Issue - meetings

The Board received a report which provided an update on the new Skills and Apprenticeship Hub and the Apprenticeship Ambassador Programme launched in January 2019.

It was reported that following a recent successful funding application, the Combined Authority was bringing together the expertise of the existing Apprenticeship Hub (managed by Halton Borough Council), the City Region’s Skills for Growth Service, and the work the Combined Authority led on around specific sectors and careers, all under the umbrella of a new ‘Skills and Apprenticeship Hub’. 

The Service would be in place from 1 November 2019 and have 5 main functions, these were outlined in the report with the management and delivery arrangements.

The following comments / queries were made following presentation of the report:

·       It was good to see older people (25+) doing apprenticeships as some were not ready to take an apprenticeship straight from school, so it was an option for them later on in life;

·       It was also encouraging to see that some people were continuing up to higher levels within their apprenticeships;

·       The importance of the College in ensuring that students were ‘job ready’ was discussed;

·       There were also a number of older people retraining to follow different career paths;

·       The workforce requirements of companies within the Borough were shared with the Council and the College, so that skills and qualifications shortages could be identified and could be focussed upon;

·       Members requested to know how many apprenticeships were completed and how many apprentices actually secured employment from them; and

·       Members requested a breakdown of apprenticeships for Halton and how many of those were school leavers.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the updates provided.