Agenda item

This paper provides an update on the Skills & Employment report which the Panel received in May 2012. The paper sets out the progress that has been made against the key work areas outlined in the report, headlines specific outcomes achieved and provides an overview of planned activity in 2013/14.

The Acting Divisional Director for Regeneration, Skills and Employment introduced this item to the Panel. He wished to highlight some key points from within the report.

He stated that within B&NES there were over 8,800 benefit claimants, of which approximately 6,000 have been claiming for upwards of two years.  He said that the Worklessness Programme Team focus on two particular client groups.

·  Young Care Leavers at risk of not being in Education, Training or Employment

·  Long term (2 years+) out of work benefit claimants over 25 years old

He added that in recognition of the particular issues faced by individuals in the client groups the Worklessness Team had developed a flexible "Whole Journey Pathway Management" Programme to provide individual clients with flexible solutions tailored to their needs and requirements.

During the past financial year the team engaged 46 clients in individual work experiences and/or the commencement of accredited training which have led to 26 paid outcomes which have removed claimants from out of work benefits.

He informed the Panel that Smart Growth Analytics were commissioned to produce a comprehensive labour market analysis, including future labour market trends, needs and pressures.  This is being used as the basis for developing a B&NES Employment & Skills Plan that will be produced and delivered jointly with the B&NES Learning Partnership.

He explained that the Economy, Enterprise & Business Development (EEB) Team supports and provides funding for the B&NES Learning Partnership which brings together education providers and key labour market agencies operating in B&NES. The focus of this work is to make sure the needs of B&NES residents are met by education and job agency providers as well as being articulated through the Local Enterprise Partnership economic and skills initiatives.

The EEB Team have been successful in securing a range of targeted employment & training (TET) outcomes on the Crest Nicholson Bath Western Riverside development. To date 10 apprentices, 10 unemployed skilled trades and a total of 125 up skilling outcomes have been achieved.

The EEB Team are delivering a policy to Cabinet in June to ensure that the Council operates to a corporate standard and looks to deliver a coordinated approach to engaging apprentices, work experience placements, internships and volunteers.

Engaging schools in understanding the scope and shape of future employment opportunities is an important element in the skills agenda. The EEB Team has worked with partners to engage with school students. The B&NES "Have a Go" event organised by the B&NES Learning Partnership delivered over 4500 taster apprenticeship sessions to over 1000 B&NES school students in February 2013.

Councillor Sarah Bevan asked what percentage of apprentices were eventually able to take up employed positions within that company.

The Acting Divisional Director for Regeneration, Skills and Employment said he did not have that information to hand and would supply an answer to the Panel.

Councillor Anthony Clarke suggested that it would be good to see some benchmarking figures for this area of work.

The Acting Divisional Director for Regeneration, Skills and Employment said he did not have that information to hand and would supply an answer to the Panel.

The Chair thanked him for the report on behalf of the Panel.