Agenda item

To consider a report of Head of Projects and Programmes, Employment and Skills which provides an update on activities delivered through the Employment and Skills service aimed at improving skills and increasing job outcomes in the City.

(Report attached)

The Head of Projects and Programmes, Employment and Skills submitted a report which provided an update on activities delivered through the Employment and Skills Service aimed at improving skills and increasing outcomes in the city.

Appended to the report was a copy of the contact details for the Employment and Skills Services (Appendix 1 referred).

Michelle Anderson, Service Locality Lead, Employment and Skills Service and Keri Evans, Service Locality Support, Employment and Skills Service  presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices which included:

·  An update on the employment and skills activities in Leeds being  delivered through the Council’s Employment and Skills Service

·  The City Wide position

·  The Area Committee position

·  Jobshops

·  Apprenticeships

Commenting on section 3.2 of the submitted report and the NEET statistics (Young people 16-18 not in employment, education or training) Councillor Robinson suggested the figures provided: Alwoodley (29), Harewood (14) and Wetherby (5) appeared to be too low and questioned the accuracy of the information.

Councillor Lamb said that as the Area Lead Member for Childrens Services he was aware that 368 people were categorised as “not known” in the Wetherby cluster alone.

In responding Ms Anderson said that only people claiming benefits would be recorded in the statistics. Also there was a significant shift in numbers over the summer period with young people transferring to higher education or moving out of the area.

Councillor Procter suggested that it was highly unlikely that only 31 people in the Wetherby area were claiming job seekers allowance.

Councillor Lamb, referring to the NEET (16-24) statistics asked if it was mostly males who were registered.

In responding officers said they were unaware of the gender breakdown but gave an undertaking to provide the requested information to Members.

It was the general opinion of Members that the figures for NEET quoted within the submitted report appeared to be inaccurate.

Commenting on the Apprenticeship scheme, Councillor Procter suggested that there appeared to be vacancies on the scheme and questioned the reasons behind this.

In responding Ms Anderson said there were a number of factors as to why there were vacancies on the scheme: the applicant may not be “job ready” also there was a lack of take up. Ms Anderson said that the latter issue was currently been addressed with the Council now actively promoting the scheme.

Councillor Buckley sought clarification about the term “job ready”

In responding officers said it was about “soft skills” i.e. timekeeping, how the applicant speaks in an interview, their appearance and how they dress. Some applicants required intensive support in this area.

In offering comment Councillor Procter said that small businesses provide the most employment throughout the city, but it would appear that these businesses are unaware of the City Council’s Employment and Skills Service, no one appears to be communicating with them.

Ms Anderson said information was accessible on line and brochures about the service were available. The suggestion about targeting small businesses was useful and would be explored further.

Commenting on the Jobshops and the nearest venue located to the North East (Outer) Area was the Reginald Centre on Chapeltown Road, Councillor Robinson suggested that applicants from the Wetherby area  would have difficulties  in accessing this venue.

In responding Ms Anderson said city wide coverage was difficult to achieve, moving a service closer to the Wetherby area would require a political decision.

The Chair thanked Ms Anderson and Ms Evans for their attendance and presentation commenting that it had stimulated some useful discussions

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That the NEET (16-24) statistics on gender breakdown be supplied to Members in due course