Issue - decisions

To agree the recommendations  outlined in the Apprenticeships Scrutiny Review namely and work towards their  implementation:

1.      That the Council promotes apprenticeships internally amongst all Council services and departments as a reminder to managers of the benefits, and to encourage employees to convert to apprenticeships when appropriate for their development.

2.      That the Council promotes apprenticeships externally, through schools, Your Blackpool, the Job Centre and Youth Centres in order to raise awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships both within the Council and with other employers to people of all ages.

3.      That the Council influences training providers to do more to advertise existing vacant apprenticeship positions to young people by encouraging joined up working between providers, forging links to the National Apprenticeship Service and through schools, wherever possible.

4.      That the Council continues to influence businesses in Blackpool particularly those undertaking construction contracts commissioned by the Council to take on apprenticeships or shared apprenticeships.

5.      That the Council facilitates attendance at schools from current apprenticeships to promote the idea of apprenticeships to peers.

6.      The Panel supports the concept of Traineeships at the Council for 16 – 24 year olds who are almost ready for Apprenticeships and recommends that further work be undertaken to develop Traineeships at the Council.