SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT: THE YEAR AHEAD

The Perspective from Colleges

Ian AshmanPrincipal Hackney Community College

Chair, AoC London,

LONDON COLLEGES 52 Colleges in London (Approx 1 General FE per borough + 12

Sixth Form and 6 Specialist Colleges ) Catering for 430,000 students 74,000 16 and 17 year-olds (61,000 in schools) Over 10,000 apprentices study in a London college More than 50% of those going to Uni go through a college Over 5,000 HE students 90% positive satisfaction rate from students and employers Employing more than 30,000 people Turnover of more than £1billion

LOOKING BACK BEFORE FORWARD:RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

New freedoms and flexibilities Continued decline in adult student volume But continued fee remission for workless adults Continued growth in apprenticeships

–for 16-18’s and 19-25’s Colleges start very short courses for JCP clients + Short courses for Work Programme Providers Based on specific skills linked to vacancies

HACKNEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE:General and Employer Specific Models

Interview Skills

1-2 Days

Vocational Course

2 - 10 weeks

Induction

½ Day

INTERVIEW with Employer

Via WPP

Initial Assessment

By WP Provider

Work Skills

2 Days

Vocational Course

2 - 10 weeks

Work Skills

1 Day

UnemployedInduction

½ Day

Job Brokerage

via WP Provider

Employed inc

Apprenticeships

Employed inc

Apprenticeships with specific

employer

By WP

Provider

By College Voc Team

By College Employability

Team

Pre-Voc Basic Skills Options being tested

THE YEAR AHEAD: CHALLENGES

The overall economic climate is making it harder for younger people to find work

Employers need more people with higher skills Further decline in adult further education (maybe 5 further

years of 5%+ cut in funding) Challenge of a 16-18 focussed Ofsted regime Increased competition:

From JCP & WPP’s – pressure not to do long courses From Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot (EOS)

Introduction of 24+ advanced learning loans could reduce demand for higher level courses amongst some communities

THE YEAR AHEAD: OPPORTUNITIES

Capitalise on major infrastructure developments Conditions are right for Apprenticeship growth:

Continued growth in funding and wage subsidies New mayoral targets and broad coalition of support Increased interest amongst employers

Opportunities in EOS collaborations More effective relationships of colleges with JCP

and Work Programme Providers Leading to better referrals and ‘wrap-around’

services, which will increase job placements

LONDON AND THE YEAR AHEAD

The key to overcoming the challenges and making the most of the opportunities is “better integration of the employment and skills system”

The good news is: Renewed commitment to joint planning (the LEP helps) Renewed commitment to joint delivery amongst most of

the main groups involved in London’s employment & skills system