Agenda item

The committee considered a report of the Director for Employment Skills Health and Communities on the progress made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee that were supported by the Skills Advisory Board on 25 September 2023.

The 2023 scrutiny review focused on the impact of the devolution of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) to the WMCA and produced four recommendations. The Head of Insight and Intelligence explained that the functional strategy for adult skills had been drafted for the single settlement agreed in the regulation deal and local authorities were creating place-based strategies for the investment. A well-received workshop on employment skills strategy and investment was highlighted and councillors were invited to visit local construction provision sites to see the initiatives in action.

Councillor Ian Kettle raised the need for earlier career advice in schools. The Head of Insight and Intelligence responded that the Combined Authority adds value through activities like work experience and career fairs, despite limited funding. Councillor Cathy Bayton praised the Job Rotation pilot in Coventry, which supports staff upskilling and the Director for Employment Skills, Health, and Communities stressed the importance of local employer engagement for the success of such programs. It was agreed that an update would be available by March 2025, with a preliminary report on the pilot including the participating employment sectors would be presented to the committee in November 2024.

The Chair highlighted the difference in higher education budget allocation, suggesting that part of the £134 million might be better used for early career advice in schools. The Head of Insight and Intelligence explained that the AEB was restricted to individuals aged 19 and over, with ongoing discussions about potentially extending the offering of the 16 - 18 year-olds budget.

The Head of Insight and Intelligence noted the fragmented nature of career support, including the National Career Service and youth hubs and the idea to integrate such resources. The Chair requested a detailed report on funding coordination, which the Head of Insight and Intelligence agreed to provide.

Councillors raised concerns about the complexity of career services, noting the involvement of multiple organisations as well as the offering of some school delivering work experience to year nine students. The Head of Insight and Intelligence agreed, emphasising the focus on strategic collaboration with entities like the National Career Service and DWP she also emphasised the importance of meaningful work experience and consistent opportunities across the region.

Councillor Jeszemma Howl enquired about the work experience and career advice pilot in Coventry, focusing on workforce gaps and gender disparities. The Head of Insight and Intelligence responded that the pilot's success relies on employer participation and engagement in sectors with gender disparities in careers such as Early Years and Social Care.

Councillors voiced concerns about fragmented funding for career services and emphasised the need for better integration to address long-term unemployment. The Head of Insight and Intelligence explained that the AEB supports inclusive communities, basic education, career progression, upskilling and reskilling. The Director for Employment Skills, Health, and Communities added that the WMCA was developing a place-based strategy to tailor investment to specific community needs, and utilised various funding sources to build trust with community partners. It was acknowledged that long-term unemployed individuals faced challenges such as financial insecurity and mental health issues and that comprehensive solutions were being developed through community partnerships to address these challenges.

Councillor Joanna Kane enquired about benefits for non-constituent members. The Head of Insight and Intelligence clarified that while the AEB was for WMCA area residents, the national government funds skills training was nationwide. In order to assist developing a joined-up approach, the WMCA would share successful strategies with other authorities and the Department of Education. She emphasised the importance of strong partnerships with employers and entities like the DWP for success beyond the WMCA area.

Resolved:

(1)  The progress made and next steps on the implementation of the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Skills Scrutiny Review be noted;

(2)  An initial report on the progress being made with the job rotation pilot in Coventry including the participating employment sectors to be submitted to Overview & Scrutiny Committee in November 2024, with a final evaluation report and the potential for its roll-out to be submitted March 2025.

(3)  A report on the region’s career offer to include information in relation to the organisations that operated this area, funding and how it linked with the all-age careers strategy to be submitted to a future meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.