Decision details

Lisa Moizer, Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub Coordinator presented a summary report (tabled at the meeting) on the Lancashire Employees Support in Skills to members.

Members were advised that this was a SFA/ESF funded programme to engage with employers and employees to up skill employees and support a skilled and inclusive labour market, to contribute to economic wellbeing and growth across the county.  This was reported to be a flexible project to meet the needs of employers.

The summary circulated outlined the priorities, key outcome measures and priority sectors.  The funding will relate to the company in the priority sector rather than the job or qualification.

It was reported that a steering group has been established and met for the first time earlier in the week with various partner agency representatives.

Members were advised that the retail sector was not included in the priority sectors but there was the ability to work with the non-priority sectors where required.

It was confirmed that the fully funded element to this project related to the basic skills qualifications offered up to Level 2.  The higher level skills as part of a higher level qualification would only be part funded.

Members were then provided with a presentation from Karen Cochrane, Regional Manager, North West, Learndirect on the Training, Education and Development (TrED) project in Lancashire.  The project was reported to be targeted to priority sectors across three distinct project strands:

·  Strand 1 - Skills support for redundancy

·  Strand 2 - Skills support for the workforce – intermediate/higher level skills

·  Strand 3 - Skills support for the workforce – basic skills

It was confirmed that Learndirect would be working with a number of supply chain partners to fill any gaps that Learndirect cannot provide.  As an example, it was highlighted that in relation to strand 2 the supply chain would provide around 50% of this area of work.  In addition the supply chain was reported to be flexible depending on requirements and there will be some Lancashire company's and some national.

The Board highlighted the need to use more local companies to ensure that once project has been completed a legacy is left to continue support.

Members were advised that a data agreement has been set up for sharing information to the relevant partners (in relation to the training needs analysis) and has been written into the contracts.

It was confirmed that a launch event would be held and a marketing budget is in place which would be aligned to launch.

Members were advised that reporting on the project will go to the Skills and Employment Board and will also be shared across LEP.

In response to a query around the impact and outcomes, it was confirmed that this would be tied in with the contracts.  Members advised that they would like to see ongoing reports on outcomes and that there was a need for more tangible evidence of economic and social impact. 

Resolved: The Board;

  i.  Noted the report and the presentation from Learndirect

  ii.  Confirmed support for this project by building awareness amongst Lancashire business networks