Agenda item

This report is being brought to update Members of the People, Performance and Development Committee on the current status and progress to date on meeting the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy and Public Sector Target duties for Surrey County Council.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Ken Akers, Head of HR&OD

Joy Hurman, Learning & Development Service Partner

Simon Griffin, Programme Manager, Schools and Learning

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.     The report was introduced by officers who informed the Committee that there had been a reduction in the level of underspend projected against SCC’s required contribution to the Apprenticeship Levy as outlined in Annex 3 to the report. Members were advised that the Council’s forecast spend on apprenticeship qualifications was estimated to be approximately £900k against a mandatory contribution of £1.2m which meant there was a shortfall of £300k.

2.     Members heard that schools across the country had been struggling to deliver apprenticeships against their required contribution to the Levy. This was mirrored in Surrey where it was predicted that schools would have a significant deficit in spending against the £840k that they had collectively been required to contribute to the Levy. Officers highlighted that there was a shortage of apprenticeship qualifications that were relevant to schools although it was anticipated that the introduction of new qualifications over time would grow interest in apprenticeship qualifications and reduce underspend against schools’ contribution to the Levy.

3.     The Committee articulated their concerns that money put into the Levy that was not spent by the Council would be retained by the Government and highlighted the importance of ensuring that this money was used on upskilling SCC and schools’ staff. Further clarity was sought on what steps were being taken to increase spending on apprenticeships made available through the Levy. Officers stated that a range of measures had been introduced in a bid to boost spending by schools on apprenticeships. The main obstacle, however, was a dearth of good qualifications although a number of new programmes would be introduced in September 2018 which would improve the range and quality of available courses. Members were informed that officers aimed to ensure that schools are in a position to take advantage of these new qualifications when they became available.

4.     Further clarity was sought on Annex 2 and the Committee asked how the allocations for the number of apprenticeships within each Directorate was calculated. Members were advised that the figures were allocated based on headcount although strategic directors were told not to pay too much about the figure as there were some Directorates that would be able to fill more apprenticeship positions than others. The Committee heard that Adult Social Care (ASC) spending in this area would be bolstered by the introduction of specific Social Work and Occupational Therapy apprenticeships.

5.     The Committee asked how SCC was promoting apprenticeships among young people. They heard that careers events and advice were an effective way of getting through to young people. Officers further highlighted the importance of getting Ofsted to recognise that the number of apprenticeship placements taken up by former students was as much a mark of success as the number of university places schools received among former pupils. Members requested that the next update received by PPDC on the Apprenticeship Levy include additional details on valuable apprenticeships as well as steps being taken by SCC to attract young people to taking on an apprenticeship.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

1.     The next update to PPDC on the Apprenticeship Levy should include further detail on valuable apprenticeships as well as outlining steps being taken by SCC to attract young people to take on an apprenticeship (Action Ref: A1/18).

RESOLVED: That;

the People, Performance and Development Committee note the positive progress detailed within the report and comment on the conclusions.