Issue - meetings

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That an update report be submitted to the Committee in six months time

The Head of Culture and Leisure introduced a report to update the Committee on progress in relation to the creation of apprenticeships and training opportunities.  He provided background information  and referred to the main progress and achievements gained to date. 

The Head of Culture and Leisure introduced Heather Johnson, Corporate Training Officer, and invited her to give an overview of the Flintshire County Council Apprenticeship scheme.  She advised that the Authority had exceeded its target intake of apprenticeships for this year and had matched last year’s intake. The Authority was one of three finalists for a Welsh Government Award for Apprenticeships (Macro Apprentice Employer of the Year Award) and was the only public sector finalist for the award.  The Corporate Training Officer also referred to the work undertaken by Communities First concerning funding for future science, technology, engineering and mathematics events (STEM), and Deeside Enterprise Zone to engage businesses to work closely with schools around the STEM subjects.  She advised that Deeside Enterprise Zone was also exploring the potential to make apprenticeships more accessible to small and medium size employers.  Members were informed that a skills gap survey was undertaken in May 2013 and would inform future planning.

During discussion further information was sought concerning the Employers’ Promise initiative, Job Club programmes and how the Apprenticeships, Training and Development opportunities could be rolled out to more schools across Flintshire and the Leisure and Library services.  The Head of Culture and Leisure responded to the comments and queries raised and advised that an update report which would include the additional information sought would be submitted to a meeting of the Committee in six months time.  

Councillor Nancy Matthews commented on how the Apprenticeships, Training and Development opportunities would assist small businesses.  She referred to the difficulties experienced by small and medium sized employers in terms of the beaurarcy involved in administering apprenticeship and trainee schemes.  She said that many businesses were keen to participate but required support to assist them to provide such programmes.         

RESOLVED

 (a)      That the report be noted; and

(b)       That an update report be submitted to the Committee in six months time