Issue - meetings

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress related to the key components of the Work and Skills Strategy as requested by the Board on 11 July 2018.

The Work and Skills Strategy (2016 – 2020) sought to improve population skills outcomes which supported Oldham’s strategic goals.  It was intended to inform and raise awareness across the Oldham Partnership of the complexity of, and multiple challenges which faced the employment and skills systems and to position the Oldham economy in the context of emerging strategies for employments and skills across Greater Manchester (GM).

The Work and Skills Strategy was organised around four strategic goals supported by a new outcomes framework for work and skills.  The goals were:

1.     Create Jobs: which included targets for Phase 2 of Get Oldham Working;

2.     Social regeneration and in-work progression, which include the new pilot Career Advancement Service;

3.     Deliver the OESC and Improve the Colleges which included a commitment to support the sustainability of the post-Area Based Review settlement for Oldham; and

4.     Support a Thriving Private Sector, which included better representation on the six priority employment sectors in the partnership framework.

The strategy had been written to complement the new regeneration framework for Oldham by focussing particularly on ‘social regeneration’ objectives and developing share ownership of these across all partners and providers.  It acted as one of the three major components of the Oldham Strategic Investment Framework (SIF) for economic regeneration and positioned Oldham in the context of GM Devolution of employment and skills.

The following was highlighted:

·       The successful attraction of £2.3m of European Social Fund monies (to present) for the delivery of Skills Support For Employment, RAISE and National Careers service programmes, which enabled a full programme of employment and skills support to be delivered by Get Oldham Working.

·       Agreement with GM Combined Authority to maintain the £2.83m commitment to Oldham Lifelong Learning service for the delivery of Adult Education Budget related activity.

Members were also advised of the funding risks.

Members were informed of improvements in performance, work with the LGA Selected Programme and work alongside colleges and other providers for sectoral pathways.  Some of the key factors were Health & Social Care; Construction; Business Growth & Professional Services; and Manufacturing.  Members were informed that the Get Oldham Working targets had been reached 9 months early with 3,642 people in employment.  The programme was supported by European funding which was secure for the foreseeable future. There were 32 staff on the programme and support received from the Learning and Development Network. 

Members were informed that the Career Advancement Service was unique as it worked with people already in employment and as a consequence, increased attainment levels had had a £2.4m impact on the local economy.  Members were informed of promotion of the programme through GMCA, success in reprofiling work and work towards economic inclusion. 

Members queried the increase in the no education qualification, what was being done about long-term unemployment and work in terms of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11