Consultation - Warwickshire Careers Strategy 2019/20 - 2024/25

In May 2018, a report was taken to Corporate Board recommending the development of a new Warwickshire Careers Strategy and the establishment of a new Employability & Skills Board to co-ordinate and drive this work forward within priority WE4 of the Warwickshire Education strategy. Accordingly, a draft strategy was developed by May 2019.

A consultation process on the draft strategy was undertaken from 24th June-26th July 2019. The aim of the consultation was to engage with and obtain feedback from a range of residents with a particular focus on those most likely to benefit from the strategy such as young people, adult learners both in work and seeking work, and vulnerable learners.

The consultation included an on-line survey available to all residents/stakeholders and a series of discussions with groups of keystakeholders. There was also an option to request a consultation survey document to be sent by post for return by pre-paid post or dropping off at a library.

There were 83 visitors to the on-line consultation with 19 responses spread across these types of residents: Business; Secondary School staff; FE College staff; General Public; Parent/Guardian/Carer; Special School staff.

Discussions were held with more than 100 people at these key stakeholder groups:

• Adult & Community Learning (WCC) customers at Leamington Spa;
• Care Leavers’ Forum (WCC);
• Careers Leaders from secondary schools/FE colleges;
• Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (South Warwickshire branch);
• Northern Area Secondary Head Teachers and College Leaders;
• Southam College pupils from years 9-12 ;
• Youth Parliament (WCC).

A separate written response was received from the Federation of Small Businesses which represents the interests and views of nearly 27,000 small businesses in the county.

There was strong agreement (around two-thirds of respondents) with the vision and priorities proposed.

13 key issues and recommendations arising from feedback were presented to Cabinet on 12^th September. To view this report please click on this this link.

In response to feedback, a number of changes were made to the revised strategy presented to Cabinet. The changes related to :

• Provision of Careers Education, Information and Advice
• Expanding the Communications plan to include more ‘grassroots’ promotion in local communities.
• Exploring how advice and learning support provided by libraries can be promoted more widely.
• Exploring how the Council’s Adult & Community Learning offer can be promoted more widely.
• Ensuring the new web portal provides comprehensive information for young people (as well as other residents).
• Further development of business/education collaboration by support from the Skills for Employment programme and working with the Federation of Small Businesses and Chamber of Commerce.
• Providing another opportunity for Special Schools to apply for the Skills for Employment £3,000 grant for 2019/20 and encouraging them to apply for the free Careers consultancy support being introduced in September 2019.
• Ensuring support for middle-aged Adults is clearly communicated.
• Paying particular attention to the needs of residents with mental health issues to ensure communication of information and support is appropriate to their needs.
•  Expanding the Skills supply and demand information currently provided to cover more sectors and job types and providing it more regularly.

Cabinet approved the strategy without any further changes on 12^th September.

The Employability & Skills Board met on 27^th September 2019 to review the draft implementation plan and agree specific actions for members.

The new web portal which will be the focal point for the new strategy and access to further information and support has been developed and will be ready to go live in November 2019.

The strategy will be launched in the second half of November 2019.

A review of the launch and initial implementation will take place at the next  meeting of the Employability & Skills Board on 31^st January 2020.