2. Agenda Walsall Works Current outputs 2014/15 Apprenticeship Pledgeometer Progressions Events The Real Apprenticeships Event The Big Bang Fair European Social Fund Update BC Gold Any Other Business

3. Walsall Works 356 young people have started their Apprenticeship through Walsall Works 263 young people have now started the Pre- Apprenticeship programme 524 young people have been supported into other outcomes

4. Walsall Works 2014/15 Approval from Management group to progress with the following output profiles for the financial year 2014/15; 115 Apprenticeships supported with Walsall works grant 100 Pre-apprentices recruited into pre-apprenticeship or traineeship provision 100 brokered Apprenticeships or employment opportunities

5. Apprenticeship Pledgeometer Allows employers to pledge apprentice job vacancies in the run up to, and during national apprenticeship week National Apprenticeship Service will publish a list of all employers who have made a pledge. Recruitment for any jobs pledged should take place between National Apprenticeship Week (3 rd – 7 th March 2014) and the 31 st December 2014.

6. Progressions Walsall works progressions Incentive available to existing apprentices where employers require an incentive to retain and progress the apprenticeship to higher levels (Higher or Advanced) Apprentice must not have been supported with Walsall Works funding previously Employment must meet Walsall Works conditions. Skills Factory £1250 available to businesses who have engineering apprenticeships in the PEO framework. Further details available http://www.blackcountryskillsfactory.co.uk/http://www.blackcountryskillsfactory.co.uk/

7. Events 13-16 March 2014 at NEC Free admission Engage and inspire young people through interactive and engaging activities, workshops and shows The Real Apprenticeship Event Walsall Event – 13 th March 2014 2pm – 7.30pm

8. European Social Fund update Allocation of £150m for the Black Country for 2014-2020 A number of thematic objectives: Innovation SME Competiveness Low Carbon Environment Employment Skills and Social Inclusion Support for Year 10 and Year 11s – Engagement into the World of Work 16-18 year old NEETS 19-24 year old long term unemployed 25 years plus unemployed Skills Support

9. BC Gold Who is it for? Existing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the Black Country operating in the advanced manufacturing, building technologies, transport technologies (including aerospace), business services or environmental technologies sectors. They must also be aiming to increase turnover up to 20% within 12 months of completing the project for which they have received support. Whilst businesses can be operated from domestic premises they must have completed all necessary registrations, including with H.M. Revenue & Customs, and, if appropriate, Companies House. All businesses, whether operated from domestic or commercial premises, must have appropriate planning permission for the use of their premises For the avoidance of doubt, the business should be paying rates to a Black Country Local Authority.

10. BC Gold What grants are available? Maximum grant available in £16,000 Grants will provide a 50% contribution towards the approved business costs of: - Diversification - Capital Purchases - Consultancy - Development of Key Personnel The remaining 50% cash match must be provided by the applicant. Matched funding cannot be in kind.

11. BC Gold How can Training Providers get involved? Refer eligible interested businesses onto the scheme. Training providers may be in a position to act as consultants for the businesses accessing the grant, particularly those businesses accessing the grant to develop key personnel. http://www.wolverhamptonbsc.com/bcgold

12. Any Other Business

13. Date of Future Session Monday 7 th July 2014, 10.00am – 11.00am at Conference Room 2, Walsall Council House, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TP

14. Contact Details 01922 654353 walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk Walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk www.flickr.com/walsallworks @Walsallworks Search for Walsallworks