Issue - meetings

(Lead Member: Cllr S Hinchcliffe, Director: Alan Reiss)

Resolved:

(a)      That the findings of the final report of the Skills Commission be noted.

(b)      That the Combined Authority agrees the next steps of the Commission’s work for implementation.

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director, Policy, Strategy and Communications on Future-Ready Skills Commission.

The final report of the Future-Ready Skills Commission was launched online on 24 September 2020.  Members welcomed the report which set out the blueprint for a radical shift in powers and responsibilities for a future-ready skills systems.  They discussed the Skills Commission’s recommendations outlined in the submitted report and noted the executive summary which was attached at Appendix 1.

The next steps for implementation and the need for the investment strategy to be aligned with the Skills Commission’s recommendation of creating skills funding for every public infrastructure project were discussed.  The importance of inclusivity was recognised and the work of the school partnership team, Kickstart programme and SEN hub noted.  The skills gaps in the region were discussed and the aspiration for skills funding to be devolved to local level in order to ensure that training was provided to fill those gaps was emphasised.

Members were thanked for their feedback and a report on the next steps for infrastructure investment and skills would be prepared for a future meeting.

Resolved:

(a)      That the findings of the final report of the Skills Commission be noted.

(b)      That the Combined Authority agrees the next steps of the Commission’s work for implementation and a report be prepared for a future meeting.