The Lancashire Skills and Employment Conversation #theskillsconversation

Welcome and Introduction Amanda Melton Chair of the Lancashire Skills and Employment Board

@LancsSkillsHub #theskillsconversation

Overview Why have a Lancashire Skills and Employment Strategic Framework? Methodology – how we developed the framework. Key issues. Sector perspectives. The draft framework. What do you think?

Why have a framework? Identify the key priorities and actions required to drive up skills and employment in Lancashire. Align our pipeline of skills with the needs of businesses – now and into the future & up-skill our current workforce. Inform and underpin local investment decisions e.g. ESF funding and Growth Deal Skills Capital. Influence the use of the mainstream funding and help define our future asks of Government. Channel energy of providers, partners and businesses at areas of priority.

Methodology Range of studies: –Comprehensive evidence for base for Lancashire – data and statistics. –6 Sector Studies – baseline data / perspectives of employers and providers. –City Deal – skills and employment plan – bringing in the 7 th sector (Construction). –Higher Level Skills – market opportunity re: higher and degree apprenticeships. –96 ideas and actions!!

Key issues An ageing workforce / reducing working age population. Slower employment recovery post-recession. Varying school attainment levels. 29% of residents qualified to Level 4+ compared to 32% nationally. Fragmented Careers Advice and Guidance / engagement with the world of work. Graduate attraction and retention. Employer engagement with workforce planning / learning and development. Poor performing work programme.

7 Priority Sectors Sectors with growth potential and high replacement demand Finance and Professional Services Visitor Economy Energy and Environmental Technologies Health and Social Care Construction Creative and Digital Advanced Manufacturing

Sector perspectives: common messages A need to promote industries with high replacement and growth demands to young people and promote vocational and academic routes. Tackle diversity – gender balance in STEM related industries. Graduate retention – opportunity to retain graduates in Lancashire. Improve work readiness, softer skills and enterprising skills. Up-to-date equipment and technology in our learning infrastructure. Leadership and management capacity and entrepreneurialism. Alignment of programmes aimed at the unemployed with sectors with high replacement demand.

Draft Framework Structured around 4 key themes: –Future Workforce –Skilled and Productive Workforce –Inclusive Workforce –An Informed Approach

Exercise 1 Review the objectives on page 13 of the framework and discuss the following questions: –Do the objectives cover what you think is important to drive up economic well-being and growth? –Are there any gaps (if yes, is there evidence to support your thinking)? Please ensure that you write down on the flipchart the key points as these will be used to amend the draft framework.

Future Workforce Inspire Young People. Promote key LEP sectors and areas of high replacement demand and growth – opportunities in Lancashire. Improve vocational pathways post-16 by engaging more businesses in curriculum development and apprenticeships. Engage undergraduates with Lancashire businesses. Promote employability and enterprising skills, attitudes and behaviours. Invest in fit-for-purpose learning facilities and make best use of technology.

Skilled and Productive Workforce Increase the number and levels of apprenticeships and align with areas of high replacement demand and growth. Facilitate engagement with the proposed apprenticeship levy. Attractive business offer to talented and ambitious people including graduates, linked to the ‘Lancashire Story’. Investment in strategic workforce planning and skills; alignment with ‘Boost’. Responsive supply of provision targeting skills shortage areas. Investment in our leadership and management capacity in the SME sector.

Inclusive Workforce Improve the employability and skills of unemployed adults and young people to enhance job prospects. Align interventions with areas of high replacement demand and growth. Facilitate routes into employment and economic well- being through sector specific initiatives and inward investment opportunities.

An Informed Approach Evidence-based approach by maintaining knowledge of skills and employment data and statistics, and relevant policy. Sector Skills Development Partnerships – sector insights (sign up today!). Sharing good practice and collaborations with other LEPs. Influencing and positioning nationally.

Exercise 2 Review the actions against your 2 designated themes and answer the following questions for EACH theme: –Do you agree with the identified actions (should any be removed?) Are there any missing actions that you would have expected (is there evidence to suggest that they should be included)? –What do you think should be our top priorities – can you identify 3 under each theme? –How can your organisation contribute to the achievement of the actions? Please ensure that you write down on the flipchart the key points as these will be used to amend the draft framework. Be ready to feed back your thoughts!

Plenary

Next Steps ‘Lancashire Skills and Employment Conversations’ October & November: –Test the framework. –Identify any gaps. –Identify priorities short / medium term. –Engage partners, stakeholders and employers in the journey. Finalise the framework. Take action!

Final Comments and Close Lancashire Skills Hub contacts: @LancsSkillsHub