Issue - meetings

The Executive Member will consider a report about the development of York’s 10-Year Skills Strategy, delivered through the city’s Skills and Employment Board, and which presents that final draft strategy for endorsement by the Executive Member.

Resolved:

i.             That the contents of the report be noted.

ii.            That the final draft of York’s 10-Year Skills Strategy, recognising the strong partnership approach taken to understand, reflect and respond to local priorities be endorsed.

iii.          that the ongoing engagement with stakeholders to continue to shape delivery of the strategy be noted.

Reason: To continue to help support people and businesses through change and begin developing the skills infrastructure that will support inclusive and sustainable growth in York

The Executive Member considered a report about the development of York’s 10-Year Skills Strategy, delivered through the city’s Skills and Employment Board, and which presents the final draft strategy for endorsement by the Executive Member. The Skills Manager was in attendance to present the report and respond to questions.

Key points raised during the presentation of the report included:

·        The strategy was a partnership produced document by the Skills and Employment Board, which was established in late 2020 to aid in the economic recovery of the city following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Board is chaired by York College and has partners from further and higher education, employee and employer representatives, the Local Enterprise Partnership and City of York Council.

·        The Partnership had worked over the last 10-12 months with the support of a jointly-procured consultant to produce an initial, 1-year plan focused on short-term change which was endorsed by the Executive Member in March 2021, and the 10-Year Strategy focused on long term skills infrastructure in York.

·        A robust evidence base underpinned both plans, including external strategies, policies and research, as well as built-in employer and elected member consultations. Over 250 business contributed to the building of the strategy, as well as bespoke engagement through the University of York.

·        That there were 8 principles in the Strategy, 4 commitments, of which there were 3 priorities under each and 8 key priority sectors. Consultation was to continue with stakeholders to shape delivery plans over the coming years.

·        There was to be key metrics under the delivery plans, asking how accessible, sustainable and scalable individual initiatives are, which would be used to measure their effectiveness..

The Executive Member noted that:

·        As a member of the Skills Board, he was aware of the large levels of consultation that had gone into the Strategy.

·        He recognised that there was a focus on matching unemployment with vacancies, therefore the skills gap was a crucial aspect that needed addressing.

·        He emphasised the inclusive nature of the strategy, which would enable all communities in the city to benefit from economic success.

·        In the context of the national debate on green jobs, he noted that the strategy would enable York to secure its fair share of these jobs.

Resolved:

i.             That the contents of the report be noted.

ii.            That the final draft of York’s 10-Year Skills Strategy, recognising the strong partnership approach taken to understand, reflect and respond to local priorities be endorsed.

iii.          that the ongoing engagement with stakeholders to continue to shape delivery of the strategy be noted.

Reason: To continue to help support people and businesses through change and begin developing the skills infrastructure that will support inclusive and sustainable growth in York