Agenda item

(Item B6 – Ms Sue Dunn, Head of 14-24 Innovation Unit was present for this item)

(1)    The Committee received a report which provided them with an update on significant 14 19 developments across the county.  This included the continuing expansion of the 14-16 vocational programme, 14 19 diploma roll out, apprenticeships and Information, Advice & Guidance and Careers Education.

(2)    The issues raised by Members included the following:-

·              Ms Dunn confirmed that she was involved with the Economic and Regeneration Strategy and there was also involvement from the 14 24 Innovation Board. The Cabinet Members for Regeneration and Supporting Independence and Environment Highways and Waste were also involved.  Mr Badman was also Chairman of the Skills Board.  Therefore the 14-19 strategies were well connected to regeneration.

·              In response to a question about PSHE Ms Dunn stated that young people were given information, advice and guidance which included the curriculum offer in school. It was important that young people had information, advice and guidance and so that they could make informed life choices.

·              Regarding the National Skills strategy Ms Dunn stated that KCC proposed to use Building Schools for the Future and skills academies to establish programmes for developing skills and were looking for the best training providers to bring young people up to level 2 and 3.

·              In relation to a question on skills required to work in the nuclear industry Ms Dunn stated that she was interested in looking at energy in the broader sense and the skill sets required including specific construction issues that arose in relation to nuclear plants.

·              Ms Dunn responded to a question from a Member in relation to the apprenticeship target in 2010 and stated that attempts were being made to engage with District Councils.

·              In relation to the specialist skills required for careers education in schools and ensuring that teachers had these Mrs Dunn emphasised the importance of raising the profile of careers education in schools as this was a strand of work that could not be delivered exclusively by Connexions.  She stated that the challenge was to diversify the secondary school curriculum and to make sure young people had the right guidance at the right time.

·              In response to a question Mrs Dunn stated that she believed that the transport issue would be significantly resolved by the Freedom Pass and that schools should ensure that pupils were able to access provision off site.

·              In relation to the funding expectations raised in the White Paper Ms Dunn stated that this was unclear and it was important that KCC contributed to the consultation process on this.

·              In response to a question from Mr Hart, Mrs Dunn stated that the Building Schools for the Future programme would be specifically encouraged to use the maximum number of apprentices.

·              In relation to a question on the engineering part of the curriculum Mrs Dunn stated that engineering apprentices had been directly offered places with British Aerospace.

·              In relation to a question on what progress with young people who were NEETs (not in education employment or training) Ms Dunn stated that the 14-16 programme had more applied learning but a critical factor was enhanced advice and dedicated Connexions advisers with a robust programme to reduce NEETS.  Areas such as Thanet were being targeted for this.

·              In response to a question from Mr Vye relating the percentage and the profile of the cohort taking up vocational subjects Ms Dunn stated that the percentage of the cohort depended on the area.  For example in Gravesend 25% of young people at Key Stage 4 opted for the new curriculum.  In other areas the numbers were significantly lower.  She had commissioned an academic piece of work to find out factors relating to the take up of vocational courses by young people.

(3)    RESOLVED That the progress and priorities for 14-19 developments including expansion of the vocational programme and 14-19 diploma delivery by the 14-24 Innovation Unit be noted.