Agenda item

To set out the delivery model for Higher Futures and the associated revised outputs. Once agreed with the SWLEP Board, these will be taken to the funder the Department for Education (DFE) for approval.

The Committee received a copy of a report to the SWLEP on the Higher Futures project, introduced by John Mortimer, Chairman of the SWLEP, and Paddy Bradley, Director of the SWLEP. The project had been set up with a government grant to address the higher level skills gap across Swindon and Wiltshire, to provide impartial advice and brokerage to employers, together with organisation development support and sector knowledge of skills requirements. The SWLEP paper followed a review of proposed outputs of the project and its operating model, proposing an extension of the service to broader and lower level skills as well.

The Committee were informed that the scheme had not been operating as originally envisaged, and that it had been out of sync with development of a growth hub and higher education strategy, with the proposals intended to integrate the new approach. The Board’s suggestion would then be sent to central government to amend the original agreement. Since the original agreement the depart of Education rather than Department for Business, Industry and Skills was responsible for the scheme.

The Committee was also told that there would still be a focus on the higher end of skills, for example with key performance indicators seeking to double the number of learners embarking on higher or degree apprenticeships by 2019/20.

The Committee discussed the SWLEP paper and proposal, with concerns raised that half the grant funding had already been spent setting up the scheme, and already the scheme was being refocused, with a need for clearer demonstration of effectiveness. There were also concerns that the new focus on broader and lower skills training was a significant departure from the scheme’s intended purpose.

In response to queries about the education providers steering those being engaged with to particular courses it was stated that the SWLEP was confident this was not the case. In response to reference to the Ministry of Defence and higher skills training for military leavers not being followed up, it was stated the Ministry had their own schemes in place, and that the government had been challenged over this, though some of the committee felt more could have been achieved rather than changing direction so significantly.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was,

Resolved:

To note the SWLEP Board decision as follows:

1)    That Higher Futures provides employers with access to a range of impartial skills advice, support and brokerage, the priority being higher level skills following the model set out at section 4 below.

2)    That Higher Futures is to become part of the Growth Hub so that it is integrated into the wider framework of support for business.

3)    That the Board seeks approval from Government for a new delivery model and revised outputs, namely 2000 learners embarking on level 4+ programmes through Higher Futures by 2020, including doubling the number of learners embarking on higher or degree apprenticeships across the LEP area between 2015/16 and 2019/20 academic years.

But to request that the SWLEP Board continue to challenge the government to deliver the programme as originally envisaged in relation to military leavers.