Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Panel made in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3.

It was noted that Councillor L Harris has replaced Councillor Norris as a member of the Panel.

In the event that the Chair and Vice-Chair are not appointed at Annual Council, to elect a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED that Councillor Kaur be elected as Vice-Chair of the Panel.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Inquiry Meeting held on 25^th April, 2013 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th April 2013 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Communities, Change and Partnership providing details for the 2^nd meeting of the inquiry, attached

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Communities, Change and Partnership, reviewing employer experiences of apprenticeships; recruitment; training; and support.

Ian Smith, Employer Account Manager from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) outlined their experience with dealing with the employers:-

• Large employers (250+ staff) have access to a dedicated account manager – however these managers cover a wide area.
• Target those employers not currently engaged
• Small and medium size businesses have access to reactive telephone support based in Bristol for this area.
• Currently have a 1 year fixed posted dedicated to 16-18 year old recruitment.  As numbers, nationally, are down in this age range.
• Work closely with many of the training providers, local authorities and other agencies.
• Live vacancies report for Southampton was circulated
• National apprenticeship week
• Explained different levels of apprenticeships, from traineeships, for those youngsters that need extra support, to higher level apprentices.
• Work closely with Council to target employers in the City, however more could probably be done.

• Support for disadvantaged youngsters.
• Pre-apprenticeship scheme, based on a level 2, which it was hoped would allow the youngsters to move onto a full apprenticeship.
• Work closely in partnership with the Wheatsheaf Trust, plus the Rainbow Project.
• Placements where the hope was always for permanent employment to be offered.
• Ensuring that the message was getting out to the employers of all sizes.  Need to look at other avenues on how to reach the employers and the best time to hold events for them.
• Colleges need to be flexible with the course times that they offer to ensure they fit with the needs of the employer.
  
  

Anthony Dimmick, from Barratt Homes, outlined how they were working with the SCC Employment and Skills Plans:-

• Working with the Southampton City Council has been very successful and they were now trying as a company to role out the same system with other authorities.
• Role of community liaison.
• Look at the number of youngsters that start schemes and actually successfully finish them.
• Issues surrounding 16-18 year olds and insurance, especially on building sites.
• Transport issues for youngster as there placements move as the sites change.
• Helping youngsters maximise what they have.  Many do not fit the dictated criteria but were still able to engage.
• Example of Employment Skills Plan for Hinkler Parade

Anita Esser, from University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, outlined apprenticeship recruitment issues faced by them as a large employer.  A handout was circulated on the areas covered:-

• Training provider.
• They employ over 8000 staff in the areas that they offer apprenticeship schemes in.
• Cover many areas, not just Health.  e.g. administration; call centres; engineering.
• Work hard on partnerships with High Education providers.
• Provide support to move staff on but need to support further.
• Try to recruit to substantive posts where possible, rather than just bringing in apprentices in addition to the staffing levels.
• Areas within Trust that have an aging workforce, such as estates management, that need new qualified staff.
• Many of their apprentices were in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.