Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Youth Services Manager which was presented to provide Members of the Scrutiny Committee with an opportunity to scrutinise a proposal to establish a Blaenau Gwent Post 16 Partnership Board to oversee the strategic development of academic and vocational provision for learners across the County Borough.

The Interim Corporate Director Education advised that there was a strong partnership arrangement between the Council and Coleg Gwent. The Learning Zone delivered an annual performance report to the Council which featured as a key component of the Education and Learning Scrutiny Committee’s Forward Work Programme. In addition to the Learning Zone, a number of post 16 Work Based Learning organisations provide alternative training opportunities across Blaenau Gwent and the Aspire Apprenticeship programme was delivered by the Authority.

The Interim Corporate Director added that Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone’s performance continued to improve and the transformation of post 16 provision across the County Borough had delivered more post 16 learners, a wider range of courses, particularly for vocational provision and improved attainment levels. The strong partnership continued to progress and a systematic approach was in place to share data at both a strategic and operational level. The partnership would be developed further through the establishment of a Post 16 Partnership Board with representation from the Education Directorate, Coleg Gwent, work based learning providers and Blaenau Gwent secondary school settings. There would also be representation from colleagues in Regeneration to encompass the broader skills and economic development agenda, contributing towards the Blaenau Gwent Employment and Skills Plan. The Interim Corporate Director Education added that it was hoped that the Partnership Board would be in place by the autumn term and welcomed comments on the draft Terms of Reference for the Blaenau Gwent Post 16 Partnership Board.

The Scrutiny Committee would monitor progress going forward as reports would form part of the Forward Work Programme.

A Member raised concerns in the relation to the number of post 16 training being undertaken out of the County. The Member felt that a high number of pupils was going to neighbouring Boroughs as the courses was not available in Ebbw Vale. It was important that Blaenau Gwent offered a wide range of options to give these young people aspirations.

The Interim Corporate Director Education advised that some young people have always chosen to go to other campuses, e.g. to undertake Horticultural Studies at the Usk Campus. There was a reduction in pupils attending a neighbouring 6th form, however this year the amount of A Levels awarded had actually increased and this was against the national trend increasing the previous year figures. The Interim Corporate Director added that a number of learners were now increasingly opting to study vocational courses.

Concerns were raised around the grant funded Aspire programme and it was felt that without guaranteed grants to maintain Aspire apprenticeships these opportunities could be lost to young people.

The Interim Corporate Director Education advised that both Inspire managed by the Youth Service and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9