Rose for the home
LAURA MILLAR ROUNDS UP THE VERY BEST VALENTINE’S DAY FOODIE TREATS
Scenting the space around you with an uplifting rose aroma also creates a positive mood. For candles that mimic the sophistication of perfume and have 40 hours’ burn time, try Floral Street Rose Provence Scented Candle (£28, floralstreet.com), with rose absolute, raspberry and patchouli to transport you to a field of roses blooming in the sun, or La Montaña Sacred Roses (£39, lamontana.co.uk), inspired by the rose garden of a monastery in Valencia. The notes of damask rose, neroli and geranium are velvety enough to be comforting but have just enough crispness to put some pep in your step, which we could all do with right now.
THE SPANISH ONE
Channel an atmospheric tapas joint in Barcelona with one of Ibérica’s San Valentin boxes. The gift box (£70) includes its award-winning Juan Pedro Domecq ibérico ham, a bottle of premium sparkling rosé with two cava glasses, and a selection of luxury chocolates. The cook at home kit (£100) includes Manzanilla olives, artisan cheeses, a choice of two mains (red scarlet prawn rice or slow-cooked oxtail) and an indulgent meringue dessert.
Available for delivery nationwide, order
by tomorrow, ibericarestaurants.com
THE MEXICAN ONE
Wahaca has created two Valentine’s set menus to add spice to your romantic evening in. The non-veggie one features classics such as buttermilk chicken tacos, pork pibil tacos and sides, while the veggie one offers mushroom and
feta tacos alongside plantain tacos and more. Wahaca’s signature churros with either rich chocolate sauce or dulce de leche are included and, if music be the food of love, play its lovingly curated V-Day playlist, accessed via a QR code on the takeaway bag. £45 for two. Available for delivery from branches of
Wahaca nationwide and on Deliveroo between today and Sunday, wahaca.co.uk
THE CHINESE ONE
Not just any old Chinese takeaway, uberglam Mayfair restaurant Park Chinois is offering a Love Chinois at Home Valentine’s dinner delivery. With a
vegetarian set menu also available, start with dim sum and wasabi prawns followed by Cantonese roast duck and wild sea bass, with tempting chocolate mousse and a brownie to finish. You also get a choice of two bottled cocktails, alongside chopstick holders and a calligraphy notecard to up your placesetting game. £195 for two.
Available within central London on Saturday and Sunday, parkchinois.com
THE BURGER ONE
If you love anything in a bun, then Burger & Beyond’s Valentine’s Kit is for you. Kick off with fried chicken strips dunked in honey mustard mayo, then make way for the main event – the best-selling Bacon Butter Burgers (35-day aged beef, pancetta bacon, American cheese, burnt
butter mayo, pickled onion) with your choice of Truffle Tots or Dirty Tots. Finish with sweet and sticky salted caramel brownies while you pop a bottle of Bella Modella Prosecco. £59.95 for two. Available for delivery nationwide,
burgerandbeyondshop.co.uk
THE SWEET ONE
Krispy Kreme has partnered with Swizzels to launch a range of retro-style Love Hearts doughnuts that are perfect for Valentine’s, Galentine’s and everything in between. Fillings include chocolate kreme, strawberry and sherbet kreme, and lemon and sherbet kreme, with love heart messages including ‘My hero’, ‘I love you’ and ‘BFF’. A-dough-rable. Valentine’s dozen £13.95, individual doughnuts £2.25. Available for delivery nationwide
or in store, krispykreme.co.uk
Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20
Today’s New Moon ushers in a time of exciting developments that might begin at a virtual event or meeting of friends. This spirited lunar phase can be a call to be adventurous as doing so could result in some wonderful opportunities.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0410 (60p/min)
Taurus Apr 21 – May 21
A glorious pairing between Venus, your ruler, and jovial Jupiter can bring good fortune. Stay alert for an opening or opportunity that someone shares as a goodwill gesture. It could be what you’ve been looking for. For your forecast, call 0906 474 0411 (60p/min)
Gemini May 22 – Jun 21
Let your inquiring mind be your guide as it could lead you to news, an offer, an idea or other exciting developments. A plan that has fabulous potential may be discussed and you could be thrilled by the possibilities that are revealed.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0412 (60p/min)
Cancer Jun 22 – Jul 23
You may feel the influence of today’s potent moon activity. As it occurs in a sector of change, this New Moon could usher in beginnings regarding a deep bond or concerning issues that need gentle processing.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0413 (60p/min)
Leo Jul 24 – Aug 23
Today’s key influence in your sector of relating can encourage you to hold that conversation or make an important decision. If you go for it, this could be your chance to implement plans and see what unfolds. You might get a gift.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0414 (60p/min)
Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23
There will be a breakthrough regarding a lifestyle issue that has been on your mind for some time. Even if you only take the first step to restoring order, today’s animated New Moon could see things developing steadily.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0415 (60p/min)
Sep 24 – Oct 23
A fresh start is possible, which may see a bond strengthening after a period of getting to know each other. This might also be a time when someone compliments your creativity, or when a charismatic person befriends you.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0416 (60p/min)
Scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22
You will soon be galvanised into tidying up your home. There will also be a chance to clear away emotional baggage that may be linked to childhood experiences. You’ll enjoy greater energy and freedom as a result. For your forecast, call 0906 474 0417 (60p/min) As Venus merges with Jupiter in your sector of talk and thought, good things might come your way and people’s natural warmth could spill over into work or your everyday environment. Keen to hear from someone? A chat will leave you buoyed. For your forecast, call 0906 474 0418 (60p/min)
Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21 Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20
Make changes with regards to your financial affairs. With an energising lunar phase occurring, an event or new information might act as a catalyst that helps you to resolve issues or find ways to enhance your income.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0419 (60p/min)
Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19
Today’s New Moon is the best of the year for you and occurs on the same day that Venus aligns with Jupiter in your sign. This wonderful blend of energies could bring an auspicious opportunity but you need to be active to get it.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0420 (60p/min)
Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20
A beautiful planetary line-up may give you the feeling that you can handle whatever shows up. This, along with the New Moon in a spiritual zone, could be a call to make inner peace your goal. There is great potential for positive inner change.
For your forecast, call 0906 474 0421 (60p/min)
APPRENTICESHIPS – like virtually everything else – have been badly hit by the pandemic. However, after falling by almost 20 per cent last year, the numbers of people starting on-the-job paid training is expected to bounce back sharply as employers train staff to plug skills gaps.
Covid-19 has brought about a huge transformation in many industries and as a result 42 per cent of skills requirements are expected to change by 2022 alone – and many of these cannot be learned in a university or college lecture hall.
It will mean school, college and university leavers looking for their first break – as well as career changers and those wanting to upskill – will find it much easier to secure apprenticeship opportunities in 2021.
Employers have a particular incentive to take on more apprentices. If they do not use their apprenticeship levy cash within two years of paying into the scheme, they lose it… and after the slump in apprentices last year, time is running out for firms to tap into this cash.
During National Apprenticeship Week, this week, there are a number of online webinars to help you find out more (visit nationalapprenticeshipweek.co.uk). The theme for NAW2021, which is run by Careermap.co.uk, is Build The Future with a focus on the jobs that will be in most demand in the years ahead.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
There are more than 7,000 apprenticeship vacancies in England currently listed on the findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk website. So, there is no shortage – and more will be offered as 2021 progresses.
Covid-19 has changed the employment landscape and this is reflected in the apprenticeships on offer – meaning fewer in high street retail but plenty in supermarkets. Other sectors such as travel have been badly affected but professional services firms – which advise other businesses – are still recruiting heavily.
The shift to online sales means a growing demand for digital skills too. Amazon alone has announced it will create more than 1,000 new full-time apprenticeships across the UK this year with 25 different schemes ranging from engineering to broadcast production, creative digital design to health, safety and environment technician.
Like a growing number of apprentice employers, Amazon is offering degree-level apprenticeships (100 in total) with pay of up to £30,000 a year as well as apprenticeships for existing employees to retrain and gain new skills.
With so many schemes in growth sectors, the theme of this week’s National Apprenticeship Week is Build The Future.
‘In these challenging times apprenticeships have never been more important,’ says Jennifer Coupland, CEO at the Institute For Apprenticeships And Technical Education.
‘They offer a positive chance for people to re-train and find new career opportunities, which will play a huge part in our national recovery from Covid-19.’
RECORD numbers of young people have applied to become doctors in the wake of the pandemic. However, university is not the only route into a healthcare job. By far the biggest growth in demand for apprentices has been the health and social care sector.
Some of these are degree-level apprenticeships including 2,000 nursing apprenticeships, with trainee nurses receiving a salary and having their tuition costs paid through the apprenticeship programme, so there are no student debts.
CASE STUDY: NURSING APPRENTICE NICOLA LEACH
Nursing degree apprentice Nicola Leach, 39, from Plymouth, has been working on the frontline through the pandemic and says: ‘This experience has allowed me to enhance my compassionate nursing skills, discover what type of leader I wish to be and realise that nursing is a real passion of mine.’ By taking the apprenticeship route, she did not have the financial burden of taking on tuition fee debt. ‘I am also paid a salary, which was a huge advantage and something which is not possible through a normal university route. With the usual financial commitments – mortgage, household bills and children – the monthly salary I am paid takes the pressure and stress off myself and my family.’
CASE STUDY: NURSING ASSOCIATE APPRENTICE ANUM NAWAZ
Nursing associate apprenticeships are relatively new and lead to a foundation degree rather than a full degree, although once qualified associates can then study for a further degree to become a fully qualified registered nurse.
This is what appealed to Anum Nawaz, who is a nursing associate apprentice at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
She started in the NHS as a level 2 healthcare support worker apprentice and was then inspired by her colleagues to progress to the next level, saying that ‘the NHS is a great place for apprentices as there are always chances of progression. Apprenticeships not only give you knowledge about the field which you are studying but also equip you with vital life skills to enhance your people skills, personal development, professional development, communication and so much more.’
CASE STUDY: MENTAL HEALTH APPRENTICE DANNY LAVERICK
Career changers are particularly welcome in the health and social care sector. However, very few come
from the Armed Forces. So Danny Laverick, from York, is unusual. He joined the Army at 16, but at 24 was looking for a career change. Looking for a secure job to support his wife and daughter he found work on a building site but was laid off just before the pandemic.
That’s when he spotted a job at Priory Group, which would allow him to use his experience in security. He embarked on a Learn And Earn Programme at Stockton Hall Hospital starting a Facilities Operative
Apprenticeship with Qube Learning, and now works as a secure receptionist in the mental health care facility.
Danny says: ‘I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to those looking to earn an income while learning, and I have avoided any debts and fees that occur with other education paths such as university.’
FIND OUT MORE: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Healthcareers.nhs.uk – the NHS has
more than 350 different career paths many now offering apprenticeships. Both the skillsforhealth.org.uk and skillsforcare.org.uk websites offer useful guidance on career paths on offer.
MAKING A LASTING DIFFERENCE
Young people have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, which has made securing an entry-level job particularly challenging. That is why apprenticeships are so vital – particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds who often face significant hurdles in securing their first job.
NGOs (non-government organisations), charities and social enterprises, are working very hard in order to help those from diverse backgrounds to overcome these hurdles. Between them, Bond, the UK network for organisations working in international development, and tech start-up Multiverse have helped over 200 people to secure apprenticeships over the last two years, with the fastest growth in tech areas such as Data Analytics and Software Engineering.
CASE STUDY: UNICEF APPRENTICE ISLAM FESSIH
Islam Fessih, 21, from London, is one of those who have benefited from an apprenticeship. He works at Unicef as a Business Admin Level 3 apprentice. Islam migrated to the UK from Algeria with his parents when he was three-years-old and initially struggled at school, but through hard work and determination secured an unconditional offer to read Law at Durham.
Like many young people, he felt pressure from his parents and teachers that going to university was the only option to achieving a good career, but chose to decline this offer and applied for an apprenticeship through Multiverse, where he secured an apprenticeship at Unicef.
Islam continues. ‘This experience has totally transformed my original perception of apprenticeships; it has proved an extremely invaluable experience so far and given me a foundation for a successful career in the non-profit sector. Unicef UK entrusted me with a lot of responsibility, allowing me to develop key skills such as communication, organisation and critical thinking – competencies which may not necessarily form part of the standard university curriculum.’
CASE STUDY: OLDER APPRENTICE CHRISTINE BARRETT
Making a difference to the world is not just important to younger generations. After completing a masters degree in Food Security in her early fifties, Christine Barrett from Market Harborough, embarked on a Programme Manager apprenticeship at World Vision. Christine, now 56, says: ‘After working in the private sector for many years, I decided it was time to make a difference in the world and use my skills and enthusiasm to help improve the lives of children who live in the most challenging places to grow up in the world.’
The apprenticeship is studied online (so it is Covid secure) and yet apprentices still benefit from 1.2.1 coaching. ‘I have learnt lots of skills that are directly relevant to my dayto-day role,’ says Christine.
Find out more at bond.org.uk/jobs/ apprenticeships and multiverse.io/en-GB