Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet endorses the focus on local recruitment, skills development and career support for all ages and notes that this programme of work aligns with the planned Lifetime of Learning Strategy as well as the Surrey Skills Plan.

2.    That Cabinet endorses the approach for SCC to further explore taking on new responsibilities related to schools-focused careers advice and guidance in line with recognition of the need to operate on a Surrey County geography, subject to the appropriate funding being in place.

3.    That Cabinet notes that the approach will be enhanced by ‘all-age’ interventions where appropriate to reflect the challenges around recruitment and the data on economic inactivity, subject to a transformation funding business case.

Reasons for Decisions:

Currently, employment, skills and careers activity is delivered through a number of organisations, in a complex skills landscape. The County Council taking greater ownership of this agenda through a stronger lead and co-ordinating role, and in some cases responsibility for direct delivery, will allow us to ensure that services, support, and activity has better alignment with our strategic priorities, whilst also delivering greater impact and improved outcomes for residents and businesses. This would enable more and better targeted support to be provided for those individuals who need it the most, as well as addressing the barriers to economic growth which are being encountered by Surrey’s employers, who are keen to be more involved in designing and delivering local solutions.

(The decisions on this item can be called- in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee or the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Select Committee)