Agenda item

The Skills and Investment Group Manager summarised the main points from the Agenda report.

In 2015 the Skills and Investment Team, in partnership with the Worcestershire Training Providers Association, had created a new brand for apprenticeships, aimed at strengthening the message as there had been some confusion amongst the market, as well as to impartially advise young people, parents and employers and support providers.

The main challenges to apprenticeships had included the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017 which some employers embraced but others perceived as a tax, the introduction of new standards which smaller companies struggled to cover, and the impact of the Covid pandemic.

The number of young people Not in Education, Employment and Training (NEET) post Covid had increased slightly to 454 and was a priority to the Team. 

There had been a shift in the focus of apprenticeships around the county, with growth in Public Services and decline in retail and manufacturing - this was now improving, however providers’ ability to recruit tutors was an issue.

The Report detailed the work achieved during the year, and more could now be restarted after Covid.

The Council’s Learning and Development Manager was also present regarding Worcestershire County Council’s internal apprenticeship programme.

The Chairman invited discussion and the following main points were made:

·       Numbers of apprenticeship starters for each district area (based on the learner’s home postcode) were 460 in Redditch, 410 in Wyre Forest, 460 in Bromsgrove, 320 in Malvern, 540 in Worcester and 570 in Wychavon.

·       The Officers felt apprenticeship numbers were quite strong however in depth assessment would need more data, since numbers were affected by factors such as programme length, starters, leavers and completers.

·       The Cabinet Member with Responsibility (CMR) for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills pointed out that businesses may use apprenticeships for existing as well as new staff, although using the apprenticeship levy for the sole means of training management staff was not a sustainable approach.

·       In terms of the quality of apprenticeships, a certain threshold had to be reached and organisations had been reported in the past for not meeting this.

·       The Officers pointed out that for many higher-level apprenticeships, lower levels had to be worked through first.

·       Everyone agreed the importance of educating employers in how to go about developing and promoting apprenticeship opportunities, not just working with young people and schools.

·       It was acknowledged that Covid had changed the workforce, and the Chairman pointed out that that many companies would need to train people in new skills, therefore work such as skills fayres with schools were important and also helped to change outdated perceptions about jobs in sectors such as manufacturing.

·       Panel members agreed the importance of succession planning and a creative approach to encourage businesses to inspire young people so that they did not drift from job to job. The Panel Chairman highlighted that there was something for everyone to get involved in, for example he participated in mock interviews with school pupils.

·       Officers worked with school children from Year 7 across middle and high schools, pupil referral units, further education colleges and special education schools. All schools were required to cover apprenticeships and most in Worcestershire were at the ‘good’ end of the scale, although some needed help to ensure their focus aligned to the aspirations of the young people involved.

·       Efforts to encourage primary schools into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) was difficult and the Officers would be grateful for any help councillors could do to support this area.

·       The Panel expressed concern about the lack of apprenticeships in disciplines such as construction due to inability to recruit tutors and it was explained this was a problem nationally and due to the fact that earnings working in these trades were so much higher than in tutoring. The CMR advised that the Council had committed £1.2m to support providers which would help, for example give flexibility to pay more for a period of time.

·       In response to a suggestion from the Chairman, the Skills and Investment Group Manager would verify that colleagues had considered promoting tutoring roles to recently retired people from these sectors.

·       A Member praised the apprenticeship numbers and the support available.

·       In response to a question about work with young people who were claiming benefits, which could set a worrying precedent for life, the Officers referred to ‘Worcestershire Careers’ launched in 2020 which included a helpline to support young people during school closures (from Covid). The Team also delivered many events and clinics across the County and had staff to identify those most at risk in school. Outside of school was more difficult. It was hoped to add two more staff to this Team.