Agenda item

Ms Michelle Flegg, Workforce Development Strategy Manager, was in attendance for this item.

1.    Mr Murphy introduced the report and highlighted the importance of apprenticeships and investing in young people. 

2.    Ms Flegg provided a background summary of the apprenticeship levy introduced by government in 2017 and explained how the levy had been used within KCC and how it had been shared with employers. Ms Flegg said the Kickstart programme was a £2billion funded national programme which was aimed at creating six-month work placements for unemployed people within the age group of 16-24 who were deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment.  The programme closed to entrants on 31 March 2022 with placements due to be completed by September 2022.  Ms Flegg provided the statistics of people on the scheme and a summary of the financial implications. Ms Flegg said the Council was exploring the possibility of T levels, joint apprenticeships, and traineeships.

3.    Mr D Smith said the Leader as Chairman of the Kent and Medway Employment Taskforce had issued a press release urging employers to share their apprenticeship levy. The press release was circulated to Members following the meeting.

4.    Ms Flegg and Mr D Smith responded to comments and questions from the committee, including the following:

a)    Asked about the low figure for Local Authority Trading Companies (LATCOs), Ms Flegg said in the previous two years there had been a lot of activity within Cantium Solutions, and this figure would increase in the next financial year as the financial activity was balanced.

b)    A Member said data for the last four years would be useful so that figures could be compared year on year.

c)    Only 22% of apprentices were under 24 and only 6% under the age of 18, and a Member asked how these figures could be improved. Ms Flegg said apprenticeships were accessed by existing employees for their professional development. The employment of young people into the organisation and the availability of appropriate apprenticeship standards for the work of the Council affected these figures.

d)    Asked about the difference in gender breakdown Ms Flegg said this was reflective of the gender breakdown of the organisation.

e)    Regarding the sharing of the apprenticeship levy, Ms Flegg said this was not being shared with commissioned services but was being shared with small and medium sized employers across Kent, for example a construction company or care home.

f)      Asked if there was an incentive to meet targets, Ms Flegg said figures were reported on an annual basis to government. The public sector target moving forward into the next financial year had been disbanded and a league table would be used.

g)    Asked about apprenticeships within the care sector and the need to encourage people into higher grade jobs, Ms Flegg said there was a range of apprenticeship levels being offered within KCC to provide career and development pathways.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Committee noted the current position and the numbers achieved during the last financial year and commented on future direction.