Decision details

Bromley Youth Employment Project: Update

Decision Maker: Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

Report DRR13/133

 

The Committee considered an update on the delivery of the Bromley Youth Employment project, being delivered by Bromley College of Further and Higher Education on behalf of the Council.

 

The Chairman expressed his disappointment at the poor progress made with the project.

 

Mr Craig Potter and Mr Vaughan Leyshon, both from Bromley College, attended the meeting to give a short presentation. Originally, the Bromley Project grant was to replace the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE grant), which was due to end in March 2013. However, the grant was extended (after the Bromley contract was granted) to 31st December 2014.

The economic situation was different when Bromley College bid for the project, with a high number of unemployed young people in the borough. There was now positive growth with employers starting to recruit again. As such, the number of unemployed had fallen and former learners were gaining employment. 

For the Bromley project it was necessary to realign the minimum number of working hours with those in standard apprenticeship contracts. Some of these are 30 hours (rather than 36 hours) per week and some internship contracts are 35 hours per week.

 

Employers are also able to pay apprentices at the national Apprenticeship minimum wage, which is lower than the National Minimum wage set within the contract specification for the Bromley project.

 

An improvement was anticipated and the project was now considered sound. At the end of October it was indicated there were six apprenticeship starts and three internship starts. During November, December and January the profile was lower so providing an opportunity for Bromley College to catch up. It was possible for the College to re-design the grant to meet the aspiration for apprenticeships - approaches could be made to employers as soon as the necessary changes had been made.

 

As the Bromley Project appeared to compete with the more successful national provision (the AGE grant), Councillor Will Harmer suggested the Council offer to supplement the national capacity.

 

The specification for the project, including the minimum number of working hours, was compiled with advice from the National Apprenticeship Service. The Council’s investment had been protected with payment only made on the delivery of results. Some £6k had been paid out and if all outcomes were evidenced, the Council would be liable for £30k. It was possible to make adjustments to the Contract or consider termination.

 

Councillor Owen questioned the value of the project. He felt it would be more worthwhile to invest in young people acquiring skills rather than invest £500k in the project.

 

Councillor Bennett asked for anonymous information on each internship, including whether or not the intern is a graduate and the company they are employed by.

 

The Chairman was concerned about the structure of the project. He felt it was necessary to better match what employers expect. He suggested giving Bromley College another opportunity and recommended the College work with the Assistant Director to re-shape the contract to make it more attractive to individuals and employers. He suggested the contract then be reviewed in three months.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the Resources Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

 

·  review the progress of Bromley College in delivering the project, with progress being reviewed again in three months to give adequate opportunity for the College to improve performance;

 

·  reconsider project delivery if progress remains unsatisfactory at the end of the three month period; and

 

(2)  the College provide information on each internship, including whether or not the intern is a graduate, and the company they are employed by.

 

Report author: Hannah Jackson

Publication date: 26/11/2013

Date of decision: 13/11/2013

Decided at meeting: 13/11/2013 - Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee

Accompanying Documents: