Agenda item - Development of a new City Employment & Skills Plan (2015-2020)

Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services (copy attached)

Contact Officer: Nick Hibberd                                 Tel: 01273 293020

Ward Affected: All Wards

RESOLVED - That the Committee:

(1)  Agreed to the development of a new City Employment & Skills Plan (CESP) (2015-2020) for the city

(2)  Noted the intention to convene an Employer Skills Task Force to provide the business leadership that will support the development and delivery of the plan

23.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services regarding the development of a new City Employment & Skills Plan (2015-2020). The report was introduced by the Head of City Regeneration.

23.2    Councillor Phillips thanked officers for the report and welcomed the new ideas being suggested. Councillor Phillips noted that paragraph 3.2 referred to ‘rising employment’ and suggested that should read ‘rising unemployment’. The Head of City Regeneration agreed it was a typo and should read ‘unemployment’. Councillor Phillip asked whether the Economic Development & Culture Committee would consider this report, and was advised the Children Young People & Skills Committee was the primary policy committee for this area, but other committees including the Economic Development & Culture Committee would be advised.

23.3    Councillor Phillips noted that one proposal was to work in partnership with local providers such as the Apprenticeship Training Academy (ATC), and asked if that were necessary. Head of City Regeneration said that no decision had yet been made, but the ATC model had been successful elsewhere, particularly in supporting small employers to take on apprenticeships

23.4    Councillor Brown said that she supported the Employers Task Force and asked if they would work with schools. The Head of City Regeneration they would.

23.5    Councillor Wealls noted that the report didn’t make reference to those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and suggested it could be included.  The Head of City Regeneration agreed.

23.6    Councillor Barradell noted that a report, requesting approval for the final plan would come to the Committee in January 2016 and to Full Council in March 2016, and asked if the those dates could be brought forward in order that any financial implications could be considered in the budget discussions for next year. The Head of City Regeneration said that that would be difficult as the timetable was tight and there were a number of stakeholders who had to be consulted before the final plan could be prepared. He said the Local Authority were not the primary funders of the skills sector.

23.7    Councillor Marsh noted that apprenticeships would be available for all ages but suggested it would be better to prioritise young people. The Head of City Regeneration said that there was a need to target all groups that were furthest from the labour market, for example increasingly older people within the city were looking to re-enter the labour market who might benefit from having an apprenticeship.

23.8    Riziki Millanzi said it would be useful for the Employer Skills Task Force to liaise with employers to ascertain what skills they would be looking for. The Head of City Regeneration agreed and said better engagement between employers and schools would be useful.

23.9    Councillor Taylor thanked officers for the report and welcomed the Council’s assistance with the development of the City Employment & Skills Plan. Councillor Taylor noted that through the Plan, the Council would explore ways to use its position as a major employer to secure job placements for 18-24 year olds who had been unemployed for longer than 12 months. Councillor Taylor asked whether those placements would be paid jobs, and was advised by the Head of City Regeneration said that it was too early to say as the model had not yet been developed.

23.10  The Chair said that the name of the Chair of the Employer Skills Task Force would be confirmed shortly. It was important to engage with all stakeholders including local businesses and the city’s three MPs.

23.11  RESOLVED - That the Committee:

(1)  Agreed to the development of a new City Employment & Skills Plan (CESP) (2015-2020) for the city

(2)  Noted the intention to convene an Employer Skills Task Force to provide the business leadership that will support the development and delivery of the plan