Agenda item

(i)         Joint Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and the Corporate           Director of Children and Adults Services.

(ii)        Presentation by the Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning,      Children and Adults Services.

The Chairman introduced the Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning, Children and Adults Services, Linda Bailey who was in attendance to give an overview of the Adult Learning Strategy (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning explained that the Adult Learning and Skills Service was funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to deliver Adult Community Learning, Adult Skills (workplace and classroom learning), and receives European Social Funds (ESF) for an “Engaging Vulnerable Young People” project.  Members were made aware of the respective contract values with Adult Skills being £967,000; Adult Community Learning being £1,898,000 and the ESF project being £2.1 million, over 2½ years.  It was reiterated that there were no Local Authority funds used.

The Committee noted that national priorities as set out in the “New Challenges, New Chances 2011” included: Apprenticeship programmes; up-skilling or retraining at Level 2; help those at risk of social exclusion; young people aged 16-24 for which the learning would enable them to progress into further learning or a job; and unemployed people on benefits that are looking for work and require additional skills or training. 

It was explained that for County Durham, those national priorities were supported and Adult Learning and Skills would also contribute towards the outcomes as set out within the County Durham Plan (CDP).  Members noted that Adult Learning and Skills would also support the objectives within the County Durham Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and also respond accordingly to local need and opportunities that may arise.  It was explained that Adult Learning and Skills supported the “Altogether” themes: Altogether Wealthier, Altogether Healthier; and Altogether Better for Children and Young People.  Members noted this was through actions such as: raising aspirations and helping to create competitive and successful people; working to reduce the number of people who misuse drugs and alcohol; and help engage with the most vulnerable families in family learning.      

The Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning explained that current provision between 1 August 2012 and 31 July 2013 had engaged with over 1,400 learners in various areas such as Maths, English and employability skills.  It was also noted that over 200 learners accessed provision via the workplace and 60 apprentices in areas such Business Administration, Team Leading and Health and Social Care.

Members noted that Community Learning had engaged over 5,500 people and additional funding has presented an opportunity to continue to respond to local needs.  Councillors learned that 900 vulnerable young people had been supported since the start of delivery in April 2011, including those Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs). 

The Committee learned that moving forward, a new Adult Skills Strategy 2013 – 2016 was being developed to help ensure alignment with national and regional strategies, feeding into the LEP agenda via the Business Skills Group.  Members noted the drive to increase skills levels, support the local and regional economy and ensure there was capacity to support initiatives/opportunities for additional funding such as ESF.  Councillors were referred to a table setting out performance from August 2012 to July 2013 of various programmes (for copy see file of minutes). 

Councillors were informed of over 60 Community and Voluntary Organisations (CVS) that had been engaged over the summer and development of the Community Learning Strategy for County Durham would aim to: respond to and be owned by local communities; contribute to achieving outcomes in the CDP and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy; and to target the most disadvantaged and disengaged. 

The Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning concluded by referring Members to the prospectus available online and noting the variety of courses available across 41 locations spread across the County.

The Chairman thanked the Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning for her presentation and asked Members for their questions.

Members noted queries relating to performance data in the longer term; the nature of the outcomes, the level of attainment and retention on courses; links with the Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) and the funding climate for Adult Learning activities.

The Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning noted that data as regards destinations was available for Adults Skills learner, however not for those having accessed Adult Community Learning.  Members requested if they could have data showing progression following the attendance on a particular course and /or the attainment of a qualification. 

Members were reminded that outcomes were in line with National priorities including social inclusion and the balance of funding was such that the majority of courses were unaccredited, and were more basic skills or pathways to other courses.  It was added that Adult Community Learning did not allow for Level 1 or Level 2 accreditation, though the Adults Skills route technically allowed for Levels 2, 3 and 4, albeit with Levels 3 and 4 to be funded.  Members noted they were keen to have a breakdown of figures relating to the various levels of attainment achieved.  The Strategic Manager, Progression and Learning explained that each type of activity had different timescales for completion, for example non-accredited courses being anything from one day to a number of months; Level 2 taking around 12 months and Level 3 around 18 months. 

Councillors learned that the 3 AAP Coordinators attended the Adult Learning Events that had taken place during the summer and that the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) operated on a payment by results system and that in the current climate; there was a need to grow the provision of adult learning in order to help tackle issues such as NEETs.

Resolved:   

(i)         That the report be noted.

(ii)        That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive further information on the development of the Adult Learning Strategy at a future meeting.