Agenda item

(Report by Ms D Dunn, Head of Skills and Employability)

(Mr A Baillie, Skills and Employability Manager (Mid) was present for this item)

1.       The Skills and Employability Manager, Mr Baillie, introduced the report highlighting key points in the report and advised that the up to date figures on apprenticeships were due to be published this week.

2.       Members made comments and asked questions which included the following:

a)    A Member praised the report and the work undertaken since the apprenticeships function moved to the Education, Learning and Skills portfolio and the partnership Economic Development was forging with Education, Learning and Skills on this function. 

b)    A comment was made that there was still work to be done to increase the number of apprenticeships; look at where the service was going; and looking at apprenticeships in a holistic way.  Mr Baillie advised that the potential for apprenticeships was being looked into.  There would have to be a considerable shift in thinking to consider offering for example a level 3 apprenticeship instead of the pupil sitting “A” levels.  He considered that there was potential to do this as companies such as Microsoft already offered level 3 apprenticeships in software engineering, which he felt would make the apprentice very employable perhaps more so than sitting A levels.

c)     In reply to a question, Mr Baillie explained that apprenticeships were different to how they were viewed years ago.  Apprenticeships were varied now.  Work had been carried out over the past year and a report written on the types of apprenticeships.  He advised that apprenticeships were carried out for a minimum of a year before a qualification such as a NVQ level 2 was gained. 

d)    In reply to a question, Mr Baillie considered that it was important for apprenticeships to have a robust framework, and good quality training.  Mr Baillie advised that the term apprenticeship was use broadly and perhaps more broadly than it should be. The Skills and Employability Team were working with employers on what apprenticeship meant now and what level the apprentice would be working at to gain employment. The Member responded saying that it was important that apprenticeships retained their credibility.

e)    Mrs Law agreed to send Mr Baillie information on work being carried out in Herne Bay with those young people Not in Education Employment or Training (NEETs).

f)      In response to a question, Mr Baillie advised that apprenticeships were often viewed as a solution to NEETs and it was not the solution as many did not have the qualifications required to gain an apprenticeship, therefore there was work to be undertaken to prepare those young people to enter a level 2 apprenticeship.

g)    In reply to a question, Mr Braille advised that the local authority had a duty after the apprenticeship was completed to track those young people up to the age of 19 years.  One of the key indicators from the 14-24 Learning and Employment and Skills Strategy was to progress more young people from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE level) to level 3 (equivalent to A level).  Some employment sectors such as engineering required level 3 whereas hairdressing and construction employment could be gained with level 2.  The criteria of one year as a minimum for an apprenticeship was brought in this year but the majority of apprenticeships were for 18 months to 2 years and often led into level 3 apprenticeships.

3.               RESOLVED that:-

a)         the responses to comments and questions by Members be noted; and

b)         the Economic Development Committee noted that in order to deliver the targets within the 14-24 Learning, Employment and Skills Strategy by 2015, the Skills and Employability Service will:

Ø          Integrate all apprenticeship work undertaken by KCC into the “Kent Jobs for Kent young people” campaign.

Ø          Develop further the strong relationships with partners, including NAS, KATO, KAFEC and JCP, and any training providers that cover Kent through national funding programmes.

Ø          Develop a delivery model of the Skills and Employability Service to promote an all embracing “Apprenticeship Advisory Service” that supports all employers and all young people to access apprenticeships.

Ø          Continue to work closely with district councils, and other organisations that are promoting apprenticeships, to ensure a consistent message is given to young people and employers about the value of apprentices.

Ø          Develop a closer link with employers and training providers that offer apprenticeships within the KCC key sectors, and link them into sector conversations and other KCC sector actions.

Ø          Take a strategic lead on the development of apprenticeship pathways through the growth in provision of Higher Apprenticeships in partnership with NAS.

Ø          Develop employability programmes to equip all young people to be ready to access an apprenticeship.  This will include regular work experience for all young people studying post-16.

Ø          Be more proactive in identifying national funding opportunities that can add value to KCC apprenticeship work, and ensure we link in with existing initiatives.