Agenda item

Derbyn adborth gan yr Aelodau yngl?n â'r weledigaeth, y blaenoriaethau a'r deilliannau sydd wedi'u nodi yn y strategaeth ddrafft, a derbyn adborth gan yr Aelodau yngl?n â chynnwys y Cynllun Gweithredu drafft.

Members were afforded with the opportunity to undertake pre-scrutiny of the RCT Draft Employment Strategy and Action Plan 2019/21.

The Service Director Community Services informed Members that developing a strategy is important for several reasons. It will:-

·         Focus limited resources and support on those most in need so that they can improve their own and their families’ future;

·         Consolidate the link between learning/training provision and local and regional labour market needs;

·         Ensure that the Council services and partners are clear about the direction of travel and the outcome that we will be working to achieve;

·         Identify any gaps in provision so that they can be addressed;

·         Help us to jointly prepare for the introduction of new national initiatives and the ending of some current funding sources so that there is a smooth transition for the benefit of communities and individuals.

The Service Director reminded Members that the strategy has been developed by themes identified by the Welsh Government in their strategic documents and also informed by regional priorities, as identified by the Regional Skills Partnership and Cardiff City Deal developments. It was also emphasised that the strategic priorities contribute to the Council’s 3 themes of Prosperity, People and Place, as outlined in the Corporate Plan 2016-20.

To conclude, the Service Director advised Members that the strategy has been agreed by the Strategic Employment Group, subject to feedback from Scrutiny. The action plan will be regularly monitored by the Strategic Employment Group and reports on progress can be provided to Members as required.

Members were subsequently provided with the opportunity to scrutinise the strategy and to put forward their questions.

Discussions ensued and Councillor Cullwick referred the Committee to page 171 of the report and noted that the Strategic Employment Group does not include representatives from the private sector. The service Director advised Members that it has been difficult to get private sector representatives onto the group, however, the Service Director also emphasised that some partner organisations actively work with private sector employers and subsequently feedback their comments to the Group. The Service Director stressed that the Strategic Employment Group would welcome representatives from the private sector.

Councillor G. Thomas queried what resources are available to focus on upskilling. It was noted that residents will travel for work and will need high end skills to do that. The Service Director informed Members that the Council has limited resources in this area and that most of the funding is external. Grants from the Welsh Government focus on level 1 and 2 skills. However, the Service Director reminded Members about the Education, Employment and Training Service located within the Council’s HR department. The Service Director highlighted the Council’s successful Apprenticeship and Graduate Schemes as well as the implementation of Job Support Wales. The Service Director advised Members that developments in relation to skills and training at a national level will be introduced over the next two years and it is recognised that the Action Plan will need to be flexible to accommodate these changes. This includes the implementation of Job Support Wales, the creation of a national strategic body for adult community learning and the ending of ESF programmes as a result of Brexit. The aim is to get people from a level 2 skill to develop higher level skills. Councillor Thomas noted that the factors that influence employment also significantly impact on the wider economy. Councillor Thomas requested that this issue is addressed in the Finance & Performance forward work programme. 

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to endorse the RCT Draft Employment Strategy and Action Plan 2019-21, subject to the comments and minor amendments proposed by the Committee.