Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services.

The Skills Development Manager Aspire presented the report which sought endorsement of the Committee for submission of a proposal to Cardiff Capital Region to roll out the Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme, and to become the host Authority.

The report also sought endorsement for submission of a proposal to Welsh Government to merge the Aspire Blaenau Gwent and Aspire Merthyr Tydfil programmes from September 2021, aiming to retain funding for both LA’s to work with the education sectors, aiming to facilitate apprenticeships within the manufacturing sector.  Both proposals would work in parallel with each other under the same management structure, which would be cost effective for both funders.

The Officer went through the report and highlighted points contained therein.

In response to a question raised by a Member regarding section 6.2 of the report, the Officer confirmed that the expected outcome for over 300 apprentices would be across the Cardiff Capital Region, i.e. 10 Local Authorities.

A Member asked what opportunities were available for people when their apprenticeships came to an end.

The Officer explained that the Welsh Government programme was for 16+.  Aspire engaged with many businesses and LA’s across the region to identify skills gaps, and the statistics for Blaenau Gwent showed that most of our apprentices progressed into full-time employment.  Apprenticeships commenced at Level 3, with opportunity to progress to HNC Level 4 or Degree Level 5.  The main aim of the apprenticeship programme was meaningful employment at the end, and to successfully gain this via a learning pathway and training routes.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and endorsed the submission of two proposals, one to City Deal and the other to Welsh Government by the end of Summer 2020.  Approval to provide a strategic context and clear focus to support a partnership and collaborative approach to implementing specific actions and associated Employment and Skills delivery (Option 1).