LGA Governance


Agenda item

Agenda item

Youth Employment and Skills Update

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Bushra Jamil, Adviser, to introduce the update.

 

Bushra introduced the report which provided an update on the development of a youth participation and employment and skills policy which related to young people. The paper had been well received at the Children and Young People Board.

 

Members made the following comments:

  • What work is being undertaken in relation to hard to reach children and young people who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET)?
  • In relation to NEETs, there are those that are already in the system and those that are entering it. We should have two separate approaches to try and tackle these different groups.
  • The situation with children and young people who are NEET is changing all the time and is such a broad spectrum. NEETs are a perfect example of when people fall out of the system because of a change of circumstances, and with the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a mismatch in the marketplace for work.
  • In relation to vulnerable children and young people, particularly care leavers, there is positive work being undertaken by many councils in supporting them back into work.
  • With regards to Principle 5, Annex B, which refers to employers being incentivised to support Industry Placements, the final paragraph relating to local government is very positive. One of the things that we should be doing and championing for ourselves is the positive work that we’re already doing and emphasising the fact that as Councils, we could be leading in this element of it.
  • In relation to point 8 of the report, which refers to the LGA Chairman’s correspondence with Ministers regarding support, maybe we should include the Minister of Social Care.
  • With regards to post-16 establishments, post-16 education was handed to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) but there needs to be a clear role for local authorities in this. There are issues around transport for post-16 education, could officers liaise with transport colleagues to progress on this matter?

 

Bushra responded to the comments made by members:

  • Following the Ministerial roundtable event last September, we have been in regular dialogue with the Department for Education (DfE) officials. A meeting is scheduled for next week to discuss the issues and challenges relating to young people and NEETs and how to better support them.
  • Transport related issues and wider support for young people and those who are NEETs are discussed regularly with the DfE officials.
  • With regards to T Levels, we are working closely with our workforce development team to ensure that Councils are aware of the suite of initiatives and providing opportunities for young people. This is particularly important, as part of the statutory responsibilities in terms of looked after children and more vulnerable groups.

 

Decision:

 

Members noted the report and agreed to provide comments/steer in relation to plans for progressing the policy.

 

Actions:

 

Officers to explore an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in relation to youth employment and skills.

 

Supporting documents: