Ealing Apprenticeship Programme

Apprenticeship Evolution in Ealing16 May 2012

EALING COUNCIL

The Beginning

• Aim– Cross-party support for a Borough apprenticeship scheme

for 20 apprentices aged 16-24– No qualifications necessary

• Business Case– EIA highlights imbalance in workforce profile in terms of age– Commitment from all London Councils to collaboratively take

on 2000 apprentices

• Evaluation – Scrutiny panel– Independent consultation

Funding

• S106 Planning Agreements– Skills and employment clauses– Match-fund apprenticeship placements

• Core Funding– Staffing – Project costs

• Host Departments– Match fund training allowance

• Government Funding– Through training provider for qualification

2007 The First Year

• Mentoring support from Way to Work• Training allowance and agreement with HR• Pastoral support Connexions• Mentoring• Support HR issues• Assumption L2 to L3 qualification• Progression Programme• 22 apprentices recruited

Ealing Apprentices 2008

From the Second Year

• Independent of mentor and expand• Evaluation• In-house recruitment including screening and support• Support in placement• Buddy scheme• Group support apprentices and supervisors• Bespoke Supervisor, and Equalities courses• Identify training providers to work in partnership• Progression Programme

Ealing Apprentices 2009

Expansion Continues – Current Activities

• Annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony• Increase in skills areas, including surveying,

youth work, child care, ICT, caretaking• First L4 apprenticeship• Safeguarding training• Advice and guidance to other boroughs• Departmental strategies trying individual

models

Ealing Apprentices 2010

Current Activities – Ealing Pathways

• Unique pre-apprenticeship programme

• 16-24 targeted groups

• 10 people in group on 6 month programme (twice a year)

• 3 days work placement, 1 ½ days training, ½ day mentoring

• Progression support

Current Activities – Borough Strategy

• To promote and increase the numbers of apprenticeships in the borough– Information, Advice and Guide– Training provider partnerships– Development of borough apprenticeship website– Target employers

Ealing Apprentices 2011

Current Activities – Procurement and Supply Chain

• Council engages with large number of companies to provide services

• Concerns that not enough apprenticeships taken up by contractors

• Director Property and Regeneration Chair of London Councils Apprenticeship Subgroup

• Pan-London Councils agreement to have an apprenticeship procurement policy

• TYPE support development of West London policy

Current Activities – Ealing Apprenticeship Network

• Network for employers to have a supported apprenticeship community– The council has experience, ideas, co-ordination

and desire to support– Information and advice– Stay connected– Link with training providers– Buy into services– Celebration event

Outcomes to date

• Approx 115 apprentices recruited in first 5 years• 43 apprentices currently on programme• 67 completed so far• 66 achieved L2 qualification • 39 achieved L3 qualification• 16 people with disabilities (23%)• 50/50 distribution ethnicity, gender, age bands• Progression: 27 jobs with council, 15 jobs externally,

6 university, 6 babies! (80%)

Benefits

• High retention rates and a loyal workforce• Improves your style both as a manager or team

member• Bring fresh ideas to your service and keen to learn

new skills• Opportunity to understand ‘life stage’ and ‘life skills’

through a learning environment• Apprentice graduates recruiting apprentices• Win-win situation as young residents have positive

opportunities• Anecdotally ‘this has saved my life’!

Ealing Apprentices 2012

For further information contact

Vanita Nicholls

Ealing Council Apprenticeship Programme020 8825 6234apprenticeships@ealing.gov.uk