Crisis Conference 2011 Crisis Conference 2011 Session 2: Removing the barriers to skills training

Crisis Conference 2011 Matthew Green, Head of Crisis Skylight Birmingham The Crisis Skylight Birmingham model of provision

Crisis Conference 2011 Crisis Skylight Birmingham An arts, education, employment & training service for single homeless adults Use outreach model as an innovative approach to delivery NOCN & OCR Approved provider Based in Birmingham City Centre – strategically placed near the majority of organisations providing homelessness services.

Crisis Conference 2011 Outreach A non threatening model of setting up new services in an area Allows breadth of delivery City wide rather than limiting to one specific area if building based. Encourages and relies on strong partnerships with other organisations

Crisis Conference 2011 Outreach - challenges Rely on others’ resources – can’t always guarantee quality venues or equipment Can be overstretched in terms of numbers of organisations wanting the service Limits the amount of sessions that can be run i.e. travel time etc Rely heavily on partners i.e. availability of venue etc Expectations, understanding and communication between partners

Crisis Conference 2011 Skylight Birmingham’s outcomes 413 members signed up 316 engaged in at least one learning activity 18 members have entered employment 42 members entered further education, training or volunteering 50+ members have achieved a qualification 75+ total qualifications achieved

Crisis Conference 2011 Lessons learned Outreach works if you are clear on what you are doing…May seem obvious but… Ensure the service is strategically relevant – access and be proactive on key strategic focus groups. Outreach is essentially invisible! Have clear expectations of what is needed to deliver a quality service – Joint Working Agreements with partner organisations Understand capacity and need against demands of organisations within the sector and beyond Focus on meeting need / filling gaps in existing provision in the sector

DELIVERING THE SKILLS STRATEGY

9 Skills contribute to a wide range of desirable outcomes Economic objectives Skills ProductivityEmployment Sustainable Growth Social objectives Personal Well-Being Stronger communities Greater social mobility Greater social inclusion

10 Or at the intermediate level. UK comparison with OECD countries at Level 2/3+ equivalent

11 Previous Policy Approach Skills are only one driver of productivity – why do we focus so much on skills? Why are we giving money to employers for training they would have delivered anyway? Employers would value investment in short courses and higher level skills more We are overly focussed on up- skilling but re-skilling is just as important Our targets are unaffordable and unrealistic – and drive the wrong behaviours System is overly bureaucratic, complex and difficult to access Too much provider capture and too many intermediaries deciding what the system should deliver Too many skills gaps and shortages Universities aren’t responsive to skills needs of business

12 The skills strategy sets out how we will reform the skills system to contribute to: Sustainable Growth The Big Society Social Mobility Social Inclusion The economic crisis created a requirement for reform … delivered through the coalition's principles of: Freedom Fairness Responsibility

13 Skills for Growth – the philosophy “The Government must return the economy to sustainable growth…..” “Apprenticeships are at the heart of the system we will build…” “the introduction of professional standards in particular occupations in appropriate sectors would support growth…” “..support employer-led innovation…” “…raise the profile of vocational skills … and inspire young people…” “..business start ups and entrepreneurialism will be a key driver of economic growth…”

14 Skills for Growth – the policies Expand and improve apprenticeship programme More More at Level 3 Better progression into and out of apprenticeships More recognition for apprenticeships Ensure vocational qualifications reflect the changing needs of employers Reduce the reliance of some sectors of our economy on migration Widespread teaching of entrepreneurial skills

15 Skills for a fair society – the philosophy “the Government understands its responsibility to ensure that everyone has the basic skills they need to access employment and participate in civil society….” “We will protect funding for informal adult and community learning.” “…support the transition from education to work…” “support specific training for those on active benefits…”

16 Skills for a fair society – the policies State funding for basic literacy and numeracy continues – and made more effective State funding for targeted training for people on active benefits Reinvigorate and reform informal adult and community learning Simplified learner support offer

17 A shared responsibility for skills – the philosophy “…the Government cannot tackle the skills challenge on its own…” “…employers and learners must take more responsibility…” “…but to facilitate that they must have good quality information and access to finance…”

18 A shared responsibility for skills – the policies FE Loans from 2013/14 Lifelong Learning Accounts All-age careers service Reformed UKCES driving strong employer-leadership of sectors High performing workplaces

19 A reformed system with greater freedom – the philosophy “control should be devolved from central government to citizens, employers and communities…” “..free providers from excessively bureaucratic control…” “..increase competition between training providers to encourage greater diversity of provision…”

20 A reformed system with greater freedom – the policies No more top down skills targets Streamline organisational landscape Remove regulations to free colleges to deliver for their local communities Act decisively to tackle unacceptable performance