The LEP Area Apprenticeship Action Plan for Hertfordshire 2015-2017 Revised June 2016
Introduction The Apprenticeship Strategy for Hertfordshire 2015-17 identified some objectives that have been revised in April 2016. The revised objectives are: 1 Increase Apprenticeships Putting employers in the driving seat (Targets 1, 2, 3 and 5) 1.1 Improve the quality of the information to employers to raise awareness about the business benefits of apprenticeships, the apprenticeship reforms (including the levy and 2.3% public sector workforce target) and increase opportunities for new and existing staff. 1.2 Provide targeted support to employers in order to both reduce the number of apprenticeships/traineeship vacancies not filled (through positive recruitment) and manage expectations re the timeline it takes to recruit to apprenticeship vacancies. 1.3 Support SMEs to overcome barriers to participating in and gaining the benefits of apprenticeships. 2 Encourage young people and parents to view the apprenticeship route positively so that apprenticeship numbers increase in order to meet skills shortages and support economic growth (Targets 1, 2 and 3) 2.1 Promote pathways into apprenticeships using independent and impartial information, advice and guidance for young people (Years 8-13). 2.2 Focus awareness of apprenticeships on the 19+ group as well as the younger age group. 2.3 Influence the development of employability skills of young people and other apprentice applicants. 3 Share best practice and celebrate success (Targets 4 and 5) 3.1 Improve communication between providers and employers to enable the apprenticeship offer to be responsive to changing business needs 3.2 Showcase best practice and celebrate success to provide enhanced levels of employer confidence and engagement 3.3 Working in partnership with stakeholders to identify and meet the development needs of the provider base via a co-ordinated county wide approach
Apprenticeship Action Plan Theme 1 Increase Apprenticeships Putting employers in the driving seat 1.1 Improve the quality of the information to employers to raise awareness about the business benefits of apprenticeships, the apprenticeship reforms (including the levy and 2.3% public sector workforce target) and increase opportunities for new and existing staff. 1.2 Provide targeted support to employers in order to both reduce the number of apprenticeships/traineeship vacancies not filled (through positive recruitment) and manage expectations re: the timeline, it takes to recruit to apprenticeship vacancies. 1.3 Support SMEs to overcome barriers to participating in and gaining the benefits of apprenticeships. Action Theme(s) Activity Who When Progress 1 1.1 & 2.1 Co-ordinate activities of various Apprenticeship Ambassador Networks, Intermediaries and the Apprenticeship Sub Group. 2 1.1 Provide support for Intermediary staff i.e. Hertfordshire providers, Business support organisations, etc. to bring everybody the latest apprenticeship messages apprenticeship standards, levy, etc. e.g. -run information sharing events inc. Juliet Whitehead/Norman Jennings/Anna Morrison Anna Morrison (BHPN to lead) Norman Jennings and Juliet Whitehead now members of the Hertfordshire Apprenticeship Ambassador Network Group. Further talks being held re: bringing the groups closer. An intermediary s event was run on the 15th December with the support of Hertfordshire LEP, Skills Funding Agency and the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Provider Network. A further event is planned for the end of May 2016
(next event scheduled for 20 th May) -provide follow- up webinar to events on use of resources -develop a toolkit of useful presentation slides, PR content, policy updates, etc. - promote use of intermediary to provider referral template 3 1.1, 1.2 & 2.1 Maintain Hertfordshire apprenticeship marketing campaign aimed at employers: - promoting apprenticeship activities by partners - holding two apprenticeship events for employers - identifying key marketing and communication contacts in partner organisations (apprenticeship Ambassador Network, BHPN, Intermediaries, etc.) - identify existing/create new video and written employer case studies sourced from Sub Group members, Anna Morrison (Lead)/Juliet Whitehead/Pam Charman/Gill O Connell/Sharon Gaffney Marketing Task and Finish Group has met on the 22/7/15 and 11/9/15 and 2/12/15. A series of actions have been identified. Current progress against the action points: Caroline Cartwright now a member of the LEP Apprenticeship Sub-Group meeting to discuss Growth Hub; Research on Apprenticeship awareness undertaken with parents by Sharon Gaffney; Hertsdirect identified as the location of an Apprenticeship webpage for the county. Hashtags selected for county wide marketing purposes; Case Study template produced. Case studies of successful A level leavers identified and followed up. Quotapic template produced;
Apprenticeship Ambassador Network members, BHPN providers, etc. and include examples in the Intermediaries pack on the LEP website and in the LEP Newsletter - sharing best practice with regard to promoting to employers (including use of referral form where applicable) 4 1.2 Agree a standard package for use when engaging employers: - continue to promote use of the referral document and monitor its use. - link with the Careers and Enterprise Company in order to build stronger links with schools and hence improve Norman Jennings/Sharon Gaffney/Susan Platten/Gillian O Connell/Caroline Cartwright Apprenticeship questions and answers info. produced for marketing purposes. Draft guidelines for Social Media usage produced. A series of Apprenticeship Webinars aimed at employers currently being run. Note: Inspiring the Future (supported by Youth Connexions) have been funded to promote Apprenticeships in schools. Note: Amazing Apprenticeships website now live aimed at supporting schools. Note: Herts Chamber of Commerce ran a network lunch for 2 nd December entitled All I want for Xmas is an Apprentice and is also running four Careers Fairs around the county. Digital Schools Apprenticeship Focus Group set up to provide input into Apprenticeships related marketing and other development work. Referral template completed.
apprenticeship recruitment directly from schools - research and share information on systems and processes that can support the matching of vacancies and potential candidates - encourage referral of unsuccessful apprenticeship candidates to alternative employers using Apprenticeship Ambassador Network employers. 5 1.2 Provide support to levy paying employers to minimise the net cost of the levy Norman Jennings/Anna Morrison - run an information sharing event for levy paying employers - run webinars specifically for levy paying employers - develop support links between Apprenticeship Ambassador Network employers and other employers affected by the levy - produce levy related resources - support the development of quality
apprenticeship programmes in levy paying employers 6 1.3 Support SMEs to overcome barriers to participating. - continue to promote the ATA for Hertfordshire with a specific focus on SMEs. - implement a programme of Herts Apprenticeship Incentive payments to SMEs with 50-250 employees - increase the ability of the Growth Hub to support SMEs by increasing the number of Skills Advisors and improving coordination with providers. - provide information via the Growth Hub and other means on the move to new apprenticeship standards, the apprenticeship levy and other changes. Norman Jennings/David Rose/Caroline Cartwright Research carried out and SEAC identified as the preferred ATA provider for the county. Various meetings and presentations have taken place including at the BHPN meeting on the 25 th September in order to engage providers. A meeting was held on the 12 th November to agree and finalise an action plan for SEAC s Hertfordshire 2016 campaign focusing on SMEs. A presentation is also planned for the Intermediaries CPD event on the 15 th December.
Theme 2 Encourage young people and parents to view the apprenticeship route positively so that apprenticeship numbers increase in order to meet skills shortages and support economic growth 2.1 Promote pathways into apprenticeships using independent and impartial information, advice and guidance for young people (Years 8-13). 2.2 Focus awareness of apprenticeships on the 19+ group as well as the younger age group. 2.3 Influence the development of employability skills of young people. Action Theme(s) Activity Who When Progress 7 2.1/2.3 Promote apprenticeship opportunities to schools: - use a Digital Schools Apprenticeship Group made up of school staff for consultative purposes - send survey to schools to find out level of knowledge and needs with regard to apprenticeships e.g. an apprenticeship event for schools, sharing best practice, etc. - utilise the Careers and Enterprise Company in order to support a free event for schools at the University of Hertfordshire or an employer Juliet Whitehead/Matt Grinyer//Anna Morrison Working with Schools Task and Finish Group meetings held on 10/9/15 and 6/10/15 and 21/1/16. Progress against the actions: School staff awareness of Apprenticeships first webinar held on the 17 th September with others to be run throughout 2016. Meeting with the Herts for Learning Governors Team Manager held to discuss Apprenticeship awareness raising with Governors; BHPN had a stand at the Governor s conference on the 14 th November; Governors question checklist developed to allow governors to raise questions with School SMT; Teachers survey recirculated to identify level of awareness of Apprenticeships
- run further Teachmeets to encourage schools/employer link ups for particular sectors - encourage schools to utilise existing and new local and national apprenticeship resources such as the apprenticeship and traineeship Study packs, Careers and Enterprise Company support, accessing National Apprenticeship Week and other events, etc. - utilise Herts for Learning to promote apprenticeship messages to school governors and senior leaders - create a Hertfordshire Apprentice Ambassador training programme and directory - develop a Good Practice Guide for schools to help provide apprenticeship information for parents - encourage schools to improve the employability skills of the young person particularly for those who are unsuccessful amongst teachers; Meeting with Nick Binder (Chair of HASSH); Teachmeet events organised with employers who are willing to host events with schools promotional flyer created and launched at 14-19 Workshop on the 14 th October. Schools can now request support through the BHPN website; Head teacher at St Georges School, Harpenden has been in touch for case study. Amazing Apprenticeships website launched with resources for schools, young people and parents. Herts Chamber of Commerce ran four Your Futures events for schools/young people on the following dates: 17 th November St Albans School for Girls 29 th January 2016 Stevenage Arts and Leisure 2 nd February 2016 Building Research Establishment 2 nd March 2016 John Warner School
apprenticeship applicants - promote traineeships as a career pathway to apprenticeships - link up with University of Hertfordshire in order to better prepare young people to enter Degree Apprenticeship programmes 8 2.2 Monitor the take up of the Herts Apprenticeship Incentive for SMEs 9 2.2 Explore ways of increasing take up of apprenticeships in the 24+ age group by dispelling myths, etc. - develop closer working relationships with Jobcentre Plus local office apprenticeship champions - provide BHPN Guide for Jobcentre Plus staff Norman Jennings Susan Platten Included in initial specification for ESF Theme 10. Awaiting feedback and confirmation from Skills Funding Agency. A 50+ Focus Group to be set up in Letchworth (first meeting in February). There is also a general Focus Group which looks at employability skills. - increase understanding of National Careers Service information and support e.g. vacancies, etc. to inform work with 19+on Apprenticeships and
vacancies - share information about Universal Credits and the impact on Apprenticeships 10 2.4 Continue to share Growth Hub information with the Sub-Group i.e. apprenticeship referrals Caroline Cartwright Caroline Cartwright now a member of the LEP Apprenticeship Sub-Group and can provide regular updates to the Group on employment sectors where provision does not appear to be available within Hertfordshire. Requests now being directed to the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Provider Network when Apprenticeship providers need to be found for specialist/niche opportunities.
Theme 3 Share best practice and celebrate success 3.1 Improve communication between providers and employers to enable the apprenticeship offer to be responsive to changing business needs 3.2 Showcase best practice and celebrate success to provide enhanced levels of employer confidence and engagement 3.3 Work in partnership with stakeholders to identify and meet the development needs of the provider base via a co-ordinated county wide approach Action Theme(s) Activity Who When Progress 11 3.1, 1.1, 1.2 & 2.1 Improve the quality of provider engagement with employers by: - Identifying best practice amongst providers in communicating with employers - Collate and utilise local labour market information from business surveys, HEDOG and other sources to support provider alignment with business needs - Monitor feedback from FSB survey, Herts LEP Business survey and other sources. Anna Morrison/Sub- Group members AELP ran a workshop for intermediaries on the 15 th December. BHPN running webinars for employers. 12 3.2 Promote national and local awards to providers and stakeholders and engage more effectively. Anna Morrison National Apprenticeship Awards were proactively promoted through the BHPN meetings and Newsletter and also the local Apprenticeship Ambassador Network. Information also circulated via the LEP
Apprenticeship Sub Group. Some Hertfordshire finalists successful at the East of England Awards with one going forward to the National finals. Hertfordshire County Council highly commended as an Apprenticeship employer. 13 1.1, 1.2 & 3.3 Develop plan of activity for the implementation of a series of best practice and CPD sessions at every BHPN meeting e.g. effective communication with employers, ATA, packaging programme levels, etc. Anna Morrison Lesson Observation training carried out on 24 th November. Ofsted attended BHPN meeting on the 27 th November. 14 3.3 Monitor and encourage use of support currently available for quality improvement from AoC, AELP, ACER, HFL, Awarding organisations, B&HPN. 15 3.3 Bid for ESIF funding to support provider development and good practice. Anna Morrison/Becky Diamond/Chris Pearson Norman Jennings Work in progress. Included in initial specification for ESF Theme 10. Awaiting feedback and confirmation from Skills Funding Agency. In order to achieve the objectives outlined above the Action Plan will be reviewed annually in order to monitor progress and ensure modifications are made in light of changing government, economic and other factors.