Kathryn Partington, OD Consultant –
Apprenticeships, introduced the report and updated the Committee on
the Council’s Apprenticeship Programme, including a progress
report on the recruitment of apprentices and how it is being used
to target early careers and the use of the Council’s
Apprenticeship Levy.
The background to the report was explained
alongside further details on the different apprenticeship types and
apprenticeship numbers and take up from April 2023 – April
2024 as per Paragraphs 5 to 11 of the report. Officers then
explained the apprenticeship levy transfers under the new
apprenticeship rules updated in April 2024 and it was highlighted
that HR&OD officers were working closely with the BANES,
Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB)
Apprenticeship Group in the joint procurement of apprenticeships
through the Salisbury Managed Procurement Services (SMPS) and that
Wiltshire Council were the only Local Authority to have a regular
presence in the group.
Members were informed that the Council had 55
different apprenticeship standards being delivered by 42 different
training providers and that officers monitored the success rates
with providers throughout the apprenticeships to ensure quality and
value for money. Officers emphasised the hard work made in early
careers engagement as detailed in Paragraphs 24 to 29 of the
report.
Finally, Members were informed that officers
were looking to work with Gloucestershire & Wiltshire
Partnership to increase levy sharing, to support more Small to
Medium Enterprises that align with the Council’s priorities
with apprenticeship funding for their employees, and to work
closely with service areas to utilise apprenticeships for
‘hard to fill’ roles and allowing staff to progress
internally and build careers with Wiltshire Council.
During the discussion, points included:
- It was confirmed that all
apprenticeships were advertised on the Council’s career
sites, social media pages, and government websites, however it was
noted that in respect of the latter, there was a two-week time
frame in which the vacancy needed to be posted and closed, which
could lead to timing issues. Furthermore, officers were working
closely with the Communications Team and internal managers and
Heads of Service to develop a new SharePoint page to make it easier
for different directorates to see what opportunities were available
for apprentices.
- Members sought further clarification
on “sunsetting” funds available for the apprenticeship
programme to which officers further explained Paragraphs 21 to 23
of the report. It was further explained that there were few
employers who could fully utilise the levy due to the
organisational difficulties in supporting the apprenticeship
training alongside the day to day job. However, it was noted that
officers were anticipating potential changes to the levy which
could entail more flexibility rather than losing or transferring
the levy.
- It was clarified that some
apprenticeships were only offered internally, such as social
workers, due to the long wait time for Wiltshire Council staff to
be offered the qualification and due to the difficulty of the
role.
- In response to a question, it was
clarified that officers worked with the Targeted Education Team in
supporting Looked After Young People and care leavers in achieving
apprenticeships and that officers had held an event specifically to
make them aware of the different opportunities through the Council.
It was also noted that the Recruitment Team also worked with any
apprenticeship referrals to support them through different
activities such as mock interviews.
- The pay grades for different
apprenticeship levels were explained and it was confirmed that
those employees undertaking upskilling apprenticeships did not
sacrifice any proportion of their salaries by obtaining the
qualification.
- It was noted that there was a good
range of different apprenticeship standards being offered through
the Council, with a national focus on entry level apprenticeships
and a Wiltshire specific focus on early years apprenticeships and
how to increase uptake.
- Members queried how young people
living in more rural parts of Wiltshire would have equal
opportunity to access apprenticeships within more urban parts of
Wiltshire. Officers highlighted that they had attended almost every
career fair they had been invited to across Wiltshire and were
looking to focus on getting different services to attend events,
build interest, and make direct contact with young people. However,
it was noted that officers had not factored in the offering of a
transport service, but that prospective candidates were aware of
the potential travel implications to the appropriate hub.
- Officers were thanked for the
update, their hard work, and successes as detailed in the
report.
At the conclusion of the discussion, it
was:
Resolved:
The Committee noted
the contents of the report and the work undertaken to support the
Apprenticeship Programme and early careers.