New app to help school leavers find apprenticeships

 A new mobile app has been created to connect school leavers and other young people to learning opportunities across the Liverpool City Region.

Launched by the Greater Merseyside Learning Providers Federation (GMLPF), the local umbrella organisation for local skills providers, Mapped Out is the first app of its kind in the UK.

Primarily a tool for young people and school leavers, the app is also an invaluable service for schools, parents, community organisations and careers advisors.

Mapped Out is free to download on a compatible mobile device and gives users the opportunity to search for different training options which include apprenticeships, traineeships, study programmes and NVQ’s.

It covers all training opportunities across Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens and Halton and allows users to find training courses based on location or industry.

GMLPF represents over 80 training organisations across the region and its app directory will enable youngsters to search for training in their local area across more than 30 industries, which include some of the region’s key growth sectors: engineering, creative & digital as well as life science & health.

Launched at an exclusive breakfast briefing in Liverpool, chief executive of GMLPF James Glendenning, says: “It is crucial for young people to know what career options are available and where. With Government rules stating that everybody has to be in training or education until they are 18, there is still a lot of confusion about whether they have to stay on at school – but they don’t.

“The app offers practical help and advice to young people taking that first step onto the career ladder outside the school gates.”

Councillor Nick Small also endorsed the initiative and spoke of the long standing issue of ‘broken’ careers advice for young people.

He says: “Pioneering developments such as this app are at the heart of ensuring the future of the next generation through quality skills provision. Whilst the Apprenticeships sector is undergoing significant change, Mapped Out ensures young people have the means to keep updated about local training opportunities.

“GMLPF is to be praised for raising their game to help young people just starting out in their careers.”

16 year old Stefan Price from Bootle, is a digital media apprentice and Apprenticeships Ambassador. He helped launch the app and spoke at the event of his struggle to find an apprenticeship locally with no guidance from his school.

He says: “Leaving school is a very daunting time, especially for any 16 year olds who do not want to stay on for sixth form. The app makes it easier to get career information and find local skills providers by area, level of training and even includes hundreds of job types to choose from. This wasn’t around when I left school and it would have made a big difference.”

The Mapped Out app is now available to download for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store by searching ‘MappedOut’