Issue - meetings

– Report by Mr M Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities; and Amanda Honey, Managing Director Communities) (Wayne Gough, Interim SIP Manager and Lucy-Ann Bett, Project Manager SIP and Anna Davis, who is on the KCC Apprenticeship Programme were present for this item.

(1)       Mr Hill said the primary objective of the Apprenticeship Strategy was to increase the number of Apprenticeships that are undertaken by young people in Kent during what is a challenging time. Whilst the programme had made significant progress over the past 4 years more needed to be done and the Strategy and Action Plan identified ways in which that would be achieved. Ms Bett said the Council was working in partnership with a number of organisations both internal and external to KCC, promoting the benefits of Apprenticeships but also filling gaps in delivery such as helping employers, particularly small employers overcome the hurdles of recruiting Apprentices.  Anna Davies a KCC Apprentice spoke about how this scheme was helping her to gain valuable training leading to a recognised qualification and work place experience. 

(2)       Mr Sweetland said that through the newly let Highways Term Contract KCC had insisted the contractor took an active part in providing apprenticeship places. Mr Carter said the Council should be active in promoting the scheme in innovative ways such as using the Looked after Children Improvement Plan as a way of highlighting apprenticeship opportunities. It was also said links could be made through the Public Service Board and by linking with other sectors such as the NHS. 

(3)       Cabinet Resolved to agree the draft Apprenticeship Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2014.