Agenda item

Topic Insights: a) Careers and b) Policy Statement Metrics

Minutes:

a)     Careers

 

The purpose of topic insight sessions is to provide detailed input to ESP on a particular topic of interest in order to promote discussion and to identify practical steps that can be taken forward, including the development of a policy statement in that area. 

 

The main focus of the topic insight session was our future ambition for careers support in the City Region, including careers education, information, advice and guidance. 

 

A presentation was given to the panel, which provided a definition of careers, highlighted the importance of careers support to individuals and the economy, examined the current careers offer in the City Region and reflected on challenges posed by current arrangements.  This provided the basis for a panel discussion around the future priorities for action in the City Region and the messages the LEP and Combined Authority should be highlighting to government with regard to careers.

 

The panel discussion highlighted a number of key points:

 

·         The need for a clear vision for careers support in the City Region.

·         The importance for all pupils of meaningful encounters with employers – it’s not just about prolonged work experience opportunities.

·         The need for a mechanism to challenge schools and hold them accountable with regard to their careers remit – we need to avoid careers becoming a “bolt-on” role for schools as for many of them academic results are the over-riding priority.

·         The potential value of creating CPD networks for teachers who specialise in providing careers support.

·         The need to consider the potential of digitally-enabled conversations in the context of careers information and advice, in order to increase the numbers of people both giving and receiving advice.

·         The importance of prioritising the flow of information on the labour market to young people and others who are making career decisions and the need to raise the visibility of occupational roles not just among young people but among adults.

·         The problem of gender stereotyping of roles and the value of showcasing women who work in atypical occupations.

·         The key potential role for HE in providing careers support and the need to encourage them to contribute more in this space.

·         The importance of making the connection between careers support and the emerging local industrial strategy.

·         These points will be considered in the drafting of a policy statement on careers support that will be submitted to the next ESP meeting for consideration, as one element of the refreshed Skills Plan.

 

 

 

b)     Policy Statement Metrics

 

The Panel was invited to comment on the Policy Statement and to feedback on its development.

 

The Panel was updated on the draft metrics which had been included in the Policy Statements for Apprenticeships and High Level Skills.

 

The following comments and suggestions were made by Panel in relation the draft metrics:

 

·         To include an indicator relating to the proportion of apprenticeships converting into employment.

·         To include an indicator to show entry into apprenticeships by SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) pupils.

·         To aim to increase the 14% apprenticeship levy take up.

·         Could agreements with Universities be considered in future.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)           That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.

 

(ii)          That the Panel’s comments and suggestions on the Key Metrics be considered and incorporated in to the previously endorsed Policy Statements.

Supporting documents: