Agenda item

The Sub-Committee will receive a presentation from officers on the apprenticeships available for 14-16 year olds and 16+ year olds.

The Sub-Committee received a presentation on apprenticeships available in Havering.  Officers explained that apprenticeships combined practical training in a job with study.  Apprenticeships can take from 1 to 4 years to completer, depending on their level.

It was noted that apprenticeships had equivalent education levels which had led to a shift in what qualifications were taken.  The levels were:

Officers stated that apprenticeships were available in all sectors and industries throughout England, and there were more than 170 different types of apprenticeships available offering over 1,500 job roles.   The jobs available were from a range of industry sectors from engineering to boat building, veterinary nursing to accountancy.

The Sub-Committee noted that traineeships were also available which could last up to six months.  Traineeships focussed on giving young people the skills and experience that employers were looking for with work preparation, English and Maths at its core for those who needed it, and a high quality work experience placement.  In addition the learner and the training provider could add flexible additional content to meet the needs of the business and the local labour market.

Officers informed the Sub-Committee that the Apprenticeship Levy would affect employers in all sectors.  The levy would only apply to organisations that paid an annual paybill in excess of £3 million.  The apprenticeship levy would be a levy on UK employers to fund new apprenticeships.  Legislation would be introduced in Finance Bill 2016 which would provide for a levy to be charged on employer’s paybills at a rate of 0.5%.  The levy would be payable through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and would be payable alongside income tax and National Insurance.  Each employer would receive an annual allowance of £15,000 to offset against their levy payment.

The levy would help to deliver new apprenticeships and would support quality training by putting employers at the centre of the system; the control of apprenticeship funding would be in the hands of employers through the Digital Apprenticeship Service. It was noted that employers who were committed to training would be able to get back more than they put in by training sufficient numbers of apprentices.

The Sub-Committee was provided with an overview of the provisions available within Havering.  It was noted that the Apprenticeship Provider Forum was working with its partners in promoting and supporting the development of Apprenticeship and Traineeship opportunities in Havering.  The promotion was taking place across schools and colleges within the borough and was developing an awareness campaign that informed and supported employers who were thinking of employing an Apprentice or engaging with Traineeships.  Work was also taking place with young people and adults developing them in preparation for these employment opportunities.

A list was tabled setting out the providers details for apprenticeships and traineeships within Havering.  These were across a number of sectors and industries.  Prospects worked with providers to ensure that advice was given on all aspects.

The Sub-Committee was given details of the process and campaigns that had taken place to promote apprenticeships and traineeships.  It was noted that to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2016, an event was hosted at Coopers’ Company and Coborn School giving parents/ carers and learners a chance to understand exactly what an Apprenticeship involved together with the qualifications.  Economic Development was working closely with officers to promote employment of Apprentices as part of contract procurement and s106 agreements together with working closely with local employers.

Members asked how the apprenticeship scheme worked with Children who had a Special Educational Need or Disabilities.  Officers stated that there were very successful opportunities for learners at Quarles to undertake training in Customer Service Qualification, this could be extended to an Apprenticeship/ Traineeship where the build up of English and Math was needed.

Information on the take up of Apprenticeships in Havering was discussed.  It was noted that Havering had a higher than national average of young people participating in Apprenticeships.  The next steps would include working with local employers to get 100 pledges to take on apprenticeships in 100 days.

The Sub-Committee thanked officers for an informative presentation.