Issue - meetings

This report provides an update to the Executive Member on apprenticeship activity in York in the first quarter of 2021, including:

·      The work of the impartial Apprenticeship Hub

·      use of apprenticeships to support skills development within the City of York Council’s existing workforce

·      the council’s apprenticeship levy transfer process.

Resolved:

(i)            That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)         That a 6-monthly update be received at a future Decision Session - Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning.

Reason: To continue to encourage the creation of apprenticeship opportunities in York, by supporting local businesses to access available funding and to support routes to employment for local residents.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on apprenticeship activity in York in the first quarter of 2021.

During discussion of the item, officers:

·        Stated that the profile of the council’s impartial Apprenticeships Hub had been raised over the past few months due to engagement events across social media and virtual events.

·        Explained that educational disruption during the Covid-19 pandemic had caused more young people to opt to remain in education post-16, but it was important that they were aware and informed of all routes open to them, including apprenticeships.

·        Gave notice that York’s Apprenticeship Levy Transfer process was up and running.

·        Informed the Executive Member that there had been improvements in the internal usage of apprenticeship levy at the City of York Council, and that its usefulness as a means to fill vacancies and upskill existing staff was increasingly understood.

The Executive Member:

·        Stated that he appreciated the work around the Apprenticeship Levy and had written to the Department of Education to request more flexibility on its utilisation.

·        Thanked officers for their work in a time of difficult financial circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Resolved:

(i)           That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)         That a 6-monthly update be received at a future Decision Session - Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning.

Reason: To continue to encourage the creation of apprenticeship opportunities in York, by supporting local businesses to access available funding and to support routes to employment for local residents.