Agenda item

Michele Lawty-Jones updated the Committee on activity by the Skills Hub since the last meeting including the following:

·  Six Labour Market Information workshops, based on the sector skills studies, and emphasising future opportunities in the Lancashire labour market, apprenticeship reforms and showcasing HE facilities, had been held across the County. The workshops had been well attended with many of attendees rating them highly and expressing an interest in receiving further information. The National Careers Service would continue to work with the Hub to develop fact sheets and resource packs as well as planning further workshops.

·  The Enterprise Adviser Network pilot project to stimulate engagement between businesses, industry and schools in order to inspire young people and provide CEIAG continued to develop with additional schools engaging with the network of Enterprise Advisers in Burnley and Blackburn with Darwen. The Committee noted that it was important that Colleges are engaged in any future roll out of the project to ensure that it complements any existing CEIAG activity.

·  It was reported that a workshop had been held with the National Careers Service (with regard to the adult information, advice and guidance provision) with Lancashire providers to discuss alignment with the Skills and Employment Strategic Framework and localised key performance indicators. Proposals were agreed in relation to targeting priority groups and geography. In considering the proposals the committee recognised that more work needed to be done to unlock the potential of low skilled workers and it was agreed that Michele would discuss this with the NCS. It was noted that Universal Credit also focussed on supporting in work progression, providing work coaches to improve opportunities for those in work to develop their potential.

·  The Skills Funding Agency project for young people at risk of or not in education, employment or training was in the process of being contracted and discussions were underway with regard to the NEET Coordinator that would be deployed to the Skills Hub. It was reported that the NEET Coordinator would act as the Chair of a Steering Group which would coordinate both the SFA project and the Big Lottery funded 'Building Better Opportunities' project aimed at NEETs who are disadvantaged and further from the job market.

·  Tenders were also being evaluated in relation to the SFA opt-in 'Skills Support for the Workforce' (now named Employee Skills Support) and a date for an evaluation panel, where representatives from the Hub will observe, was awaited. 'Skills Support for the Unemployed' (now named 'Access to Employment' by the SFA) had been launched and closes in early July.

With regard to ESIF it was recognised that there was a limited timeframe for institutions to ensure they had sufficient resources in place to deliver the contract at a time when the delivery mechanism was experiencing a period of change and this was likely to impact on effective delivery.

Resolved:

1.  That the report is noted

2.  That Committee is kept informed of developments in relation to future Labour Market Information workshops.

3.  That the Enterprise Coordinator, Kay Vaughan, be invited to attend the next meeting and give a presentation on the work to date and future roll out of  the Enterprise Adviser Network and also the JCP Pathfinder into Schools.

4.  That a report is presented to the next meeting to update the Committee on progress in relation to the SFA project on NEETs and the Big Lottery funded 'Building Better Opportunities' project.