Agenda item

The annual report for Learning and Skills Service is attached as Appendix C and reports the performance against the Education Inspection Framework; presents the work of the Careers Guidance Team and understand the role and impact of the Employability and Skills team within the wider service. The Learning and Skills Service leads a number of specialist areas and provides training for young people age 16-19, adults and apprentices across eight campuses in Northumberland as well as training in the workplace.

The annual report attached as Appendix C to the signed minutes provided information on the performance against the Education Inspection Framework; presented the work of the Careers Guidance Team and information to understand the role and impact of the Employability and Skills Team within the wider service. A Kingham, Service Director, Education and Skills, provided a detailed introduction to the report.  It was noted that the last sentence in paragraph 2.1.1 had not been completed and she advised that there was further work to do to ensure the service was able to meet all of the new post 16 priorities and the brand new skills reform, lifelong learning and learning guarantee and to be able to meet the economic priorities of Northumberland.  In terms of funding, there was now a need to deliver programmes to enable residents to get into employment, which was a significant change as previously this had been more community based.  She highlighted the effect of Covid and the support which had been put in place for learners during the pandemic with funding being accessed from the North of Tyne for devices to enable students to be able to continue to learn virtually.  Members were advised that the Careers Guidance Team were aware of where all those “not known” NEET 16 – 18 year olds were and she had every confidence that all the individual support that was being provided.

The Chair advised that it was pleasing to see the area performing well and had adapted well to provide these services in very difficult circumstances. It was particularly pleasing that all NEET were known.  He questioned what planning was being undertaken in order to ensure that the appropriate skills and training was provided for future roles within BritishVolt. Members were advised that discussions were already underway to understand the skills strategy and significant work had been done to future proof and map future hotspots and key industries such as the Northumberland Line etc with an economic pathfinder created to understand what would be required to be delivered in each area. 

Councillor Dickinson in recognising that the key was to ensure residents had the necessary skills for the future, questioned how this would be achieved when there was to be a cut of £0.5m being made to the budget for the forthcoming year some within the key areas highlighted in this report.  It was clarified that some savings were in relation to actual revenue operations with some new income streams being developed and being more focussed on where the need for provision was rather than the broader remit.  There would also be a reduction in senior management posts.  The Cabinet Member did not consider that there would be a negative impact on the service.

Members welcomed and congratulated the teams on their work and fantastic achievements.  The Service Director advised that at the start of lockdown all teams met weekly and identified the learners who they felt were at risk of disengaging.  A wrap around service was provided to keep them on track with 84% of students on programmes remaining active and making progress. 

RESOLVED that:

1.          The contents of the report be noted;

2.          The performance, given the significant challenges of the global pandemic against operating circumstances and the valuable support provided to all learners within the Learning and Skills Service, Careers Guidance Team and Employability and Skills Service be recognised; and

3.       To note the key areas for improvement and the focussed work programme as follows:

o  Skills strategy required which met Northumberland and North of Tyne priorities.

o  More young people (16-18) access the right programme and support to be able to achieve well with good opportunities for employment.

o  More adult learners enrol to improve their chance to gain employment through a curriculum offer which supported this approach.

o  A coherent approach working with businesses, building relationships which benefit industry, skills schools and our residents.