1. SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE INTO WORK

2. What we are doing…. The Council’s vision is for Derbyshire to prosper, based on a strong economy, well connected communities and a skilled and confident workforce. The Council is making good progress in achieving it’s ambitions in these areas. In particular excellent progress is being made in supporting young people into education, employment and training, and youth unemployment has fallen for the fourth successive year. Derbyshire County Council

3. Youth Employment Strategy The Council has recently launches a youth employment strategy which aims to support young people to move successfully from education and training into employment and has five key priorities; To find out more about what skills are needed by Derbyshire’s employers To equip young people with the skills and qualifications they need to successfully enter the labour market To develop a better understanding of what employers want from the young people they employ To make sure that training providers are offering the training in the skills that employers need To improve outcomes for all young people, but particularly the most vulnerable young people. Derbyshire County Council

4. Care Leavers…. All children in care are currently allocated a personal assistant (PA) in the localities in which they are living. PA’s are given support to identify provision that might be suitable for their young people and act as a broker with training providers. Currently there are 5 care leavers employed by the Council as apprentices. Derbyshire County Council

5. Apprenticeships In December 2011 Derbyshire County Council committed to significantly increasing the number of apprenticeship opportunities with the Council. An Internal Apprenticeship Scheme was established in partnership with Learning Unlimited (Chesterfield College) as the Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA). The core principles of the Internal Apprenticeship Scheme include ensuring that apprenticeships support the achievement of Council priorities such as workforce planning requirements, economic regeneration, meeting corporate parenting responsibilities and providing employment opportunities for young adults and socially excluded groups. Derbyshire County Council

6. To date we have offered 251 placements since the first cohort was recruited in 2012 with 86 young people still completing their apprenticeships with the Council. A further 100 apprenticeship placements have been identified for 2015 with the majority of these being offered via a September intake. Derbyshire County Council

7. Apprenticeship Outcomes… 81% completion rate, 8% above the current national completion rate. 95% of apprentices were either very satisfied or satisfied by their placement within the council. 90% said that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the support from their manager. 86% indicated they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the balance of work experience and training within their apprenticeships 90% would recommend an apprenticeship with the council to others. Derbyshire County Council

8. Of those who have completed their apprenticeship within the Council 80 have achieved a job internally, 32 with another employer and 8 have utilised their newly achieved qualification as a route into higher or University learning pathways. Derbyshire County Council

9. What managers say…. 98% said they believe completion of an apprenticeship framework gives young people skills the council values. 100% believed that apprentices developed new skills which enabled them to become more effective in their work roles. 96% felt the scheme enhanced the council’s reputation as an employer of choice. 96% thought the apprenticeship programme gave young people the relevant skills and knowledge to make the step into employment with the council. Derbyshire County Council

10. Apprenticeships Over 500 apprentices were supported into apprenticeships with local businesses in partnership with Learning Unlimited through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) Scheme. Derbyshire County Council

11. Care leavers All children in the care of the local authority are currently allocated a personal assistant (PA) in the localities in which they are living. PA’s are given support to identify provision that might be suitable for their young people and act as a broker with training providers. Currently there are 5 care leavers employed by the Council as apprentices. Derbyshire County Council

12. Traineeships The Council’s Adult Education Services provides traineeship programmes covering core skills including four vocational programmes of learning in retail, customer service, catering or business administration. The traineeship provides a 12 week process of support from our Adult Community Education Service and local employers before transferring to a full apprenticeship or into work. Derbyshire County Council

13. Work Experience The Council holds the Gold Award for work experience, providing placements across all departments throughout the year to school, college and University students as well as for job seekers (both internal and external to the council). A statement of reference can be provided at the successful conclusion of the placement to improve employment prospects. In addition to work experience provided directly by the Council the Children and Younger Adults department provides a work experience database via Derbyshire Schools Intranet Service listing all local employers who provide work experience and who have been health and safety checked. Derbyshire County Council

14. Careers advice and Guidance As an employer the Council provides a service to teenagers called YouthInc, including a website giving advice on volunteering, options for students in year 9 and11, advice for after sixth form or college and finding a job. A record 11,000 young people attended the Derbyshire Skills Festival, an annual careers information and advice event for young people. The event is held over three days and organised by the Council with participation from over 80 organisations, Opportunities for volunteering via the ‘Volunteer Passport’ Careers advice and guidance in schools Representation at local jobs fairs and careers fairs to promote apprenticeship opportunities in the Council. Employability workshops within schools including apprenticeship workshops and mock interviews Derbyshire County Council