To consider how skills training providers are responding to Shropshire’s priorities for skills.

Contact: Corinne Brown, Business Development Manager, Shrewsbury Colleges Group

Corinne Brown, Business Development Manager of the Shrewsbury Colleges Group gave a presentation to Members [copy attached to signed minutes].  She explained that her role was as an advocate for employers in the college system and that the college’s offer strategy was based on the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership [LEP] and Shropshire Council key priority sectors.  She continued that the college concentrated its resources in areas that were not adequately covered by private sector training.  The college recognised the importance of delivering the training required by the employers in a manner they recognised and received support from manufacturers to do this through the provision of equipment and resources.  It recognised that it could not work in isolation and worked in collaboration with other providers to ensure provision across all sectors. 

The college dedicated a significant proportion of its resources to the sectors of Advanced Manufacturing (engineering) and Construction. With more limited provision for Environmental Technologies and Services, Food and Drink, Tourism, Health and Social Care and Creative and Digital Industries, as these were well covered by other providers.

Members noted that Construction offered 53% of courses and demand continued to grow from both large employers and sole traders.

In response to a Members question regarding rural transport, Ms Brown agreed that this was a problem for the county. The college provided a bus service but could not assist apprentices getting to their place of work.  Members noted that there was a hardship fund which could assist students in financial difficulties. 

Ms Brown agreed that the peaks and troughs of the construction industry caused problems with staff retention for the college, as during times of low demands the construction industry tended not to invest in employee training and college staff had to be released from their contracts but had to be recruited when the market experienced an upturn.

Members commented about the lack of the agriculture sector on the list, Ms Brown responded that this sector was served by specialist providers. In response to a Members query she agreed that this sector was still predominantly male as was the engineering and construction industries, and work was being undertaken with schools to promote these sectors to girls.

In response to a Member’s query about maintaining high levels of employment practice for all apprentices, Ms Brown responded that with both work experience placements and apprenticeships students were visited in the work place, interviews were conducted without the employer being present and checks were made to ensure that students were receiving the minimum wage and not being expected to work excessive hours.  A health and safety risk assessment was also conducted before every placement. 

The Director for Place commented that the West Midlands Combined Authority had recognised that advances in technology by 2040 would result in most jobs being very different with a new range of skills required for the developing technology.  He observed that there was a strong environmental technology sector based in the region.  He expressed concern that jobs in the Food and Drink, Tourism sector which accounted for 7% of the Shropshire economy was perceived as a poor career path.   Ms Brown responded that these were National issues and there were barriers to overcome to enable them to be addressed. 

Members noted that the proposed Local Housing Company being established by the Council required workers with strong skills and the Director of Place suggested that a dialogue should be entered into about the role of apprenticeships and possibility of the renovation of former Council buildings as part of the project. 

Members commented that the presentation was based on the Shrewsbury area and suggested that provision in the rest of the County should be considered. 

RESOLVED:  that the report be noted and that the Committee consider training provision across the whole county including provision for agriculture, food and health care.