Youth Employment and Training Initiatives meeting (YETI)
Minutes and Actions
Stevenage & North Herts
Thursday 18th June 2015
10am – 12noon
Present Claire Feenan YCXs Emma Clarke YCXs Harvy Kundi Solveway Matt Harvey EYS Annie Ferrari JCP Ola Oluwule JCP Marj Shanahan JCP [email protected] Rosie Connor JLT Jackie Eyles Haydon Training Anna Morrison B&HPN [email protected] Jas Bhandal NHC
Apologies Hannah Fehr HIT Training
Did not Cindy Deacon UKTD attend or Janet Morrison JCP send apologies
Item Minutes and Actions Who/when
1 Minutes of the last meeting (26 Feb 2015)
What’s coming up: Look into circulation of provision from the Marj Jobcentre Plus DPT (District provision Tool) Annie updated that this cannot be circulated outside of the JCP
Justin Hessing offered to support the current Work Experience Dawn Minnitt candidate in Letchworth JCP with a placement at Solveway doing web design. Conversation to be had with Work Coach. Annie discussed the needs of the learner (Tom) in more detail and Harvy (Solveway) confirmed that he will take it back to Solveway to discuss
Corrin suggested she may have an opportunity with ASA for admin Corrin Burdis WE and will investigate and let the JCP know. AM to follow up with Corrin regarding this action and ask Corrin to contact Annie directly. Annie suggested this could also be linked to NHC.
Page 1 of 6 Apprenticeship Week 2015 Anna updated that Apprenticeship Week 2016 was a huge success. It is likely (although unconfirmed as yet) that the 7th March – 11th March 2016. Still to be confirmed.
2 JCP and Youth Connexions NEET data
18-24 out of work is now at its lowest since 2009. Across the county there has been a huge reduction. The employer advisor had a quick look at job opportunities in Stevenage, there are currently 70,000 vacancies on Universal Job Match.
KnowHow are moving into Stevenage in August 2015 and they are recruiting to a variety of vacancies in warehouse, drivers, admin, gas fitters etc. As an idea of salary, the Drivers Mate vacancies start at £23k
In terms of entry requirements, they are really looking for the right attitude, a willingness for shift work and able to work in active roles. If anyone has individuals who would be interested in these vacancies who are not claiming benefits, direct them to the JCP in Stevenage as Know How are in the office on a daily basis carrying out interviews. Action: If anyone knows of anyone suitable for Know How – please send them via the JCP Stevenage office Action: Youth Connexions to send out a text to clients to direct them through Stevenage Jobcentre for Know How.
For Stevenage, there are 210 x 18-24 year olds claiming JSA. Compared too this time last year, there were 370.
For North Herts, there are approx. 85 x 18-24 year olds claiming JSA.
Youth Connexions updated that 16-18 available NEETs in North Herts are 77. Although NEET rates are reducing, not at the same rate as other areas in Hertfordshire Key information: - There are more male than female - Numbers are fairly even between Hitchin (Oughton and Walsworth) and Letchworth (The Grange, Wilbury) - There are 37 19 year olds – mainly not claiming JSA so they won’t be on the JCP books - Building, Warehouse, Care and Retail are the highest recorded areas of interest (also for the 19+ group, quite a few are saying catering)
16-18 available NEETs in Stevenage are 70. Key information: - There are very few 16 year olds unemployed for 6 months+ - There are more 18 and 19 year olds who have been unemployed for 6 months+ - Wards with the highest numbers of NEETs are Bedwell followed by Chells, Shephall and St Nicholas. - Practical Skills is the highest area of interest along with warehouse, carpet fitting, window glazing and catering - The number of Lost Contacts have gone up a little bit
Annie added that JCP are working with a company who have set up
Page 2 of 6 silver service catering and recruiting large volumes of staff. Action: If anyone knows of anyone suitable for Silver Service – please send them via the JCP Stevenage office Action: Youth Connexions to send out a text to clients to direct them through Stevenage Jobcentre for Silver Service.
We discussed that the number of hospitality vacancies locally and the shortage of individuals who are trained to move into these roles.
3 Universal Credit – JCP update
Annie offered a Universal Credit overview presentation that can be sent out with the minutes Action: Annie to send presentation to Anna Action: AM to attach to the minutes
Universal Credit has been rolling out nationally. With regards to Bedfordshire and Hertdshire North Herts and Stevenage will roll out in the last tranche in January 2016.
Replaces 6 key benefits: - Job seekers allowance - Income Support - Employment and Support Allowance - Child tax benefit - Working tax benefit - Housing benefit
1 payment will be made, per household, monthly. To begin with, JCP will transfer single people with no dependents. In the future, it will role out to couples and those with children.
Claims will be made online, claimants will visit the JCP office to sign a claimant commitment. The expectation will be that individuals search for work on a full time basis.
Q. Will anyone get weekly payments? A. No
Q. How will claimants manage their money? A. 13 weeks before roll-out, an intensive package of support will be put in place through the Local Authority, including budgeting support so it shouldn’t be a shock to them. Based on Bedford stats, only around 5% of claimants have needed support.
JCP recognise that not everyone will be able to have monthly payments. In these cases, Alternative Payment Arrangements (APA) are in place. For example, payments direct to landlords, split payments for partners where one partner has an addiction problem etc.
If there is a problem with housing, no claimant can get into more than 2 months in arrears without the system picking it up.
The 16 hour rule goes out of the window with Universal Credit. If someone takes part time work, their Universal Credit will decrease whilst their earnings increase. The new UC system will talk directly to the HMRC system so whatever is earned will be automatically re-
Page 3 of 6 calculated by HMRC. This means individuals will not be penalised or have their benefits stopped completely if they take on work – but re-adjustments will be made.
Action: Annie to send example scale of benefits to Anna Action: AM to attach to the minutes
When somebody claims for UC, the expectation is that the claim will be processed online, however, this won’t be possible for all so they will also be supported by JCP.
The claim is usually a calendar month + 7 days (almost 40 days) they will also be given the option of an advance payment – but they must request this within 2 weeks of their claim. This will then be deducted from future UC payments over a 6 month period.
It is proving really popular with employers in the areas where it has gone live as it gives greater opportunity to give extra shifts and to earn more.
Q. If someone is on one of the 6 benefits, can they ask to be put on UC sooner? A. No. The only option would be for them to sign off and sign on again – but this would only be for single people without dependents.
Q. Will it benefit those on apprenticeships? For example where an employer a lower salary. A. Yes, apparently it will act as a top up
Q. What is happening with 18-21 year olds? A. JCP haven’t had anything new through
Q. In terms of 16/17 year olds who appear estranged from parents (they would have received Income Support) A. In time, Income Support will go – we’re not sure what will happen Action: Annie to find out
There are also changes in the JCP staffing arrangements. There are no longer 18-24 specialist work coaches, the work coaches will now have mixed caseloads.
Q. Are there any planned JCP events for this area? A. There was an event in March and there was a jobs fair recently. There is possibly going to be a career / jobs fair in July covering Stevenage. The top floor of JCP in Letchworth has also now been converted and is an open space suitable for events. Action: Annie to send invites out to this group
Rosie explained that John Laing have quite a few school events coming up in the next few weeks, particularly for year 12s.
4 Gaps in Provision
Anna explained the purpose of the Gaps in Provision sheet and how it will be used for future planning of provision.
Construction / Practical Skills
Gas fitting There is a provider who was based in Watford, who have now set
Page 4 of 6 up in Stevenage. They run a 15 week training programme that gives the candidates all of the gas safety certificates that they need. Only requirements are that they are aged 18+ The company is called BarrettBell Action: Annie to send contact details
Welding There is also another provider called Weld Premier Training who have set up a training school. To date, he has only worked with full cost clients. He is looking at a 6 week course which will train people in welding and include a guaranteed interview with local employers at the end of the course. EYS are potentially looking to subcontract through SFA funding. www.weldpremiertraining.co.uk
Warehouse and Forklift
Forklift truck EYS are looking to set up a forklift truck training facility in Stevenage.
Ixion Holdings are going to be running a course a Building Futures course in Stevenage at the end of July. This is 18+ also.
Behaviour / attitude adjustment
There have been two Eureka courses running (this is training that is quite psychologically based). 1 funded via NHC and another funded through Flexible Support Fund. The job outcome rates have not been as high as expected.
Some improvement in this gap as there are now Traineeship programmes picking up some of this. Probably still more that is needed.
Remaining gaps Construction: There are still gaps from the Connexions point of view, for 16-19 year olds who do not want to access the Skills Centre full time, or who have already accessed the Skills Centre. Warehouse and Forklift: Although there is some new provision opening up, there is a concern that this is an ongoing area of interest
AM explained that Adult Skills Budget funding is decreasing, Flexible Support Funding is decreasing, EFA provision is expected to move towards full time provision, but…..Apprenticeships and Traineeships are growth areas of funding.
For the future meeting – we need a focus on Traineeships and how this could be used to meet the needs of the remaining NEETs. These programmes can also be incentivised, can cover both age groups and also includes work experience. Action: Add to agenda for the next meeting
There was a discussion about pre-16 funding and whether providers can support. Currently this is only supported by schools paying for this provision, there is no additional funding.
Claire suggested that Youth Connexions could put all of the home-
Page 5 of 6 educated students on one PAs caseload to try and identify patterns and trends (and links to providers) Action: Claire to take this idea forward through the district so that they on are on one person’s caseload
AM added in the future (probably January 2016 onwards) there will be ESF funding for 15 year old at risk of becoming NEET.
5 Summer Activities 2015
There are two National Citizenship Service programme running via Youth Connexions.
EYS are roll on/ roll off throughout the summer. They are also running short courses for individuals to top up their Maths and English.
JCP may have a job fair event in July
6 Review of 2015
Actions to follow up:
Action: Claire and Emma to follow up with John McBride if he made contact with JLT and if so, to contact Rosie as Laura is leaving
Action: Claire to ask Hazel to include Anna Morrison to spreadsheet circulation list
Action: Annie updated that they have been working with car dealers regarding work experience. Matt suggested Ken Brown motors. Anna suggested looking at where we have got apprenticeships advertised and possibly linking through Traineeships.
AOB Any other business
John Laing Training are now delivering AAT apprenticeships from their head office in Welwyn Garden City. They are also offering evening courses.
Plans for the next meeting:
Date Thursday 5th November
Time 10:00am to 12:00pm
Venue EYS (pencilled in – Matt to check the lease) Above Farm Foods (across the road from Bowes Lyon)
Chair Matt Harvey
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