January 2010

Those aged 18-24 and earning less than £16,510* a year, can now study with The Open University for free. Unlike standard grants and bursaries, any decisions are based purely on an individual's own earnings, increasing their chance to qualify for this great opportunity to further their learning with OU.

On many courses The Open University offer personal tutors who guide and support students, ensuring that they are supported throughout.

A new look for a New Year @ Connexions in Macclesfield

The Connexions Centre in Macclesfield on Churchill Way will close on Thursday, 4th  February at 5.00pm and will move into The HUB @ Connexions at 33, Great King Street.  All the publications and resources that Connexions provide will be available at the new premises and all Personal Advisers and Youth Workers will be based there.

New technologies have turned all of us, and mostly young people, into publishers of information, pictures, and videos. In addition, we can also manage our online identity in a way which may turn us into "celebrities". While bringing about new opportunities for personal expression and creativity, new technologies may also lead to embarrassing or even traumatic situations. For example, photos, once posted online, remain online and can be seen by anybody, even years after they have been posted.

Education Business Plus, working with a local consortium consisting of Hartford and Weaver ham High Schools and the Mid Cheshire College organised a Networking breakfast for employers and other organisations working within the Sports and Active Leisure industry. The consortium will be delivering this new diploma to students from September 2010.

The Skillset newsletter for January 2010 includes the following:-

• Opportunities for new writers
• Producers placement programme
• Opening of the Archive skills programme
• Last call for applications for a scheme aimed at Assistant location managers who want to move up the career ladder

Level 7 is a step-by-step guide to interview techniques to help school leavers prepare for the world of work. BT and Careersbox have worked together to present seven fundamental stages of the interview process in fun and educational bitesize levels.

Over the coming weeks we will be releasing the 7 modules and you will also have the option to download all 7 levels from the Careersbox website once they have all been released.

Career Progression with Barclays

When it comes to banking, Barclays is inspired. And our Retail Development Programme is another example of our fresh thinking. On this innovative Programme we sponsor you to complete a three-year degree while helping you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need for a front-line role in our Retail Banking business. When you graduate, we'll offer you a job as a Barclays Branch Manager or Assistant Branch Manager.

UKYP Election 2010

Young People get their vote!

The clock is counting down to the 2010 Elections for the UK Youth Parliament. All over the country young people will be voting to send representatives to the youth parliament which now holds its annual sitting in the House of Commons Chamber.

Plugged!  is a live music event for under 18s

Events are organised for the following dates at Winsford Lifestyle Centre:

March 12th, April 16th, May 7th and June 4th.  If you're in a band and would like to perform or just want information about these events please get in touch.

The attached Flyer contains the relevant contact information

January's edition of "The Source" features a Project Special, introducing the work of UK Youth's Hearing Unheard Voices project, with pieces from the local youth groups involved in the work.

Also included in the first edition of the new decade: