SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT: THE YEAR AHEAD The Perspective from Colleges Ian Ashman Principal 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, 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 weeks Induction ½ Day INTERVIEW with Employer Via WPP Initial Assessment By WP Provider Work Skills 2 Days Vocational Course weeks Work Skills 1 Day Unemployed Induction 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 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