Employment and Skills delivery 2014 – 2020

Discussion document September 2013

1 Updated 27th September 2013 Background

In July the Department for Education and Skills circulated a discussion document outlining the Welsh Government’s strategic approach to the delivery of employment and skills support for both individuals and businesses which will provide a basis for future utilisation of European Structural Funds.

A range of responses were received from a number of our key stakeholders who were generally in favour of the intended approach as outlined in the document and re- iterated below. Responses were received from a wide range of organisations and representative bodies including the WLGA, WCVA, education and training providers, third sector organisations and individual local authorities. The feedback, along with a number of face-to-face meetings undertaken during the summer, has helped to shape the next iteration of the employment and skills footprint document.

Feedback has confirmed that we are on track to deliver against the three key drivers behind our developments:

 the need for a more simplified and streamlined model of delivery that will avoid the issues of duplication and competition experienced across the current programme landscape;  articulation of a ‘footprint’ for delivery that takes account of national, regional and local needs and which sets clear strategic direction for those involved in the delivery of employment and skills support to adults;  the need for a more integrated assessment and referral service for businesses and individuals wishing to access support for their skills needs, where possible through a single access point.

We have also been developing further our ideas for Welsh Government-led employment and skills support activities and are proposing a Flexible Skills Fund and Employer Skills Priorities Fund as part of our response in addition to those pan-Wales programmes referred to in the document issued in July. Further detail on these is provided below.

The purpose of this version of the footprint document is to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to be further informed about our intended approach. It also provides an opportunity for further input into the more detailed delivery arrangements as set out in the delivery table contained within the document.

We would very much welcome your views and suggestions for inclusion in the delivery table in order to ensure we capture the full range of anticipated activities at each level of delivery. Please forward your comments to [email protected]. We would also be happy to facilitate face-to-face meetings if you feel that would be more beneficial.

Once again I look forward to hearing from you.

Cath Jenkins Deputy Director Employment and Skills

2 3 Updated 27th September 2013 Employment and Skills delivery approach 2014-2020

Overview

DfES is currently developing a new approach to employment and skills support which will deliver a more integrated employment and skills offer from 2014 onwards. DfES will focus on providing leadership and direction, adopting more of a strategic commissioning role as opposed to a direct delivery role, with a view to creating a more coherent and integrated portfolio of programmes at national, regional and local level.

The recent Guilford Review of the implementation arrangements for the 2014 round of European funding clearly indicates the value of a more locally focussed approach to identifying and responding to needs set within the context of an Economic Prioritisation Framework. Building on the outcomes from this Review, we are working with WEFO to inform the emerging Economic Prioritisation Framework, and to develop a clear footprint for delivery at national, regional and local level. This will provide the platform for an integrated portfolio of employment and skills activity and a clear basis for utilisation of DfES programme funds as match funding within both DfES-led and externally-led projects.

Proposed approach

In line with the above, co-ordination of employment and skills delivery will be undertaken through an integrated portfolio of projects that respond to clearly identified and evidenced need and operate at a combination of national, regional and local levels.

DfES will set the national strategic priorities which, through joint working with other Welsh Government departments, will also reflect the need for contribution to wider potential outcomes in areas such as regeneration, economic development and tackling poverty through employment and skills interventions. DfES will develop a small number of strategic projects alongside existing delivery arrangements such as apprenticeships and Jobs Growth Wales, further detail is included in the table below.

4 Provision

Key to the successful delivery of employment and skills support is a clearly defined provision landscape that ensures sufficient coverage and avoids duplication and competition whilst taking account of local and regional as well as national requirements. Provision will be defined within a three tier approach and will comprise a portfolio of project delivery that combines national, regional and local schemes:

National Tier: DfES will define strategic priorities at a national level, including quality expectations, and will act as lead sponsor for a small number of large, strategic pan- Wales programmes. This is likely to include activities such as a national apprenticeship scheme and Jobs Growth Wales as well as a new single engagement, assessment and referral service for individuals and employers wishing to access skills support (Skills Gateway). DfES is also currently considering the development of two employer-focussed interventions; the Employer Skills Priorities Fund, which would build on the existing Sector Priorities Fund approach to deliver more employer- responsive skills provision, and the Flexible Skills Fund, which aims to meet the recruitment and skills needs of strategically important companies. All of the above will ensure that there is a consistent approach across Wales to delivering strategic, national-level priorities in line with key Welsh Government policies.

It is anticipated that there may also be a need to commission other (non Welsh Government-led) national activity.

Regional Tier: Based on evidence of regional skills and employment needs, provision will be commissioned that complements the national schemes as outlined above. This is likely to include a range of workforce up-skilling provision and support for entry into, and progression within the workplace, responding to specific regional economic conditions and priorities. It is also likely to include regionally-focused youth engagement activities.

Local Tier: This will effectively be a gap filling provision at a very local level. This is likely to be niche provision i.e. specific targeting of hardest to help and most disadvantaged.

The table below provides a suggestion of the anticipated delivery arrangements and associated activities across the three tiers outlined above. This table has been compiled following feedback and direct engagement with a number of key stakeholders, however it is not a definitive list and we would welcome further comment/input to ensure we have as robust as possible a list of anticipated activities at each tier of delivery. In particular we need to be mindful of the developments taking place at a regional level that will influence the delivery arrangements at that and the more local level. There is also a need to ensure that any identified activities are supported by a robust assessment of need and sound evidence base for the type of intervention being proposed at each level.

5 Updated 27th September 2013 West Wales and the Valleys Priorities

European Structural Funds Nat Regional Delivery Local Delivery Activities not yet Priorities and Themes ion allocated to a al specific delivery tier Del ive ry

We Other Agency /organisation Lead Regional Responses L lsh Sponsor o Go c ver a nm l ent Lea C d o Sp m on m sor u n i t y

R e s p o n s e s Youth Employment Theme 1: Youth Labour market Third sector - Activity identified through Activity identified and Attainment Employment (up to 25 participation for transitional employment provision mapping and through provision years old) young people for disadvantaged evidence gathering to mapping and e.g. Jobs young people aged 16 support Youth evidence gathering to Growth Wales – 24 who have more Engagement and support Youth

6 Updated 27th September 2013 (currently to complex barriers to Progression Framework Engagement and March 2015). work. Progression Provision to support more Framework Apprenticeship First stage intervention flexible course start dates s across all projects for the most – ‘roll on, roll off’ provision Bespoke local relevant disadvantaged and (especially in FE). responses to identified vocational areas disaffected young need not met through people for whom Support to overcome national and regional Traineeships for employment or more complex barriers to delivery. Theme 2: Youth 16-18 year olds: education would not be participation in education Attainment and  Assessment immediately or training i.e. drug and  Niche provision i.e. Engagement of need appropriate will feed alcohol misuse specific targeting of into the above  Activities to hardest to help and transitional employment Support targeted at prevent most projects. disadvantaged groups in disengageme disadvantaged particular looked after nt  Training through children and care leavers, effective non-  Motivation young people who have traditional means  Confidence offended, young people with additional learning Supporting needs. transition from education to employment. A Early identification and strategic project tracking process for young to support people who are in danger schools in their of becoming NEET delivery of the Careers and the world of work framework. Activities to include: - Work experience; - Practitioner training (initial and CPD); - Enhancing/co-

7 Updated 27th September 2013 ordinating employer engagement in schools & colleges; - Entrepreneurship activities (links with Young Enterprise & Inquiry into Youth Entrepreneurship ); - Engaging young people through Sport

Skills for Growth Theme 1: Adaptability & Apprenticeship Bespoke local ESOL Progression s across all responses to identified relevant need not met through vocational areas national and regional delivery. Delivery of employer-led skills provision [Employer Skills Priorities Fund]

Meeting the recruitment and skills needs of individuals and of strategically important companies which cannot be met through other existing provision and/or where

8 Updated 27th September 2013 there is a clear case for Welsh Government intervention. [Flexible Skills Fund]

National referral and assessment system including access to Adult careers advice and guidance [Skills Gateway]

Employer engagement and job matching activities [Skills Gateway]

Theme 2: Skills for Delivery of Graduate employment Research & Innovation employer-led support: skills provision  Work placements [Employer Skills  Self-employment Priorities Fund] support Meeting the High level skills recruitment and development through skills needs of tailor made training individuals and of opportunities. strategically Application of research important through placements companies which with companies – cannot be met especially SMEs. through other existing provision Development of and/or where foundation degrees there is a clear

9 Updated 27th September 2013 case for Welsh within a regional Government dimension, responding intervention. to specific institutional [Flexible Skills expertise and resource Fund] provision, as well as regional sector demand. [HE-led projects]

Theme 3: Leadership Bespoke local Leadership and and Management responses to identified Management skills, need not met through with particular national and regional reference to skills that delivery. support economic growth, adaptability, procurement and promotion of overseas trade. Theme 4: Gender Overcoming Labour market Equality inequalities in the engagement for labour market disadvantaged groups – [Chwarae Teg] furthest from the labour market Soft skills i.e. confidence building, motivation etc – overcoming barriers to engagement in the labour market. Tackling Poverty Theme 1: Helping National referral Third sector - First step Accredited work focussed Bespoke local ESOL through people into employment and assessment engagement training responses to identified Sustainable system including interventions to provide need not met through Digital Skills Employment access to Adult support to those Work Placements and national and regional careers advice furthest from the labour work experiences with in delivery. and guidance market, with complex work mentoring & support [Skills Gateway] disadvantages and  Niche provision i.e. barriers to employment, Support to overcome final specific targeting of Employer including workless barriers to participation in hardest to help and engagement and families. Facilitated the labour market i.e. most

10 Updated 27th September 2013 job matching through small, tailored, childcare, transport, disadvantaged activities participant-focussed, accredited sector specific  Training through [Skills Gateway] locally delivered vocational training and effective non- projects mainly from the qualifications traditional means Meeting the third sector. recruitment and Employer incentives to skills needs of Supported employment employ redundant individuals and of for individuals across all workers strategically target groups (50+, important Work Limiting Health Up-skilling/re-skilling for companies which Conditions, Women redundant workers cannot be met returners, Ex-offenders, through other Substance Misuse and existing provision Lone Parents) wanting and/or where to take the next step there is a clear through a mixture of: case for Welsh - transitional Government employment intervention opportunities to help [Flexible Skills people prepare for work Fund] - support for people Theme 2: Inclusion & National referral with entrenched Support to overcome Bespoke local Engagement in the and assessment multiple barriers rather more complex barriers to responses to identified labour market system including than just ‘work ready’ participation in the labour need not met through access to Adult individuals market i.e. drug and national and regional careers advice - actions to improve the alcohol misuse delivery. and guidance skill base of each [Skills Gateway] participant  Niche provision i.e. specific targeting of Note: The activities hardest to help and will be coordinated at most regional and local level disadvantaged and ensure that Training through services can be  participant-centred effective non- without reference to traditional means multiple boundaries.

Theme 3: Helping Continued Provision of early Access to work focused Continued delivery of

11 Updated 27th September 2013 people stay & progress delivery of intervention, work health care through NHS the Fit for Work into work Healthy focused health support. or 3rd sector delivery. Services Working Wales, to Improve health ABMU – continued and well being at delivery of Well being work; to reduce through Work the impact of Ill- (condition management health at work; support). and, to encourage early intervention services.

12 Updated 27th September 2013 East Wales Priorities

European Structural Funds Nat Regional Delivery Local Delivery Activities not yet Priorities and Themes ion allocated to a al specific delivery tier Del ive ry

We Other Agency/organisation Lead Regional Responses L lsh Sponsor o Go c ver a nm l ent Lea C d o Sp m on m sor u n i t y

R e s p o n s e s Skills for Growth Apprenticeship Overcoming Bespoke local s across all inequalities in the responses to identified relevant labour market need not met through vocational areas [Chwarae Teg] national and regional delivery.

13 Updated 27th September 2013 National referral and assessment system [Skills Gateway]

Workforce development activities [Skills Gateway]

Funding accessible to FEIs specifically for the delivery of employer-led skills provision [Employer Skills Priorities Fund]

Tackling Poverty TBC by WEFO National referral Third sector - First step Accredited work focussed Bespoke local Digital skills through and assessment engagement training responses to identified Sustainable system including interventions to provide need not met through ESOL Employment access to Adult support to those Work Placements and national and regional careers advice furthest from the labour work experiences with in delivery. and guidance market, with complex work mentoring & support [Skills Gateway] disadvantages and  Niche provision i.e. barriers to employment, Support to overcome final specific targeting of Employer including workless barriers to participation in hardest to help and engagement and families. Facilitated the labour market i.e. most job matching through small, tailored, childcare, transport, disadvantaged activities participant-focussed, accredited sector specific  Training through [Skills Gateway] locally delivered vocational training and effective non- projects mainly from the qualifications traditional means Meeting the skills third sector. needs of Employer incentives to companies of Supported employment employ redundant strategic for individuals across all workers importance target groups (50+, which cannot be Work Limiting Health Up-skilling/re-skilling for

14 Updated 27th September 2013 met through Conditions, Women redundant workers other existing returners, Ex-offenders, provision and/or Substance Misuse and where there is a Lone Parents) wanting clear case for to take the next step Welsh through a mixture of: Government - transitional intervention employment [Flexible Skills opportunities to help Fund] people prepare for work - support for people with entrenched multiple barriers rather than just ‘work ready’ individuals - actions to improve the skill base of each participant

Note: The activities will be coordinated at regional and local level and ensure that services can be participant-centred without reference to multiple boundaries.

Youth Employment Labour market Third sector - Activity identified through Activity identified participation for transitional employment provision mapping to through provision young people for disadvantaged support Youth mapping to support e.g. Jobs young people aged 16 Engagement and Youth Engagement Growth Wales – 24 who have more Progression Framework and Progression (currently to complex barriers to Framework March 2015). work. Provision to support more flexible course start dates

15 Updated 27th September 2013 Traineeships for First stage intervention – ‘roll on, roll off’ provision Bespoke local 16-18 year olds: projects for the most (especially in FE). responses to identified Assessment of disadvantaged and need not met through need disaffected young Support to overcome national and regional people for whom more complex barriers to delivery.  Activities to employment or participation in education prevent education would not be or training i.e. drug and disengageme  Niche provision i.e. immediately alcohol misuse nt specific targeting of appropriate will feed hardest to help and  Motivation into the above Early identification and most  Confidence transitional employment tracking process for young disadvantaged projects. people who are in danger  Training through Supporting of becoming NEET effective non- transition from traditional means education to employment. A strategic project to support schools in their delivery of the Careers and the world of work framework.

16 Updated 27th September 2013 Next steps

Once the delivery table has been completed and agreed, we will undertake an exercise to map the various activities identified at each tier against the skills progression routeway as illustrated below.

It is anticipated that this will subsequently highlight specific areas of weakness in the system and identify gaps in support at each stage that could feasibly be responded to through the regional or local delivery tiers.

Key Milestones

By end September: Circulate and discuss revised footprint document with key stakeholders.

Throughout October: Welsh Government will continue to work with stakeholders to flesh out the delivery arrangements across the three tiers of the model.

By end of November: Final version of the Footprint document will be published. Welsh Government will continue to work with stakeholders to inform project development for key activities post 2014.

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