Issue - meetings

This report summarises the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Green Paper on ‘Raising Expectations: Staying in Education and Training Post 16’ which was published in April 2007. Although it is for information only, the report provides essential background information for members to advise on decisions about the future pattern of Post 16 provision in the city.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the Green Paper and the response of the Local Authority be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To inform future decisions about the provision of opportunites for 16-19 year olds in the city.

Members considered a report that summarised the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Green Paper on ‘Raising Expectations: Staying in Education and Training Post 16’ which was published in April 2007. Although it is for information only, the report provides essential background information for members to advise on decisions about the future pattern of Post 16 provision in the City.

The Green Paper proposes:

• All young people should participate in education and training until their 18^th birthday…
• at school, in a college, in Work Based Learning (WBL) or through accredited training provided by an employer…
• working towards accredited qualifications…
• attending full time (at least 16 hours per week) if not in employment…
• and part time (about  a day per week) if employed for a t least 20 hours per week.

Members discussed the importance of how this would link with the proposed development within York itself and felt that it was difficult to predict what jobs would be in York in 7 years time . They discussed the part that apprenticeships would play and felt that many of the industries that would normally provide this kind of training were in decline.

Members discussed the specialised diplomas that were being offered in York from September 2008; these were to be in Health Care & Society and Manufacturing. Officers reported that there was also approval for two other specialised diplomas to start in 2009. Members agreed that it was important that the courses offered should reflect the future jobs that would be available in York.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That the Green Paper and the response of the Local Authority be noted.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To inform future decisions about the provision of opportunities for 16-19 year olds in the city.