement – but also from their friends and family. Despite many often thinking that creating a will is something done later in life, they can and should be made earlier. Where there’s a WILL Having an up to date will in place not only ensures that a person’s funeral wishes are honoured, their inheritance specified, and provisions made for any children, it can also have a positive effect on mental health and wellbeing. stock.adobe.com/Africa Studio 54-57.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:15 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 55 CARING In the UK, the only criteria needed to make a will is to be 18 or over and have ‘sound testamentary capacity’ – i.e. the legal and mental ability to make or alter a valid will. This is important as if the person making the will lacks testamentary capacity at the time that the will is executed, it is invalid, effectively making it so that person doesn’t have one at all. As the pandemic has shown, we are all vulnerable, no matter our age, and so taking the time to make a will ensures that your wishes are followed after your death, your children have guardians, and your assets and estate are divided the way you’d want them to be. But young or old, getting one’s affairs in order comes with a significant mental health benefit. We’ve all been guilty of putting things off – we’re only human after all – but things become increasingly difficult the longer we do so. When it 56 Á Keeping your future safe It’s important that your will be kept safe somewhere you can find it, but where it can also be accessed by family after you pass away. Although this can be at home, you can also store a will at your bank, at your solicitors, at a company that offers the storage of wills, or at the London Probate Service. 54-57.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:15 Page 256 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY CARING comes to something as important as a will, putting off making or amending one can result in stress, anxiety and even depression. There might be reasons for putting things off – especially with complicated family politics or possessing large debts – but there’s no overstating the relief involved with knowing that you have a will in place, that you’ve made your wishes clear and they will be mandated by law after you pass away. The human brain is incredible, but anxieties can become stuck like thorns and fester, manifesting in dreams, affecting outlook, and even impacting physical health and general wellbeing. For example, depression has been linked to a myriad of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis (all of which can radically impact and reduce those retirement years that are supposed to be a bright new chapter in life). So, when we say that having an up to date will in place can be fundamental to good mental and physical health, you know we’re not exaggerating. A will is the first of a broad two-stage process with the other being probate. Simply put, this involves the process of administering a dead person’s estate, organising their money, assets and possessions and, after any taxes and debts are paid, distributing them as inheritance. A person would have been selected to administer the estate in the will. A probate is a legal document which gives them the authority to share out the estate of the person who has died according to that person’s instructions. The first steps towards making a will couldn’t be simpler – go and see a solicitor. However, not all solicitors are made equal, so ensure you find a reputable one. It’s never been easier to read reviews and access aggregators like Trustpilot to find out information and feedback about a firm quickly. A good solicitor, like many we have across Lincolnshire, will take out all of the stress of making a will, providing advice and a helping hand along every step of the way. stock.adobe.com/Rido Businesses across the UK are looking at their day to day operations, asking how they implement best practice as they begin to recover from this pandemic. For those in the hospitality industry, food safety plays a key role in protecting your customers and staff, as well as gaining consumer confidence. Speak to your local Chemex Expert for support and guidance on reopening safely, without breaking the bank! Contact Peter Cussans at Chemex Lincolnshire for friendly help and advice. peter.cussans@chemexuk.com Tel 07941733201 54-57.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:16 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 57 BER 2021 A t T hh NOVEMB£2.95 of c A l gardens Homes a d What’s o fashion New sea g BLM G www.blmgroup.co.uk warmers Winter W W W L I N C 30+ y W W W . L I N CC O L N S H I R E T O oo ears y C O L N S H I R E T OO D A Y N E T oung O D A Y . N E T Lincolnshire Today’s gift subscription for only £27.55 with free delivery Call 01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341 1st 3 issues only £1 Looking for a great gift idea? Proudly serving the families of Gainsborough and the surrounding areas for over 5 years With sincere empathy and understanding, your loved ones as if they were our own. As your local family run and owned funeral directors, we have dedicated our lives to guiding those in our community through the difficult times of bereavement. 41 Heaton Street, Gainsborough DN21 2EA39 High Street, Saxilby, LN1 2HA www.cliffbradley.co.uk info@cliffbradley.co.uk Funeral Plans from £2,785 Private Chapel of Rest Day and Night Service Pre-paid funeral plans 01427 81061901522 708888 01775 711 959 www.countrycourtcare.com Spalding Common, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 3AS Fenchurch House Care Home Fenchurch House provides the kind of care we’d want all of our loved ones to receive. Our brand new home is beautifully furnished, whilst retaining a warm family atmosphere that makes Fenchurch House feel extra special. If you’re concerned about how your relative is coping and would like them to have more support, Fenchurch House provides family-led care in a luxurious and homely environment. • Bistro Café • Fisherman’s Arms Pub • Hair and pamper salon For more information about life at Fenchurch House Care Home contact Customer Relations Advisor Morgan Hicks on 07834 790 400 or email morgan.hicks@countrycourtcare.com. • Tailored meaningful activities • Daily Fine Dining • Luxury en-suite bedrooms Funeral Services Our funeral homes provide the best facilities including private arrangement rooms and peaceful chapels of rest. We also provide a funeral dividend during this difficult time of bereavement. A service from caring professionals To find out more contact your nearest funeral home: Lincolnshire.coop/storefinder 54-57.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:16 Page 458 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY PETS CORNER Ditch the Bowl I would always recommend ditching the bowl but especially in these dark months. Instead use interactive toys, which makes your dog have to use their brain. The first of the three interactive toys I recommend are a Snuffle Mat, which is a mat that has lots of pieces of felt knotted together. This is great for slowing your dog down and getting them sniffing out their dinner. The second is a Green Feeder, this is a plastic tray that has different height green nobbly bits, which makes your dog have to use their tongue to get their food. The third is A KONG wobbler, this is a red plastic toy that you put their food inside and they have to knock it around to get the food out. Freework Exercise Freework is a great exercise to get your dog moving around objects, surfaces and allows you to sit back and watch. This is a simple exercise but does slow down your dog and help them to relax. First you will need around 6 to 8 different items. For example, a small stool, LikiMat or a surface your dog can lick, a non-slip mat, snuffle mat, cushion, yoga blocks or cardboard box with newspaper in. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have these specific items as you can improvise. Select a variety of hard, Petcare in Winter months © stock.adobe.com/vvita Dogs Lady Pea's SOLVING ALL YOUR DOG'S NEEDS "I believe that there is always a reason behind your dog’s actions, so I am here to solve the mystery by putting the pieces of the puzzle back together, so you can have a happy life with your dog." Tel: 07977 290920 | Email: info@ladypeasdogs.co.uk | www.ladypeasdogs.co.uk Now it’s getting darker in the evenings and the weather is turning cold, are you worried about going out and walking your dog in the rain, wind or even the snow? Or does your dog really not like going out in the dark and the cold? Here are some tips and games from Susie Parker-Garrick, of Lady Pea’s Dogs, to help you get through the winter months. Petcare in Winter months 58-59.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:14 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 59 PETS CORNER soft, fresh treats like chicken, ham, hotdogs, gravy bones, something your dog can lick like squeeze cheese, or dog friendly peanut butter, and/or a crunchie treat like a chicken foot or pigs hoof. While placing out the items make sure your dog is out of the room. Place the items on the floor randomly about 30cm away from each other. Put a variety of treats over the items and in between them, which will give your dog more choice. Bring your dog back into the room and sit back and watch. What you are looking at is their body language and how they move around but also what item does your dog go to first? Do they avoid any items or are they unsure of any surfaces? What treats to they really enjoy? During this exercise your dog will start to relax and slow down, this will give you an insight into what they really like doing. This is what we call the ‘Reset Item’. This is normally the item they keep going back to and shows calmness around. This could be their snuffle mat or licking or chopping on a chicken foot, it really does depend on your dog. You can do this game when new people are visiting to give your dog something to focus on. Which Cup Game Take 3 or more plastic cup that you don’t mind getting teeth marks on but are also light enough for your dog to push over. Ask your dog to sit, if your dog struggles to sit and stay then put them on a lead instead. In front of your dog about a metre away, place a treat on the ground and put a cup over it. Go back to your dog’s side and point to the cup and say ‘Which Cup’ only say the cue once and stand back and watch your dog explore the cup. If your dog looks at you for reassurance then encourage them to keep looking for the treat by pointing to the cup. If they are suspicious of the cup then slightly lift it up to show them where the treat is or even just place the cup lip over the treat so it is showing. Repeat this a couple of times with one cup until they are confident enough to knock the cup over and get the treat. Then add enough cups but only place the treat under one cup. And then keep adding cups. This game is about your dog learning to use their impulse control at the beginning and then using their nose to find the treat. But don’t worry if they keep going back to a cup that has already had a treat under it as the scent pattern will still be strong. It all about them having fun. To make this harder you can have your dog out of the room and hide loads of cups around the room with treats under them all. To understand or learn more games please get in contact at info@ladypeasdogs.co.uk. If you require any equipment or treats then please visit our shop at www.ladypeasdogs.co.uk © stock.adobe.com/Photoboyko Private Training Behavioural Consultations, Pre Vaccination Puppy Consultations, 121 Training: Behavioural, Obedience, Agility & Tricks. Group Classes We offer Puppy & Adult Classes throughout the year. Doggie Daycare Half & full day doggie daycare, to give you peace of mind when you are at work, out for the day or just want your doggie to come and play with their friends. Home Boarding or Residential Training We offer Home Boarding or Training to give you peace of mind for when you are away. 58-59.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2021 17:14 Page 2Next >