Agenda item

(To receive a report by Justin Brown (Commissioner for Economic Growth), which provides members with an update on the work that officers have done to address the 'skills gaps' and highlights what still needs to be tackled for individuals to benefit from the job opportunities that will be available in the future)

Consideration was given to a report by Clare Hughes (Principal Commissioning Officer (LEP)), which provided the Committee with an update on the work that officers had completed to address the future skills gaps and highlighted what work was still required.

It was highlighted that from 2014-2024, it was predicated that approximately 200,000 jobs would need to be filled locally.  Businesses had advised that 'skills gaps' were one of their barriers to growth, so ensuring that individuals had the right kind of skills and qualities for local jobs was an important objective. 

The Committee was advised of the future skills needs, as detailed on page 30 of the agenda pack, which included: increased demand for qualifications that were higher than those currently held by the local population; fewer jobs available for those with no qualifications; and an increased demand for machine operatives and skilled trade occupations.

The Committee was also advised of three strands of work, which were currently being undertaken to help address the problem: -

·       Work with business and use of research resources to understand where the skills gaps would be in future;

·       Provide information to young people and parents about future job opportunities and skills needs, including tackling negative perceptions that continued to persist regarding some of the county's largest sectors; and

·       Commissioning and influencing training provision to tackle gaps.

NOTE: At this stage in the proceedings, Councillor C J Davie left the room for the remainder of the meeting.

Members were provided with an opportunity to ask questions, where the following points were noted: -

·       It was highlighted that approximately £12million of funding was available for training of Lincolnshire adults and approximately £14million for Apprenticeships annually (2016/17 figures, prior to the introduction of the Apprenticeship levy).  Lincolnshire County Council received £1.6million of this and commissioned a range of training to meet local need;

·       The Committee emphasised its support for the Employment and Skills Board, as detailed on page 31 of the agenda pack, which would ensure a local focus and a joined up approach between education providers and employers.  It was noted that the Board provided a voice for local employers, who wanted to make sure that national skills and training budgets better reflected what was needed to fill job vacancies;

·         The Committee expressed a need for training and development to be sustainable;

·       The Committee also expressed its support for apprenticeship schemes; however, it was emphasised that employers must ensure apprenticeships were gaining valuable experience to enable them to progress in future; and

·       Boston College was highlighted as one of the top performing rural colleges in the country.  The Committee suggested that this was publicised through its press office.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the different factors that need to be tackled to address the 'skills gaps' challenge be noted.

(2)  That support be given to the current programme of activity that will assist over 5,000 people.

(3)  That support be given to the work being undertaken in continuing to tackle 'skills gaps', and to extend the existing central government and EU funded programmes that are commissioned, if there is an opportunity to do so.

(4)  That the Committee's comments be taken forward in considering what should be undertaken when EU funding ceases.