Employment and Skills Programme: Supplementary Paper · Employment and Skills Programme: Supplementary Paper ... Occupation of 16-24 year-olds in employment by sex, ... (SP44) Oxford

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Employment and

Skills Programme: Supplementary Paper

Neil Holman Skills and Employment Programme

Manager, Oxford City Council

(August 2014)

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1. Context of Oxford: further details 1.1 Background Section 2 of the main report about the Employment and Skills Programme gives an overview of Oxford, focusing on these particular issues. This supplementary paper provides more detailed evidence and figures that lie behind that section. Most of the information has been kindly provided by Mark Fransham, Social Research Officer at Oxford City Council. Additional information is available on the City Council’s website: www.oxford.gov.uk/oxfordstats. 1.2 Qualifications and skills levels Oxford’s labour force has the distinction of being among the most highly qualified in the country, with 43% of residents holding a degree-level qualification.

Highest level of qualification, Oxford and England 2011

People who hold no qualifications at all are most likely to be older people for whom leaving school without formal qualifications was more common. The 16 to 24 age group is dominated by university students holding A-level qualifications. The table below highlights the fact that older people hold fewer qualifications, which is a barrier to employment that didn’t used to exist to the same extent as today.

14%

23%

8%

13%

9%

15%

2%

4%

18%

12%

43%

27%

7%

6%

No quals GCSEs (any) 5 GCSEs A*-C Apprenticeship 2 A Levels Degree Other

England - highest qualification, 2011

Oxford - highest qualification, 2011

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/oxfordstats

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Highest level of qualification by age, Oxford residents 2011

1.3 Types of employment As mentioned in the main report, over the last two centuries there has been a decisive shift in the type of economic activity, shifting away from manufacturing. In Oxford this has been characterised by the rise and fall of motor manufacturing and the current dominance of the universities and the ‘knowledge economy’. Oxford residents in employment by industry, 1841-2011

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000

Age 16 to 24

Age 25 to 34

Age 35 to 49

Age 50 to 64

Age 65 and over

No quals Level 1 Level 2 Apprenticeship Level 3 Level 4 + Other

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

18

41

18

51

18

61

18

71

18

81

18

91

19

01

19

11

19

21

19

31

19

41

19

51

19

61

19

71

19

81

19

91

20

01

20

11Resid

en

ts w

ork

ing

in

each

in

du

str

y (

no

t to

tal

of

bo

th)

Manufacturing

Services

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Oxford residents in work by type of occupation, 1841-2001

Oxford’s highly qualified workforce is mainly employed in professional occupations – with over a third working in these types of jobs, far above the national average. There are also a slightly above average proportion of people working in elementary occupations.

Occupation of Oxford residents, 2011

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

18

41

18

51

18

61

18

71

18

81

18

91

19

01

19

11

19

21

19

31

19

41

19

51

19

61

19

71

19

81

19

91

20

01

Occ

up

atio

n a

s p

rop

ort

ion

of

wo

rkin

g p

op

ual

tio

n

Skilled

ProfessionalManagerial & technical

Partially skilled

Unskilled

11%

17%

13%

11%

11%

9%

8%

7%

11%

8%

34%

12%

8%

7%

8%

7%

5%

12%

1. Managers, directors and senior

officials

2. Professional occupations

3. Associate professional and

technical occupations

4. Administrative and secretarial

occupations

5. Skilled trades occupations

6. Caring, leisure and other

service occupations

7. Sales and customer service

occupations

8. Process plant and machine

operatives

9. Elementary occupations

Oxford

England

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In 2011 the vast majority of people working in professional occupations held a degree-level qualification. People holding no qualifications were most likely to be working in elementary (i.e. low skill) occupations.

Occupation of Oxford residents by level of qualification, 2011

1.4 Unemployment and young people The risk of unemployment in 2011 was much higher at younger ages. Over one-quarter of economically active young people aged 16 to 19 years were unemployed, compared to rates of around 5% or below for people aged over 30 years. This age-related pattern is similar for men and women.

Unemployment rate by age in Oxford, 2011 Census

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000

1. Managers, directors and senior officials

2. Professional occupations

3. Associate professional and technical

occupations

4. Administrative and secretarial occupations

5. Skilled trades occupations

6. Caring, leisure and other service occupations

7. Sales and customer service occupations

8. Process, plant and machine operatives

9. Elementary occupations

No quals Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Degree + Apprenticeship/other

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There is a similar picture when looking at absolute numbers of unemployed residents – nearly 1,000 were aged 16 to 19 years. Again, note that these numbers (totalling 5,100) are higher than those quoted above because the chart below includes unemployed full-time students. Oxfordshire County Council have the statutory responsibility to support young people who are NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training). They produce regular reports and a table (see below) which highlights the current levels in each ‘hub’ area across the county alongside the set target. Table from November 2013.

The following chart shows the occupation of the 10,000 16 to 24 year-old Oxford residents who were in employment in 2011. Over half of these young people were working in four categories of relatively low-skill occupations: elementary admin/service occupations, sales occupations, caring personal service and administrative work. This will contribute to the gap between skills and the job market requirements.

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Occupation of 16-24 year-olds in employment by sex, Oxford residents 2011

1,181

1,085

600

435

286

249

130

181

215

131

235

75

176

42

104

88

51

57

1,042

794

152

254

189

209

263

171

116

178

43

143

42

168

201

88

99

160

108

97

30

74

13

16

2

9

20

5

8

129

24

31

1,500 1,000 500 0 500 1,000 1,500

Elementary administration and service occupations

Sales occupations

Caring personal service occupations

Administrative occupations

Business and public service associate professionals

Teaching and educational professionals

Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

Business, media and public service professionals

Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations

Culture, media and sports occupations

Health professionals

Corporate managers and directors

Secretarial and related occupations

Textiles, printing and other skilled trades

Skilled construction and building trades

Customer service occupations

Other managers and proprietors

Skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades

Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

Process, plant and machine operatives

Elementary trades and related occupations

Health and social care associate professionals

Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives

Skilled agricultural and related trades

Protective service occupations

Female Male

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2. Oxford’s major developments/opportunities: further details 2.1 Background

As mentioned in section 3 of the main report, a number of major capital projects will be taking place within the City over the next

few years. These developments represent a considerable opportunity to develop training, skills, apprenticeships and employment

opportunities, particularly around the construction sector but also in other service areas.

2.2 Major development sites

The following table contains more detailed information about these developments, including type of development, floor space and /

or units to be provided, time frames and key partners. Importantly, where known it also highlights in which sector jobs are

expected to be created.

Table has been produced by Tom Morris, Principal Planner, Economic Development, Oxford City Council. (updated August 2014)

Top 20 Major Development Sites in Oxford

Site

Development Ward Allocation Key partners Amount (floor space) Sector of jobs created Forecast and timeframe

Northern Gateway

Employment-led development with housing

Wolvercote Core Strategy; City Deal; and Area Action Plan

City Deal St. John’s College Worcester College Merton College Kier Properties Ltd

83,600 m2 max (B1)

2,500- 4,000 m2 (A1)

200-500 residential units

Offices and research and development (B1) 6,690 jobs (B1)(2026)

Services Hotel and Retail (A1)

Construction

AAP in progress (submission Sept 2014)

Land at Barton

Housing-led development but with services

Barton and Sandhills

Core Strategy and Barton AAP

Oxford City Council Grosvenor Estates Barton Oxford LLP Partnership

850 residential units Retail (A1) Food store (2000 m

2)

Construction

Retail (A1)

Start 2014

Westgate Shopping Centre

Retail-led Redevelopment of

Carfax Core Strategy

Oxford City Council

Retail (72,500 m2)

Cafes, restaurants and Retail (2,800)

Service uses, catering and

Start 2015 Completion

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Site


Westgate Shopping centre

West End AAP

Crown Estates Land Securities

cinema hospitality, admin, cleaning (700)

Construction (450)

2017

Oxpens / West End Renaissance

Mixed-use development of West End area

Carfax City Deal and West End AAP

Oxford City Council British Rail Residuary Board; and Oxon County Council

Residential Offices(B1) 9550 m

2

Research and Development Hotel

Offices and R & D (640)

Start estimated 2016

Gateway Station Oxford

Redevelopment of Rail Station with mixed-uses

Jericho and Osney

City Deal and West End AAP

Network Rail Oxfordshire County Council Oxford City Council

Offices and research (B1) 12000 m

2

Offices (800) Start 2016

Magnet Science Oxford

Science and education development with incubator uses

Carfax City Deal and Sites and Housing Plan

Science Oxford; Oxford Innovation;

New Innovation centre 2,500 m

2

Construction (65)

Innovation centre (145)

Project on hold, not likely to proceed in the Short-term.

Radcliffe Observatory Quarter

University Education uses

North Sites and Housing Plan (SP47)

University of Oxford

Offices (2000 m2) Offices (50) Some

development completed on site others under-construction

Old Road Campus Headington

Research-led development

Churchill Sites and Housing Plan (SP39)

Oxford University Hospitals Trust

R and D (48000 m2) R and D (1200) Outline

planning permission

Oxford Bioescalator, Old Road Campus


Churchill City Deal and Sites and Housing Plan


R and D (5575 m2) R and D (140) Full Planning

permission expected

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Site


Headington

(SP8) Sept 2014

Big Data Institute Old Road Campus, Headington


Churchill City Deal and Sites and Housing Plan (SP8)


Three-storey building plus basement

R and D Full Planning permission expected May 2014

Radcliffe Hospital


Headington Sites and Housing Plan (SP23)


Science related (8000 m2) Science (140) No current

application submitted

Warneford Hospital


Churchill Sites and Housing Plan (SP59)


Science related (12000 m

2)

Science (3000) No current application submitted

Oxford Business Park

Office-led developments

Cowley and Lye Valley

Sites and Housing Plan (SP42)

Goodman Offices (41650 m2) Offices (3700) Plots

available for development

Oxford Science Park

Science-led developments

Littlemore Sites and Housing Plan (SP43)

Prudential and Magdalen College

R and D / Offices (32250 m

2)

R and D / Offices (810) 2 applications for Plots 25 & 26 (6,700 m

2) to be

submitted in Oct 2014. 3 plots remaining potentially for 5 buildings.

Oxford Science Minchery Farm

Science-led development

Littlemore Sites and Housing Plan (SP44)

Oxford City Council

R & D (9400 m2) R & D (240) No

application submitted to date

Rover Sports Ground (BMW)

Scope for BMW expansion in the future

Lye Valley Sites and Housing Plan (SP49)

BMW Group Industrial (B2) (39700 m2) Industrial (890) Available for

future expansion

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Site


plans

Wolvercote Paper Mill

Residential-led development

Wolvercote Sites and Housing Plan (SP63)

Oxford University Press

Residential Offices / Light Ind (4640 m

2)

Offices / Light Industrial (370) Planning application submitted 2014, but maybe withdrawn shortly and site to be sold on open market.

Land at Clarendon Laboratories, Science Area (Physics Bldg)

Current outstanding planning permission

Holywell Current Planning Permission

Oxford University R & D (5670 m2) R & D (145) Current

planning permission. Start date 2014

Dyson Perrins Laboratory, Science Area (Chemistry Bldg)

Current outstanding planning permission

Holywell Current Planning Permission

Oxford University R & D (12450 m2) R & D (310) Current

planning permission but no start date fixed.

Diamond Place, Summertown

Retail-led development

Sites and Housing Plan (SP14)

Oxford City Council Oxford University

Offices B1 (2400 m2)

Offices (160) Diamond

Place / Ewert Hse Development Brief SPD being prepared (May 2014)

Nuffield Orthopaedic centre

Research and development-led

Headington Sites and Housing Plan (SP38)


R & D (8400 m2) R & D (145) No current

planning application

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2.3 Westgate Development and associated Employment and Skills Plan As highlighted in the report, an important action to help deliver on the ambition of local jobs for local people is to make the most of the opportunities presented by these upcoming developments. This means working closely with the developers and key partners, as well as engaging those local people who may benefit from these opportunities, with the right support. The following gives further details of the history of the Westgate as one of the top 20 developments, which has already started, as an example of what can be done. In March 2014 Oxford City Council’s West Area Planning Committee resolved to grant planning consent for Westgate Oxford Alliance’s outline planning application to redevelop the Westgate Centre. The decision follows two years of consultation and engagement with Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, local people and community and interest groups. The development is now being taken forward by the Westgate Oxford Alliance, which is a partnership between Land Securities and The Crown Estate, working closely with Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council. The Alliance is now preparing detailed designs for the Westgate which will form part of a Reserved Matters Planning application due for submission later this year. The key elements of the proposed submission include:

Providing up to 72,500 sq m of new retail space which could create approximately 70 new stores, including a John Lewis department store by extending and refurbishing the existing Westgate Centre

New leisure uses, cafes and restaurants and potentially a cinema

New covered streets and public squares/spaces

Two 24 hour east-west pedestrian routes

One 18 hour north-south pedestrian route through the site

Closure of Norfolk Street and part of Old Greyfriars Street and the re-routing of the bus routes between Thames Street and

Abbey Place to unite the site and improve pedestrian access

Walkway along Castle Mill Stream

A new roof top terrace with views over the city

New public conveniences

New two storey basement car park of up to 1,100 spaces

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New cycle parking and shop mobility facility

Retention of Oxfordshire County Council’s Oxford City Library

Between 27 and 122 new homes.

It is estimated development will commence in March 2015, with the centre expected to be open in September 2017. Around 450 jobs will be supported during construction, with an additional 3,500 full time equivalent roles available once fully operational. Whilst obviously a retail-led development the new roles once operational will cover a range of differing disciplines including:

Retail

Catering & hospitality Centre management and administration Facilities management, cleaning and security.

To deliver an employment and skills plan for this major development, a Westgate Education and Skills Project (ESP) team has been formed. It is led by the County Council with support from the City Council, City of Oxford College and JobCentre Plus and Land Securities (the developer). Whilst partners are keen to support the Westgate ESP and to maximise the opportunity arising from the development there was a concern that this development, broadly scheduled in parallel with the development of three distribution centres (c.3,500 FTE’s in total) to the south of the City, potentially places significant pressure on the local employment and training infrastructure, and the Westgate ESP would need to be considered alongside emerging ESPs across the other three schemes. The group has agreed the following timescales for the ESPs:

Construction ESP – agreed by September 2014 (six months prior to starting on site) End Use ESP – agreed by September 2016 (12 months prior to opening).

Land Securities have suggested a willingness to engage across the following groupings:

Supply chain and procurement Schools, colleges and universities (engaging with education)

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Youth and apprenticeships Disadvantaged and communities Parents.

The table below sets out potential areas for consideration with suggested numbers of ESP outcomes across the sectors listed above. The template for this has been adapted from what appeared a model of good practice previously used in Reading.

Draft Westgate construction phase employment & skills plan

Action Activity Timescale Target/outputs Stretch Target Monitoring – Westgate ESP project team

Definition

Local labour,supply chain & procurement

Local employment and training clauses including use of local apprenticeships and traineeships built into procurement contracts Maximise local procurement through ensuring main and sub-contractors source locally where practical Hold a minimum of two of ‘meet the buyer’ events aimed at

By June 14 By June 14 By Nov 15

Relevant contract clauses included in main contract ITT. 30% of contracts awarded within local supply chain

80% of the 30% of contracts awarded to local SME’s with turnover less than £50m

Local/locally in this context relates to 30 mile radius of Oxford ‘Meet the buyer’ events bring those seeking to

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Definition

supporting local supply chain opportunities Supporting employment for young people Supporting local employment Supporting social enterprises in supply chain

Two ‘meet the buyer’ events held during 2015 Event costs at developers expense Ensure 25% of those working on site are between 16-24years old 15% of workforce have Oxfordshire postcode 2 local social

20% 4

procure goods and services together with local suppliers Young people aged between 16-24 when they start on site Oxfordshire postcodes – http://www.postcode-info.co.uk/oxfordshire-postcodes-441.html Social enterprise trade to tackle social problems, improve communities,

http://www.postcode-info.co.uk/oxfordshire-postcodes-441.html



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Definition

enterprises supported

people’s life chances, or the environment.

Engaging with education

Support Oxfordshire careers events and National Apprenticeship Week annually during the course of the development Support Oxford City Learning (OCL) to work with OCL schools to promote and introduce pupils and those that advise pupils of the

Annually as req’d to end of Sept 17 OCLP action plan developed by Dec 14

Developer and/or Westgate Alliance to attend and support 2 careers events and National Apprenticeship Week events per annum Two events per year at selected secondary schools to be determined with

Careers event; a not for profit event that supports education and employment outcomes for young people Oxford City Learning exists to provide better outcomes for all students educated in the City of Oxford.

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Definition

range of skills and careers available in the construction industry Support the broader 14-19 age group provider network to develop and deliver a series of creative construction related projects that support education Provide site tours to schools, colleges, universities and those organisations up skilling individuals Support University graduate research projects

Marketing and communications of opportunity via LEP newsletters/OCC schools comms Sept 17 Sept 17

OCL Two events per year across the broader provider network 4 site visits per year Agreed appropriate timeslots for potential visits to be marketed in advance 2 projects in total

4 5 4

Provider network means schools, colleges, UTCs, and training providers

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Definition

Increase number of STEM/CITB ambassadors Develop a series of creative interventions that advise parents of the range of skills and careers available in the construction industry

12 CITB/STEM ambassadors trained on project 8 parents evenings/events attended and supported per year

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Construction Ambassadors are industry professionals who can share positive experiences with young people considering a career in construction

Youth & apprenticeships

Support apprenticeships by i) embedding use of local apprentices in supply chain & procurement ii) ensuring the construction phase supports 10 apprenticeships during

June 14

Relevant contract clauses included in main contract ITT

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Definition

construction Support traineeships by; i) Providing a strategy that delivers traineeship places for young people, matched to their areas of interest and aspiration, where they engage in purposeful work related learning activities rather than observation. ii) embedding traineeships in supply chain & procurement

Traineeship strategy developed by Sept 14

A target of 120 traineeships (cohorts of 10) delivered during construction. Traineeship strategy developed in association with City of Oxford College, OCL, LPA and county council

A Traineeship is an education and training programme lasting from six weeks to a maximum of six months with the content including: − Work preparation training − English and maths support − A meaningful work experience placement which provides insight and experience of the world of work. http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/~/media/Documents/Traineeships/Traineeships%20Fact%20Sheet%20Employer%20FINAL%20061113.ashx

Disadvantaged & Support 10 sector based A sector-based work

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/~/media/Documents/Traineeships/Traineeships%20Fact%20Sheet%20Employer%20FINAL%20061113.ashx






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Definition

communities work academies for those aged 18 or above (8 participants at each) over the life of the development aimed at creating opportunities for those most marginalised from the workplace Support/provide at no cost a suitable on-site/off-site Westgate skills and training centre with facilities to support learning and development. Supporting local charities

Agree SBWA programme by Sept14 Location agreed by Dec 14

80 individuals supported through SBWA’s over the life of construction Link with JCP and Aspire to provide work tasters and work placement opportunities to Job Club clients. 3 local charities supported during construction 50 days per

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academy can last up to six weeks and has three key components:

i) Pre-employment training- relevant to the needs of your business and sector

ii) A work experience placement - of great benefit to both the individual and a business

iii) A guaranteed job interview https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/144199/sbwa-employer-guide.pdf Local charity means a charity with an Oxfordshire registered office address and whose beneficiaries are primarily

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/144199/sbwa-employer-guide.pdf





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Definition

Promoting local volunteering

year to support community and voluntary sector projects

Oxfordshire residents (see postcodes)

Partnership support

Developer to;

nominate a single point of contact for ESP development, activity and monitoring

ensure all reasonable monitoring requests are actioned in a timely manner

brief Oxfordshire Skills Board in Sept 14 on ESP and provide annual performance updates

By Sept 14

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3. Skills & Employment Group Within Oxford City Council a Skills and Employment Group has been established to ensure co-ordination of skills and employment initiatives across City Council Services and to ensure there are clear links and communication with other city and county-wide partnerships. The importance of building relationships with businesses including developers and contractors cannot be underestimated. There have been discussions with developers, business and training providers Oxford City Council should build on existing relationships with businesses and other partners to identify what is currently available and what they see as the gaps in provision.

Draft Terms of Reference Context Oxford City is planning a number of large developments which could provide a variety of employment opportunities for Oxford residents over the next few years. In order to maximise the Skills & Employment opportunities that will be created as a result of these developments, a collaborative cross-service approach that recognises the potential customer groups and their specific needs in order to benefit from these opportunities is essential. Purpose The Group’s primary objective is to create and develop communication channels across the Council services focussing specifically on Skills & Employment opportunities. The Skills and Employment Group is a cross service communication network set up to collate and share information about each developments employment opportunities. Learning gathered from the group will be used to influence future strategies and policies relating to each development. The Skills and Employment Group will not generate any direct additional administrative burden to Services but will influence the strategies and policies delivered by services through a greater overall understanding of the work being undertaken across the Council relating to skills and employment. Anticipated areas of influence include:

The creation and detail of Apprenticeship opportunities The creation of employment opportunities for residents impacted by the

welfare reform agenda

The creation of employment opportunities for the long term unemployed This is not a definitive list but highlights some of the key areas.

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Governance arrangements Recommendations and learning will be fed back to the Stronger Communities Board through existing channels. This board is where the strategic agenda will be considered. Skills and Employment Group membership Neil Holman, Employment & Skills Programme Manager (Chair) James Pickering, Welfare Reform Manager Tom Morris, Principal Planner Robert Hetherington, Economic Development Manager Val Johnson, Partnership Development Manager Paul Wilding, Revenues & Benefits Programme Manager Angela Cristofoli, Communities and Neighbourhoods Manager Anna Wright, Education Advisor Jarlath Brine, OD & Learning Advisor Other colleagues as required.

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4. Further information on Apprenticeships, Traineeships and IAG

More than two years ago a review of vocational qualifications by Professor Alison Wolf recommended a wholesale overhaul. And last year a review of apprenticeships for the government by entrepreneur Doug Richard recommended that they should last for at least a year and genuinely prepare trainees in a new role. (Richard D; Future of Apprenticeships in England, Department for Business, Innovation, Skills & Department Education, 2014)

What is a Traineeship? A Traineeship is an education and training programme with work experience that is focused on giving young people the skills and experience that employers are looking for. At its core are Work preparation training, English and Maths for those who need it and a high quality work experience placement. What is an Apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are a way for young people to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future. Hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. Quality is key to Apprenticeships – providing high quality training that benefits both apprentices and employers. Apprenticeships There has been a huge focus and investment in apprenticeships over the last couple of years which has provided opportunities for many young people. Those applying for apprenticeships require A-C in both English and Maths. Currently 48% of young people in Oxford are not achieving this. This gives Oxford the immediate problem of how it supports young people who aren’t currently achieving the required standards. Traineeships Traineeships have been seen by some as the answer to this and will be really positive for some young people. However, they’re unlikely to work for many of our disengaged and NEET (Not in Education, Employment, Training). One of the reasons traineeships will not be appropriate for these young people is the fact many are already too far away from the working environment due to their general disengagement on many different levels. Simply placing them straight into a work placement is a recipe for disaster not only for the young person but also the employer. Intensive support needs to be given over a sustained period to enable these disengaged young people to be ready for the job market. Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) The Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) area of work is a particularly challenging one, typified by the fact that as mentioned previously in excess of 480 training providers operate within Oxfordshire. The landscape of programmes being delivered within IAG is ever changing which also presents a challenge when trying to gain a solid understanding of this agenda.

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Many different organisations play a role in ensuring young people have a seamless pathway into Skills and/or Employment (Appendix 8). It is imperative that Oxford City Council work with other partners to ensure communication is effective, timely and above all appropriate. IAG is hugely important for people, especially children/young people and those at key transitional phases in life. There is a clear need in many parts of Oxford to enhance local people’s employability chances. Due partly to the number of providers but also the huge changes within local government, education and other associated organisations a number of key opportunities are missed. These include:

All young people receiving IAG at the appropriate age Ensuring young people are given up to date careers information

IAG delivered in the community to those who need it most.

Connexions was a UK governmental information, advice, guidance and support service for young people aged thirteen to nineteen (up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities), created in 2000 following the Learning and Skills Act.

There were Connexions Centres around the country - usually several in each county - which offered support and advice on topics including education, housing, health, relationships, drugs, and finance.

Connexions is no longer a coherent National Service following the announcement of changes to the delivery of careers in England by the Coalition government.

It is important that schools, parents and children receive clear information that is constructive, up to date and timely. A strategic programme is required to help develop careers education in Oxford City secondary schools. This would focus on careers, employability skills, building resilience and understanding the world of work. Further work needs to be undertaken to look at how best to deliver this. The Oxfordshire Skills Strategy talks about ‘Creating the ‘skills continuum’ to support young people through their learning journey. It is essential that Oxford City Council and partners address the issues to ensure a generation of Oxford young people is not lost. Young People who are vulnerable and disengaged need a vehicle for support. This could be other young people supporting them through particular issues and also specialist services to deal with mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, as well as other issues arising. Above all these young people need to feel valued and their confidence will grow with the right support resulting in improved life outcomes.

The focus needs to not only be on school age children but also young people who have left school. All young people in Oxford that leave school at 16 must be

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effectively supported. This includes IAG, job advice and general well-being support to increases chances of a prosperous future. Because of its ambition for local people and economy, and within the context of local partnerships, Oxford City Council is well-placed to help develop this agenda and ensuring links with the developments taking place over the next 10+ years which provide significant employment opportunities.