Decision details

Report DRR14/015

The Committee received an update on the delivery of the Bromley Youth Employment Project by Bromley College of Further and Higher Education on behalf of the Council. Although the College had improved its performance in relation to apprenticeships it had conceded that it would not be able to recover its performance on internships within the life of the project.

Vaughan Leishon attended the meeting on behalf of the College, and the Committee received presentations from Arron Guard, an intern, and Tom Fitton, an apprentice. Arron described his internship with the Newshopper, including the opportunities to work in different parts of the business and the training opportunities. Tom was working as a business administration  apprentice for Bromley College supporting the delivery of the Employment Project. Both were grateful for the training, experience and opportunities presented by the Project and hopeful that their current roles would lead to sustainable full time jobs.

The youth employment market was changing rapidly, with youth unemployment declining in the borough and a range of new schemes available. Officers confirmed that, after taking legal and procurement advice, it was recommended that the Council give three months notice to terminate the contract and review how the remaining funding could be spent most effectively. Despite this, the College was confident that it would deliver all 66 apprenticeships (42 were already in place). The apprenticeships had to last at least a year and a day, and these would continue to be funded.

The report recommended establishing a task and finish group, overseen by a Member Working Group, to draw up an options appraisal for the remainder of the money allocated to the Project. The Committee urged that this work commence as quickly as possible and should include looking at barriers to employment amongst young people, receiving evidence on whether young people were genuinely helped by such schemes (or would have got these jobs anyway) and how the Council could assist Looked after Children find employment. The Chairman asked that a draft work plan be drawn up and circulated to Members. 

RESOLVED that the proposals to terminate the contract for the delivery of the Bromley Youth Employment Project with Bromley College by providing three months notice, to reallocate the earmarked reserve to support the objectives behind the Project and to approve a task and finish group overseen by a Member Working Group to undertake an options appraisal be supported.