Issue - meetings

Michael Wheeler, Principal of Bromley Adult Education Centre gave an update on the progress of the Skills and Employment Sub Group and noted that the membership of the Sub Group had been widened to include representatives of the voluntary and community sector.

Funding remained an issue in the area of adult skills training, although adult apprenticeships were a potential growth area with additional funding identified in the Comprehensive Spending Review.  It was important to ensure training was tailored to the needs of employers and the Sub Group had been working with Jobcentre Plus to identify the needs of employers and of those seeking employment.  Prathiba Ramsingh confirmed that people who had experienced long term unemployment remained a priority for Jobcentre Plus and often faced multiple barriers into employment.

The Economic Partnership considered the Action Plan for Strategic Priority 3: Improving Employment Opportunities for Residents.  Sam Parrett noted that funding for adults to attain Level 3 qualifications had been reduced, which might impact the action plan.  The planned merger of Bromley College of Further and Higher Education and Orpington College would support more effective working.  Bromley College had also strengthened its links with University of Greenwich, which provided a cost effective way for local students to access degree level courses.  Current skills gaps that had been identified included engineering, manufacturing and aeronautical engineering, and the Colleges would seek to meet these skills needs.  The development of Bromley Town Centre would also provide more employment opportunities in the hospitality and catering industry and there was potential to establish a training restaurant in the borough.

RESOLVED that:

1)  the recent work of the Skills and Employment Sub Group and future proposed work be noted;

2)  Progress to date and planned activities under the Economic Framework’s Strategic Priority 3 be noted.