Learning and Skills Framework 2015/18 (The West Lothian Community Learning and Development Plan)

West Lothian Council

Assessment of Need Data Analysis and Summary of Conclusions Document

NOTE: UPDATED 15 June 2015 (v2.6)(2)

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CONTENTS

• Assessment of Needs Overview Page 3 • Targeted support for learners with specific needs Page 3 • Citizens Panel Survey Page 7 • Uptake of current activities Page 10 • Risk Matrix Page 12 • Consultation with key community organisations Page 14 • Demographic and employment projections Page 15 • Life Stages Page 19 • The Community Learning and Development Workforce Page 20 • National and Local Strategies considered as part of the Plan Page 21

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Assessment of Need - Overview

The local authority is required to ensure that the following happen in its area, regardless of who does them:

■ Target individuals and groups most likely to benefit from the provision of community learning and development are identified. ■ The community learning and development needs of these individuals and groups are taken into account. ■ There is an assessment of the extent to which these needs are already being met. ■ Barriers to the efficient and adequate provision of community learning and development are identified.

An assessment of need has been undertaken, bringing together a number of information sources including a questionnaire to the Citizens Panel, consultation with key community organisations working in our most disadvantaged areas, uptake of current provision, and consideration of demographic and employment projections.

Targeted support for learners with specific needs

Consideration has been given to what targeted support is required to meet the needs of individuals with the following specific needs:

■ Deaf and hearing impaired: ■ English as a Second or Other Language ■ Lacking qualifications ■ Unemployed people ■ Refugees and asylum seekers ■ Gypsy / Traveller ■ People with a Disability ■ Dyslexia

An assessment of need has been undertaken, bringing together a number of information sources including a questionnaire to the citizens panel, consultation with key community organisations working in our most disadvantaged areas, uptake of current provision, and consideration of demographic and employment projections.

■ Deaf and hearing impaired: There are an estimated 1,012,000 people in Scotland with some degree of hearing loss (of whom approximately 546,000 are over the age of 60); an estimated 701,000 people with mild to moderate deafness; and an estimated 57,000 people with severe to profound deafness. British Sign Language users are less likely to be economically active, and more likely to be permanently sick or disabled. They are also more likely never to have worked than the population as a whole.

The number of people in Scotland who identify their first language as British Sign Language (BSL) is 13,000 according to the 2011 Census. Assuming a uniform distribution, there would be around 430 residents of West Lothian who identify their first language as British Sign Language.

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The target population is those adults for whom there is an acquired hearing loss. Lip- reading classes are targeted at adults with acquired hearing loss, not the whole of the deaf population, and in 2014-15 there were 55 lip-reading learners as shown in the table below. Given the expected increase in the over 60 population, this indicates a potential needs for additional provision.

West Lothian College and Donaldson’s School, Scotland's national school for children who are deaf, hearing impaired or have communication difficulties, also run British Sign Language classes for which there are fees.

■ English as a Second or Other Language: Minority ethnic and white non-British groups made up 8% (220,000 people) of Scotland’s population in 2011. West Lothian has a lower proportion of minority ethnic groups at 2.5% of the population against 4.0% for Scotland. Polish people in Scotland had the lowest English language skills. There were 61,000 Polish people in Scotland, so assuming a uniform distribution, there would be around 2,000 residents of West Lothian who are Polish.

Learning ABE ABE - ABE - ABE - ABE - WL Community total Literacies ESOL Lipreadin Accreditai College g on ABE - ESOL

Armadale Ac. 11% 13% 8% 16% 16% 9% Bathgate Ac. 20% 19% 25% 10% 14% 20% Broxburn Ac. 16% 8% 23% 19% 12% 10% Deans CHS 10% 13% 8% 10% 10% 19% Inveralmond CHS 18% 18% 21% 2% 18% 26% James Young HS 6% 5% 7% 6% 4% 5% Linlithgow Ac. 3% 5% 1% 10% 4% 3% West Calder HS 5% 5% 3% 15% 5% 4% Whitburn Ac. 11% 15% 6% 13% 18% 6% WEST LOTHIAN 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% TOTAL 1134 410 525 62 137 105

The table above gives a breakdown of various streams within Adult Basic Education, including English as a Second or Other Language provision (through both Adult Basic Education and West Lothian College). There is significantly higher take up of English for Speakers of Other Languages in the Bathgate, Broxburn and Inveralmond which reflects the high proportion of private rented homes in these areas, many of which are rented by Polish and other workers from the expanded European Union. The priority group will be those adults who have little, if any spoken and written English Language skills and who wish to gain accreditation. Evidence indicates that current provision is adequate.

■ Lacking qualifications: The proportion of adults in Scotland aged 16-64 with low or no qualifications (SCQF level 4 or below) was 11.5% in 2014; down from 19.1% in 2004. Males, older people, those with a disability and residents of the most deprived 20% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) data-zones are more likely to have low qualifications. http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms/indicator/skill

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Planned literacies and community based adult learning provision is targeted at adults with no or low qualifications. The opportunity to gain accreditation is embedded within existing provision.

■ Unemployed people: The unemployment rate in West Lothian is similar to the Scottish average, but there is a core of very long term claimants (more than 5 years) across all age ranges who require additional support.

The table below gives the number of learners access accredited learning and community based adult learning delivered by the CLD (Adults) team and registrations and outcomes from the Access 2 Employment team.

Learning % of WLC CLD CLD CLD A2E A2E Community populatio (adults) (adults) (adult regis- outcome n of accred- Communi learning) trations s working ited ty Based all course age : learning Adult partici- 2011 Learning pants Armadale Ac. 9.6% 9% 8% 8% 13% 12% Bathgate Ac. 13.5% 11% 5% 6% 18% 17% Broxburn Ac. 10.5% 17% 9% 9% 10% 10% Deans CHS 9.5% 14% 15% 17% 5% 6% Inveralmond CHS 13.9% 20% 16% 15% 14% 12% James Young HS 7.9% 4% 9% 8% 5% 3% Linlithgow Ac. 11.2% 4% 8% 7% 4% 4% West Calder HS 12.5% 8% 12% 13% 6% 7% Whitburn Ac. 11.5% 13% 17% 17% 26% 28% WEST LOTHIAN 100.0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% TOTAL 153 818 903 1,367 846

These show a greater than average number of learners in the Deans, Inveralmond, James Young and Whitburn learning communities and a greater than average number of job-seekers registering in Armadale, Bathgate and Whitburn learning communities which are areas of higher unemployment.

■ Refugees and asylum seekers: Scotland currently hosts around 2,000 asylum seekers, which was around 10% of the total number of asylum seekers making claims in the UK. The vast majority of asylum seekers in Scotland live in Glasgow. A refugee is someone whose application for asylum individually has been successful; there are no robust figures available for the number of refugees living in Scotland.

■ Gypsy / Traveller: These are a diverse set of communities with a population of around 4,000 in Scotland. The 2011 Census recorded 66 Gypsy / Traveller residents in West Lothian. These were more likely to have lower skills in English language and more likely to speak other languages at home; and were more likely to have worse health than the population, despite a younger age profile. There is currently no targeted work with this community although some members of this community access mainstream provision.

■ People with a Disability: Compared to the general population disabled people are more likely to be economically inactive, to have no qualifications, never worked and to be in the lowest social grades. They are more likely than non-disabled people to

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face barriers to work due to lack of confidence and attitudes of employers, and are more likely to work from home.

The 2011 Census found that 28.7% of the population of West Lothian had one or more long-term health condition, which was the eighth lowest of Scottish local authorities.

The West Lothian European Social Fund (ESF) Priority 5 Pipeline (Sept 2011- December 2014) had 3,898 registrations of which 4.5% had a disability, 4% had mental health issues and the same percentage had a physical illness. Some people experienced more than one issue so the percentage of participants with a disability would be below 12.5%.

All evidence gathered from the roll out of the recent Welfare Reforms indicates that adults with a disability will be more likely to be disadvantaged. Actions will be targeted at those adults with a disability who are seeking to upskill and gain employment.

■ Dyslexia: an estimated 10% of the Scottish population is thought to be dyslexic in some way. Assuming a uniform distribution, that would be around 17,500 residents of West Lothian. There is a wide range of skills levels amongst adults with dyslexia and literacies provision is targeted at those adults for whom dyslexia has the greatest impact on reading, writing and number skills. An official dyslexia diagnosis tends to be gained through participation in formal education and so the majority of this target group haven’t received a formal diagnosis Estimates suggest that around 70% of Adult Basic Education learners’ skills have dyslexia.

Analysis of availability and take up of current learning provision indicates that there are sufficient learning opportunities available for learners with specific barriers, including:

■ Deaf and hearing impaired: ■ English as a Second or Other Language ■ Lacking qualifications

■ Unemployed people

■ Refugees and asylum seekers ■ Gypsy / Traveller ■ People with a Disability ■ Dyslexia

However, further work requires to be done to identify if there are potential learners requiring support that community learning and development partners are not aware of or engaging with.

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Citizens Panel survey

A specific survey of the Citizens Panel on their views on community learning and development in West Lothian was undertaken by email, with the aim of maximising the response rate from members. The demographic profile of the panel relative to age, gender, multi member ward, tenure and ethnicity is representative of the West Lothian population. The email invitation was sent to all 1,841 panel members with email addresses with a following reminder mailing. A total of 396 responses were received overall, representing a 22% response rate.

The questionnaire was designed to provide information on: ■ overall awareness of community learning and development services; ■ Relevance of proposed outcomes to future CLD services, activities and learning opportunities; ■ participation in CLD learning or activities and experience of specific CLD activities; ■ leaning opportunities available in West Lothian which are highly rated; ■ learning opportunities not currently available in West Lothian; and ■ the ease of finding learning opportunities.

The panel was asked to rate the relevance of the proposed outcomes and this was very positive, as shown in the table below, suggesting that these outcomes have strong support.

OUTCOME Excellent Adequate Poor / / Good Very Poor Improved skills 78% 19% 3% Embedding lifelong learning 75% 22% 3% Supporting disadvantaged communities and groups 71% 24% 5% Building capacity in community organisations 62% 31% 7%

The survey asked respondents to rate their awareness of CLD services, activities and learning opportunities in West Lothian. This revealed that 28% of respondents were of the opinion that their awareness was excellent or good, 28% said it was adequate and 43% said it was poor or very poor.

Responses from those who had an excellent or good awareness of CLD services, activities and learning opportunities in West Lothian indicated a high level of satisfaction, particularly for Adult Basic Education and IT / Computing / Digital Inclusion as shown in the table below:

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Total Excellent Poor/ Analysis % by respondents Adequate responses /good very poor Adult Basic Education 41 93% 7% 0% Arts activities 37 76% 24% 0% Childcare / Early Years 36 72% 25% 3% English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 24 71% 25% 4% IT / Computing / Digital Inclusion 39 87% 13% 0% Outdoor expeditions 36 64% 33% 3% Sports activities 44 80% 18% 2% Support to Community Centre (and other) management committees 40 73% 18% 10% Support to local groups 44 70% 23% 7% Uniformed youth organisations 31 68% 26% 6% Youth Clubs 32 63% 28% 9%

One in ten respondents (10%) were of the opinion that there were learning opportunities not currently available in West Lothian that they believed should be. The vast majority of respondents answered don’t know to this question (83%).

Where respondents felt there were learning opportunities which were not currently available in West Lothian, they were asked to provide further details of the types of services or learning opportunities they felt should be made available in West Lothian. The most common response was by respondents who felt there should be a better range of night classes or training in general such as crafts, foreign languages and cooking classes (11 respondents in total). Five individuals cited others including adult literacy, language and numeracy classes.

Services or learning opportunities respondents felt should be made available No. in West Lothian Better range of night classes/ training in general e.g. crafts/ foreign languages/ cooking etc. 11 Adult literacy/ language/ numeracy classes 5 Parenting classes/ support groups 3 Learning opportunities to be provided more locally/ at different times of the day 3 Youth centres/ facilities for teenagers 2 Help for young people to find employment 2 Higher education 2 Apprenticeships 2 Other 7

The 2013 Quality of Life Survey generated a total of 1764 responses from the Citizens Panel, and there was a specific question about about learning and training opportunities. Just over one in ten respondents (11%) stated that they are currently accessing learning or training opportunities. In the main (54%), this is being done for their job. 30% are doing this to further their education, 20% for leisure and 12% for some other reason.

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Figure 4: How much do you agree with the following statements

All respondents were asked about their perceptions of learning or training opportunities in West Lothian. As shown above in Figure 4:

■ 71% agreed that ‘Adults in West Lothian have access to a range of appropriate learning opportunities’ (65% in 2010). ■ 63% agreed that ‘Training and further education facilities in West Lothian are good’ (57% in 2010). ■ 59% agreed that ‘I have access to the learning opportunities I need/want’ (54% in 2010). 54% agreed that ‘I am satisfied with the state of education in West Lothian nowadays’ (49% in 2010).

Analysis indicates that where respondents were currently accessing learning or training opportunities they had a different view to those who were not currently accessing learning or training opportunities. Those who were currently accessing learning or training were more likely to agree that ‘I have access to the learning opportunities I need/ want (63% agree compared to 58% of those that are not currently accessing learning or training). Interestingly, they were also more likely to disagree with 20% of those that are currently accessing learning or training disagreeing with this statement compared to 9% of those who are not.

In terms of agreement with the statement ‘training and further education facilities in West Lothian are good, 57% of those that are currently accessing learning or training agreed with this statement and 10% disagreed. This was compared to 64% of those who are not currently accessing learning or training agreeing with the statement and 6% disagreeing.

The results of the citizens panel survey indicate that residents with an excellent or good

awareness of CLD services supported the proposed outcomes and had a high level of satisfaction with activities currently being delivered. There was some indication of demand for a wider range of recreational evening night classes, however this is not a core community learning and development function.

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Uptake of current activities

There is a strong learning offer in West Lothian, delivered by a range of organisations including West Lothian Council, West Lothian College and voluntary organisations. An analysis of 2013-14 learners accessing a range of activities by postcode provided a breakdown of the proportion of these from each learning community which was then compared against the general population breakdown.

The table below gives the “standardised ratio” for people of working age in each learning community who have no qualifications. The average is 100 and a score above 100 indicates a higher than average proportion of the working age population lack qualifications whilst less than 100 indicates a higher than average proportion have qualifications. Linlithgow Academy learning community has the highest proportion with qualifications and Whitburn Academy the lowest.

. Learning Working age people % 16-19 not in full Proportion of 17- 21 Community with no quals time education year olds entering (stand’isd ratio) employ’nt or higher education (2001) training rate (HESA 2008/09- (School Leavers 2010/11) 2009/10-2010-11, DWP 2010 and 2011)

Armadale Ac. 119 12.0% 7.0% Bathgate Ac. 110 13.8% 9.5% Broxburn Ac. 99 8.9% 10.9% Deans CHS 96 10.2% 22.7% Inveralmond CHS 104 10.7% 7.8% James Young HS 79 5.3% 16.7% Linlithgow Ac. 61 5.4% 25.8% West Calder HS 94 5.6% 14.1% Whitburn Ac. 133 13.1% 4.5% WEST LOTHIAN 100 9.6% 11.6%

The proportion of 16 to 19 year olds not in full time employment, education or training (NEET) is highest in the Bathgate Academy learning community and lowest in James Young High School. The proportion of 17- 21 year olds entering higher education is highest in the Linlithgow Academy learning community and lowest in Whitburn.

Improvements continue to be made with the proportion of school leavers progressing into a positive destination increasing significantly in the last five years. This was 93% for those leaving school in 2013-14. Individual secondary school results are given in the table below.

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School Positive Destinations % Armadale Academy 91.6% Bathgate Academy 92.6% Broxburn Academy 88.2% Deans Community High School 93.3% Inveralmond Community High School 93.6% Linlithgow Academy 94.9% St Kentigern's Academy 94.3% St Margaret's Academy 94.6% The James Young High School 92.9% West Calder High School 92.7% Whitburn Academy 92.4% West Lothian Council 93.0%

This analysis of take up by learning community indicated:

• A greater than average uptake of learners in the Deans, Inveralmond, James Young and Whitburn learning communities • A greater than average number of job-seekers registering with Access 2 Employment in Armadale, Bathgate and Whitburn learning communities, which are areas of higher unemployment. • Take up of community and leisure activities in the Deans and Inveralmond Community High Schools is predominately local. • There is significantly higher take up of West Lothian Council’s English for Speakers of Other Languages in the Bathgate, Broxburn and Inveralmond learning communities for council provision and in the Bathgate, Deans and Inveralmond learning communities for West Lothian College courses. This reflects the high proportion of private rented homes in these areas, many of which are occupied by workers from the expanded European Union. • The number of young people involved in of West Lothian Council’s youth work activities is proportionately highest in Armadale and Whitburn. • A survey in nine secondary schools in 2014 found that almost 70% of students participated in after / out of school activities, and 18% participated in awards or other certificated activities. One in seven attended a youth group and the same percentage volunteered. • West Lothian College had 4,321 learners aged 19+ over with 2,761 of these residing in West Lothian. There was higher than average take up per head of the population in the Bathgate, Deans, Inveralmond, James Young and Whitburn learning communities. This may be a proximity issue, as the college operates primarily from a central campus in Livingston. These are mainly vocational courses with the top three (by enrolments) being Commonwealth Games Security Personnel, REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene and English For Speakers Of Other Languages although the first of these is clearly a one-off.

In general, the take up of provision for all of the above is broadly in line with the working

age population accounting for proximity and previous educational experience. However, this, in itself, does not evidence that all demand for learning is being provided. This will initially be done through consultation with current learners and providers.

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Risk Matrix

West Lothian Council has developed a risk matrix which includes factors such as whether or not the primary or secondary school student has English as Another Language; Disengaged from learning; Additional Support Needs; Staged Intervention Level; Young Carer; Children and Young People's Team Involvement; Social Work Involvement; Police Involvement Looked After; Number of Days Exclusion; Attendance; Attendance (Previous Session); Free School Meals; Assessed Disabled; SIMD Rank of Home Address; Cognitive Abilities Test; and Eligible For Clothing Grant.

The matrix assesses the students as green, amber or red with red being those requiring most support. There are a total of 25,997 students in West Lothian schools and 933 of these are in the red category. The distribution of these by learning community is shown below:

Learning Community Number of % of WLC students total

Armadale Academy 68 8% Bathgate Academy 141 16% Broxburn Academy 70 8% Deans Community High School 93 10% Inveralmond Community High School 217 24% James Young High School 66 7% Linlithgow Academy 30 3% West Calder High School 49 5% Whitburn Academy 172 19% TOTAL 906 100%

This indicates that there is a significantly higher than average proportion of “red” students in the Inveralmond, Whitburn and Bathgate catchment areas, although the learning community is based on home address so they may not be attending these specific schools.

The table below provides the same analysis by multi-member ward and indicates that Fauldhouse and Breich Valley, Whitburn and Blackburn and Bathgate wards have greater numbers of students assessed as being in the “red” category.

Multi-Member Ward Number of % of WLC students total

Armadale and Blackridge 61 8% Bathgate 87 16% Broxburn Uphall and Winchburgh 60 8% East Livingston & East Calder 143 10% Fauldhouse and Breich Valley 88 24% Linlithgow 21 7% Livingston North 174 3% Livingston South 82 5% Whitburn and Blackburn 185 19% TOTAL 901 100%

Almost 45% of those assessed as “red” live in the 20% most disadvantaged data zones, indicating a concentration of students more likely to require additional support.

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An analysis of addresses by data-zone confirms the likely existence of concentrations of students assessed as “red”. In 30 of the 211 data-zones there are 10 or more students in this category, with a total of 439 resident in these and 30 in Livingston Craigshill Groves West alone.

T he risk matrix indicates priority areas for community learning and development, with further analysis required to establish what specific interventions are required.

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Consultation with key community organisations

Discussions are being held with community organisations based, or working in, our most disadvantaged communities. Representatives from these organisations were able to give both their personal views and their understanding of local learning and development needs.

Statutory Consultation: Local Area Network

Organisations or Groups: Anti-Poverty Strategy Board Community Councils (sample from) Children’s and Families Management Group Community Centre Management Committee (sample from) Community Engagement Practitioners Group Community Planning Partnership Board Developing Scotland’s Workforce Steering Board Family and Community Development West Lothian Focus Groups from Adult Learners Group Focus Groups from Community Youth Services Health and Wellbeing Development Group Skills Development Scotland (SLS) Secondary Headteachers’ Group West Lothian College West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service (WLDAS) West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian Youth Congress

This consultation is being undertaken with a wide variety of stakeholders, including those in our most disadvantaged communities, in August and September 2015.

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Demographic and employment projections

This part of the assessment of need is based on evidence gathered from a range of statistical sources and builds on consultation with stakeholders including community groups and individuals.

A fuller analysis of West Lothian’s population, demographics, employment, unemployment, employers’ recruitment and skills requirements, education skills and lifelong learning, educational attainment, school leaver destinations, community learning infrastructure, earnings and wage levels and area based deprivation is given in a separate paper is available at:

http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/7084/West-Lothian-Community-Learning-and- Development-Planning-201518/doc/CLD_Plan_Appendix_D_- _Demographics_and_other_information.docx

Between 2001 and 2011 West Lothian was the second fastest growing local authority (after Aberdeenshire) in Scotland. Population growth is set to continue over the next 20 years, and the net effect of demographic change and growth over the next 25 years is that the population over 65 will increase (by 90%) whilst other life stage groupings will remain largely stable. This indicates a potential need for a range of additional provision, possibly including community learning and development opportunities, for older people.

There has been significant in-migration from Eastern Europe and further afield in the last ten years with, for example, 7% of 25 to 29 year olds in West Lothian now being of Polish ethnicity. West Lothian now has a more culturally and linguistically diverse population than ever before, and the demand for English for Speakers of Other Languages is likely to continue.

The population of working age in West Lothian (115,500) has increased and is projected to be at a similar level up to 2025 (the working age Scotland will decrease by 1.4% in this period). This does not take account of changes to the retirement age. Latest estimates indicate that 94,300 people are economically active, 80.4% of the working age population compared to 77.6% for Scotland. Within the economically active population there are 79,900 employees and 7,600 self-employed.

Headline unemployment, based on Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), has been falling for both adults and young people and an increasing proportion of the remaining jobless population will be more likely to experience multiple barriers and be more difficult to reach and help. Current data confirms that:

■ There is a core of very long term claimants of which 5,600 across all age ranges have been claiming for more than five years. ■ A much higher proportion of young people are on Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and are short term claimants. ■ Lone parents on Income Support also make-up a sizable group within the under 25 age range. ■ By far the biggest group of over 25 claimants are on Incapacity Benefit /Employment Support Allowance (IB/ESA) ■ 48% of over 25 claimants have been claiming for more than five years.

The scale of the challenges in connecting non Job Seekers Allowance claimants into work is highlighted by the Department of Work And Pensions flagship Work Programme which has only been successful with 5% of ex-Incapacity Benefit /Employment Support Allowance

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Low skilled job-seekers will find that entry-level jobs now require higher developed core skills than might have been the case previously including, for example, enhanced customer and communication skills and computing capacity. The process of job search and submitting applications to prospective employers is now mainly IT based with many claimants and applicants requiring up-skilling to be able to be able to do this.

Employment by occupation according to the Standard Occupational groupings shows:

■ 33% in group 1-3 (Managerial, professional and technical) ■ 25% in group 4-5 (Administrative, skilled trades) ■ 16% group 6-7 (Personal and customer services, sales) ■ 26% group 8-9 (Elementary and process operators).

West Lothian has a higher percentage of employees in occupational groups 4-9 (administrative, skilled trades, personal and customer services, sales, elementary and process operators) with below national average in groups 1-3 (managerial, professional and technical) which generally require higher qualification levels.

Retail, health and manufacturing are the three largest employment sectors in West Lothian. As well as Enterprise Area Status for the food and drink sector, West Lothian can also note key strengths and a strong presence in information and communication, life sciences, tourism, enabling technologies such as electronics and precision engineering, wholesale, construction and transport and storage.

Future recruitment and skills demands are difficult to predict. However, the recently published Regional Skills Assessment for Edinburgh and the Lothians indicates that employers in the area are more likely to have recruited and have experienced hard to fill vacancies and skills shortages than the Scottish norm. Of those employers that considered recruits from Scottish education to be poorly or very poorly prepared for work, the main reasons cited were:

■ lack of working world / life experience or maturity; ■ poor attitude / personality or lack of motivation; and ■ lack of required skills or competencies.

The greatest employment increases in Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians over the coming decade are expected to come from health and social work, professional services and information technology. The long term decline in employment within traditional industries, such as manufacturing, mining and agriculture, is set to continue. There are also expected job losses in public administration, defence and education.

Replacement demand ie from those who move jobs or retire, will result in over 253,000 job openings in the region over the coming decade. These openings will occur across all types of jobs, including those that are expected to decline in net terms

The majority of new job openings in Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians over the coming decade will require individuals with higher level skills and qualifications. There will be limited opportunities available to those with low or no qualifications. There will be an estimated 56,300 new jobs in groups 1-3 (managerial, professional and technical), a further 12,000 new jobs in group 6 (caring, leisure and other services) and a reduction in current demand in the other five categories.

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Gross wage levels for West Lothian (both residence and workplace) are slightly below the Scottish and GB levels. The gap has increased in the last year.

■ Approximately 19% of West Lothian working residents earn below the living wage level of £7.65 per hour (data based on 2013-14 living wage and 2013 ASHE data). ■ Approximately 23% of jobs located within West Lothian pay hourly rates below the living wage level. ■ Approximately 9,400 West Lothian working households receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. The represents 19% of all working households (slightly higher than the Scottish level of 18%) ■ The latest available figures show that 24% of children in West Lothian live in low income working households, compared to 25% for Scotland and GB. ■ Part time jobs in West Lothian (based on 2013 data) represent 29% of total jobs (compared with 26% in 1998 and 27% in 2008). The West Lothian level of part time jobs is however significantly lower than the 33% recorded for Scotland and GB.

West Lothian has a well-developed learning infrastructure with two modern college campuses (West Lothian College and Scotland’s Rural College), numerous school facilities and local learning centres. West Lothian is within an hours travel time of 10 of Scotland’s universities and a further 10 regional colleges. Whilst community learning and development is regarded as distinct from secondary, further and higher education, there is a significant overlap in practice between educational sectors.

The Superfast Scotland scheme, supported by a £2.5m investment from West Lothian Council will ensure that Superfast Broadband availability will increase from 60% of West Lothian premises (homes and businesses) to 99% by 2017. It is expected that take up of Superfast Broadband in West Lothian will increase from 16.5% at present to somewhere between 30% and 40% by 2018.

These speeds in excess of 20Mbps (twenty million bits per second) will enable channel shift in the delivery of online learning, allowing live streaming of audio and video content and enable an increase in the amount of Self Directed Learning using online resources.

Conclusions – Implications for Community Learning and Development

The overall picture outlined above shows that West Lothian has experienced rapid change and development in recent years and much of this has been positive, despite the challenge of job losses and industrial restructuring. There are a number of challenges and opportunities which inform the development and actions within the Learning and Skills Framework:

■ Population growth and demographic change including an increasingly diverse community flags up the need to foster integration, support community cohesion and build community / organisational capacity. ■ The growth of some communities should not be allowed to mask the continuing need to tackle multiple deprivation and disadvantage. ■ Many young people and, indeed, the working age population in general are better qualified and educated. However the current and future labour market is such that individuals will need to change career and job on a more regular basis and demonstrate flexibility and adaptability through retraining and the acquisition of new skills as and when required. ■ The increase in mature/older people is likely to result in additional pressure on services, including care provision. However, a growing and active mature population

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also provides a pool of talent that can contribute to increased community capacity and social capital. ■ The vast majority of jobs at all levels require both basic skills (literacy and numeracy) and increasing levels of core competences. ■ Computing skills and connectivity are essential to accessing services, consumer choice, finding work and engaging with the welfare and job search system. ■ Enhanced broadband offers new opportunities for accessing online learning. ■ Improved linkages with, and between, locally based training and opportunity providers will contribute to increased skills and outcomes.

A “Demand and Supply Skills Mapping Report” prepared for West Lothian Economic Partnership in 2013 found that the skills employers believed would be required in the next year would be sector specific skills; management / leadership development; core skills; customer care; and personal / interpersonal relation management.

Figure 5: skills employers believed would be required in the next year

In summary, the key challenges are around the significant increase in the number of older people and how they can by supported to keep themselves active and healthy; continued support to school leavers who have not progressed to or sustained a positive outcome; up- skilling those with basic skills, and particularly those who have been out of the labour market for some time, to enhance their employability; and supporting access to jobs growth areas including health and social work, professional services and information technology. In addition, the growing incidence of in-work poverty provides a challenge to employers reducing costs rather than developing their employees.

Future West Lothian community learning and development provision will continue to focus on improving basic skills and addressing inequality (specifically linked to the anti-poverty strategy). West Lothian College will continue to deliver a wide range of vocational programmes. Youth organisations will continue to develop their current programmes.

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Life Stages

Life Stages (Early Years, School Age, Young People in Transition, Adults of Working Age and Older People) is a substantial, strategic programme of change led by West Lothian Council working across the Community Planning Partnership. The overall aim of the programme is to enable the Community Planning Partnership to plan and deliver more effective interventions to tackle social inequalities and build successful communities across West Lothian, using a Life Stage approach targeting deprived geographical areas.

This programme recognises that those who are most at risk (and generate the greatest expense in terms of demands on services) often lead complex lives, and hence focuses on redesigning services around the needs of the target group using a partnership approach. The approach allows the council and Community Planning Partnership to take preventative action to ensure that early intervention targets services where they are most needed and reduce demand of services downstream.

Life Stages is about being clear when people most need support, why they most need support, which people have the greatest need for support, and what support they most need. Partners spent a lot of time working together, talking to each other and communities and analysing data and information to determine a long-term outcome and target population for each Life Stage. There is an identified need for additional support with skills and learning for the target populations in each life stage to improve their life choices and chances.

Additional information on the Single Outcome Agreement and Life Stages model is available at: http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/3893/Single-Outcome-Agreement

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The Community Learning and Development Workforce

The Standards Council for Community Learning and Development for Scotland (CLD Standards Council) is the professional body for those working in community learning and development. They have identified competencies and indicators for Community Learning and Development workers who are expected to be both competent and critically reflective. The competencies identified are:

■ Know and understand the community in which we work. ■ Build and maintain relationships in a range of contexts. ■ Provide learning and development opportunities in a range of contexts. ■ Facilitate and promote community empowerment. ■ Organise and manage resources. ■ Develop and support collaborative working. ■ Evaluate and inform practice. ■ Resources.

Further information on these is available at: http://www.cldstandardscouncil.org.uk/the_competences/Competences_for_Community_ Learning_and_Development

Workforce development

To facilitate the desired outcomes the workforce, including volunteers, needs the appropriate skills. The Learning and Skills Operational Board recognises the important role it and its constituent organisations have in promoting and organising workforce development. This can take the form of continuing professional development opportunities that can either be specific to a partnership organisation, or can be offered to other partners, or bespoke joint continuing professional development identified to meet the needs of the Learning and Skills sub-group.

In parallel with the preparation of this framework there have been a series of creative conversations, locally linked with the Community Planning Partnership’s community engagement framework, facilitating the sharing of practice and knowledge development. The Learning and Skills Operational Board will continue to facilitate the sharing of workforce development information between members and plan for improvement through workforce development that will result in providers across the partnership developing skills that lead to better outcomes for service users. Future workforce development will build on existing strengths further to develop awareness, capacity and competencies within the Learning and Skills Operational Board. It will focus on continued improvement in the quality and performance of services to those with most need.

Workforce development needs will be identified and continuous improvement in practice will be supported through accredited and other learning eg creative conversations. As a result, the workforce involved in the field of community learning and development will have increased professional confidence, a stronger shared identity, and will work in an open, supportive and inclusive way with all stakeholders.

WestNational Lothian andand its Local partners Strategies appreciate the andimportance Plans of Consideredcontinuing to support the development of the skills and experience of the wider community leaning and development workforce. Staff are committed to continuing professional development in their 20quest | Page to provide the very best possible opportunities, outcomes and support for learners.

When constructing the Learning and Skills Development Plan (West Lothian Community Learning and Development Plan)

National Strategies ■ Achieving A Sustainable Future: Regeneration Strategy (2011) ■ Scotland’s ESOL Strategy 2015-2020 (2015) ■ Adult Learning in Scotland Statement of Ambition (2014) ■ Adult Literacies in Scotland 2020 (2010) ■ Career Information, Advice and Guidance in Scotland: Framework for Service Redesign and Improvement (2011) ■ Children and Young People (Scotland) Act (2014) ■ Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill (2014) ■ Curriculum for Excellence (2004 onwards) ■ Education Working For All! Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce (2014) ■ Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities (2008) ■ Getting it Right for Every Child (2010 onwards) ■ More Choices More Chances: A Strategy to Reduce the Proportion of Young People not in Education, Employment or Training in Scotland (2006) ■ National Youth Work Strategy: Our Ambitions for Improving the Life Chances of Young People in Scotland (2014) ■ National Parenting Strategy: Making a positive difference to children and young people through parenting (2012) ■ Opportunities for All: Supporting all young people to participate in post-16 learning, training or work (2012) ■ Putting Learners at the Centre: Delivering our Ambitions for Post-16 Education (2011) ■ Renewing Scotland’s Public Services: Priorities for Reform in Response to the Christie Commission (2011) ■ Reshaping Care for Older People: A Programme for Change 2011-2021 (2011) ■ Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities (2004)

West Lothian Strategies and Plans ■ Better Off - Anti-Poverty Strategy ■ Community Engagement Plan ■ Community Planning Partnership Single Outcome Agreement ■ Delivering Better Outcomes - WLC Corporate plan ■ Life Stages Outcomes ■ Regeneration Framework ■ West Lothian Economic Partnership Strategy and Action Plans

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