Agenda item

(To receive a report from Samantha Harrison, Head of Economic Development, which invites the Committee to consider the work undertaken to date to develop the draft Lincolnshire Employment and Skills Strategy and Work Plan for 2021-23.  The views of the Committee will be reported to the Employment and Skills Commissioning Board, which includes Executive Councillors and the Chief Executive of the Council)

Consideration was given to a report from the Head of Economic Development on work undertaken to date to develop the draft Lincolnshire Employment and Skills Strategy and Work Plan for 2021-23. Lincolnshire skills and employment issues resulted from a significant number of vacancies, change in job role expectation, the rural geography of the county and the lack of larger employers. Government spent approximately £40 million a year on skills in Lincolnshire, while the Council had a budget of £250,000 allocated to skills. The Employment and Skills Strategy therefore sought to compliment the offer from Government, rather the provide an alternative. A number of issues had been considered, including digital learning facilities, transport links and job matching schemes. These options were ultimately dismissed as alternative provisions were in place. The Council, in partnership with the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, therefore sought better collaboration between colleges, vocational training providers, schools, and commissioners of funding to ensure shared intelligence, development of a Graduate Retention Plan aligned to further and higher education, an increased apprenticeship drive and an expanded Enterprise Advisor Network.

The Committee considered the report, and during the discussion the following comments were noted:- 

• Members asked if university graduates were typically leaving the county for employment opportunities elsewhere. It was advised that it was common in rural counties for students to move away to larger urban areas before typically returning in their early 30s. If the total graduating population could be increased, officers felt confident more graduates would remain in the area.
• Welcoming the consideration given to apprenticeship schemes, Members asked if there was any scope to contractually oblige the Council's partners to train apprentices. The Committee was advised this there were previous examples of apprenticeships being mandated through contracts, and that further work could be done.
• Noting the variation in career focuses for educational providers, Members asked how employment opportunities could be equally promoted across the county. The deficiency in careers promotion was appreciated by officers. Members were advised that those of them who occupied places on school boards were encouraged to stress this message and offered  supporting material.
• Observing the shortfall of Level 4 qualifications in Lincolnshire, Members sought clarity on the cause of this. A piece of work would soon be commission to investigate, over the next 2 years, the deficiency of Level 4 qualifications. Those currently undertaking level 3 or above would have to self-finance after turning 19. When taking into account the lower salaries typically paid in Lincolnshire, this was a significant contributor to the further education deficit. It was however stressed; the number of those with no qualifications at all had decreased significantly over the past decade.
• Members registered their support of T Level schemes which they felt engaged employers more than traditional Level 3 qualifications, in addition to providing more substantial work experience.
• Referencing the year 1 priority areas, Members asked if there was any provision for those over the age of 25. It was noted that apprenticeship schemes for those over 25 were possible and the first priority area included the facility to support those returning to work after a period of unemployment. Officers agreed in the necessity to support skills and opportunities for those of all ages.

RESOLVED

That the report be endorsed, and comments as recorded be taken into account.