Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson welcomed Members and officers to the meeting:

Apologies

Mr Malcom Cross – Blaenau Gwent Council

Ms Sandra Perkes – Vale of GlamorganCouncil

Mr Nathan Yeowell – Torfaen Council

Ms Kellie Beirne - Director of the CCR City Deal.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct Note:

1. Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2. Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

None.

To receive for approval the minutes of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 10 February 2023.

To scrutinise and challenge the scale up of the Venture Graduate Scheme, that forms part of the Future Ready Skills Framework (FRSF),

The Head of Business Development & Growth began by giving Members an overview update on the Venture Graduate scheme including the background of the scheme and position statement to date.

The Skills and Talent Lead continued by providing Members with background to the report informing Members that the framework for the scheme was approved in 2020 with the launch and rebrand of the scheme taking place a year later.  The Skills and Talent Lead outlined that the aim of programme is to support SME’s in the Cardiff Capital Region to recruit talent and mitigate against risks of ‘brain drain’ from region. Members were informed that the initial target at the outset of the scheme was 500 graduates over a 5-year period.  To date, Members were told that 160 jobs had been created and recruited to with this rising to 170 by end of financial year.

Members were taken through some mitigating circumstances around the figure of jobs created being less than the target with emphasis placed on the impact of Covid-19, Brexit and the overall challenges of building a new Graduate programme for the region. The Skills and Talent Lead informed Members that despite the challenges, the programme has now been strengthened and in good position to perform for future but pointed out that the 500 jobs target would not be realistic to expect to be met.

The Skills and Talent Lead provided Members with in-depth detail of the progress of the Venture Scheme over the past 12 months which has involved realigning the Venture Graduate offer both internally and with further work being completed on the wider communications of the scheme across the region. Members were informed that the scheme is now has realigned strategic direction towards supporting CCR priority SMEs & clusters across the region in Fintech, MedTech, Cyber, Creative, Semiconductors & Net Zero businesses.

Members were also given further detail on the recruitment process adopted by the scheme following investment in the latest technology to fully automate the process providing a more agile and speedy recruitment solution to Graduates, moving away from a cohort model rigid with set dates to being able to offer year-round recruitment offering which has been well received. The Skills and Talent Lead highlighted to Members that this has led to a good stream of business referrals being received and following various events being held to promote the scheme offer there are steady business offers coming through. Members were informed that the scheme is becoming high profile throughout the region and graduate community through strengthening partnerships with Higher Education Institutes in the region.

Members were informed of a change in relation the development aspect of the scheme and detail was provided on the newly developed ‘Career Accelerator Programme’ (CAP) allowing graduates to choose one of two pathways available to suit their development. Members were informed of the details of the series of Masterclasses, delivered by University of South Wales focused on core Professional & Transferable Skills. Alternatively, the second pathway available being an intensive, Open University Microcredential  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None.