Agenda item

(To receive a report by Clare Hughes, Principal Commissioning Officer (LEP), which outlines to the Committee some of the benefits of what had been achieved through the employment and skills provision which had been commissioned by LCC and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, as well as identifying next steps)

Consideration was given to a report which explained that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) had commissioned a substantial amount of employment and skills provision.  It was noted of this was coming to a natural end and so it was useful to explore the benefits of what had been achieved and then identify next steps, whilst recognising the importance of employment and skills as part of economic development.

It was noted that a lot of the provision was funded centrally by government.  The aim of the GLLEP was to be able to fill some of the gaps or more persistent challenges.  The government was very keen to ensure that employers and individuals were aware of their responsibilities in terms of skills.

The County Council provided over £1.7m of funding to support adult education and skills.  It was noted that the adult education budget had helped 7,500 people in Lincolnshire to further their careers or get into employment.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was queried what provision was made for disabled applicants for apprenticeships or upskilling and members were advised that one of the European Social Fund (ESF) programmes was focused on unemployed people and getting them into work.  It was not believed that there was anything separate as it supported all people, particularly those that miss out through the mainstream routes.

·         It was commented that technology would be greatest disruption to social and economic planning, and there would be a need to be very focused on ensuring that Lincolnshire young people were equipped for the world they were going to be working in in the future.  Work patterns would change and businesses that would be making those shifts would need to prepare.

·         It was queried how the projects that had been commissioned assisted those that did not visit the job centre but were employed, for example working occasional bar shifts.  It was noted that there had been a focus on NEETS, and work had been done with the Care Partnership and the Prince's Trust and some very interesting statistics were coming out of that work showing that detailed personal assistance could help young people to fulfil their potential. 

·         It was noted that there was a programme called Careers Net which was aimed at unemployed young people who lacked in confidence as well as graduates who had the qualifications but not the skills experience necessary to apply for jobs.  Members were also informed of another programme running called Talent Match which was coming to an end, and was very different to any other programme as it would support a person for up to five years.  It was noted that a successor for this programme was currently being sought.  It was noted that the Talent Match programme had 'young ambassadors' and would go to those places where those young people may be found.

·         Members were advised that the City of Lincoln Council had carried out research into aspirations of young people who were predominantly paid cash in hand.  It was found that young people generally did not want to take the low paid jobs as they thought they would then be stuck and therefor work was needed to help them to realise that once they got a job they would be on a ladder, and they could be helped so they could progress to get a better job.

·         It was noted that the County Council was just a small part of the picture in relation to skills.  However, officers advised that they would contact the divisional manager of the Job Centre to find out what was being done to engage with those young people who were out of work, but who may not visit the Job Centre.

·         One member commented that they were very impressed with the work which was going on.  But thought it was essential that schools valued vocational training, as it was felt that in the past it had always been about getting people to university.  It was suggested whether schools could organise for employers to go into schools to talk with those young people about to leave about different employment opportunities available.  It was also commented that there was a need to teach young people interview techniques.

·         There was a need to encourage young people to think about options other than university, and make them feel important for choosing options other than university.  It was highlighted that one issue was usually that when someone finished university, they6 wold have a degree but no experience.  There was a need to encourage people to undertake work experience whilst at university, possibility during the holidays.

·         It was noted that other counties, such as Germany, placed a strong emphasis on apprenticeships, and people would go to university to study to become a member of a specific profession such as doctor or architect.

RESOLVED

1.    That the significant amount of employment and skills provision commissioned by LCC and the LEP be noted.

2.    That the comments made during discussion be noted.

3.    That the Committee support the provision of substantial support to the LEP by LCC in preparing the Local Industrial Strategy and implementing the Skills Advisory Panel so that local skills needs were fully understood, and better resourced by central government.