Summer 2015 E-Bulletin

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1 Summer 2015 E-Bulletin Inside this edition Staff Update 1 RLP Steering Group 2 Regional Delivery Plan 3 A Focus on Regional Frameworks Strategic Employer Reference Group Update Youth Employment and Attainment Regional ESF Stakeholder Event Welcome to the Summer Edition of the RLP s E-Bulletin It has been a busy and exciting summer at the RLP. The bulletin will provide a brief update on the work of the RLP, events and partner news. RLSO Training Colleges Recognised for Best Practice 9 10 Stay in touch Find us on Facebook: RLPSWCW Follow us on

2 Staff Update Thank You and Goodbye Event. Diane Harrott, a key member of the Regional Learning Partnership team has taken up a new role in Carmarthenshire County Council. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the hard work and dedication she has demonstrated over the past 3 years. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and wider partners that she has supported. As part of her role within the RLP, Diane facilitated the Adult Community Learning sub-group that has had many success stories including Get the Message the importance of adult community learning Welcome The RLP would like to welcome Eurion Jones-Williams who will be working on the Bwrw Mlaen project, to promote bilingualism and the use of Welsh language to employers within Carmarthenshire. The RLP s Adult Community Learning Welsh Language group (made up of representatives from Higher & Further Education, Local Authorities, Welsh for Adults and Third Sector organisations) was awarded the grant by the Welsh Government in March The funding will be used to develop an innovative pack of resources to increase the number of employers who access Welsh medium and bilingual qualifications and courses for their staff. Eurion is based with the Education Department of Carmarthenshire County Council and is working closely with the RLP team. He is a fluent Welsh speaker and has gained a degree in Economics and a Masters degree in Welsh Politics and Society, both from Aberystwyth University. For more information on the Bwrw Mlaen Project, contact Eurion Jones-Williams at DEPJones-williams@carmarthenshire.gov.uk Page 1

3 Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair of the RLP Steering Group The RLP is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Jones, Principle of Gower College Swansea as the new Chairperson of its Steering Group and of Jill Burgess representing the South Wales Chamber of Commerce as Vice Chairperson. Mark has been Principal of Gower College Swansea since May 2013, having previously been Vice Principal of one of the two former "legacy" colleges, Swansea College from July 2002 to May In the interim 8 years, Mark was Principal of Bridgend College which during that time, was recognised as being "one of the top 100 places to work in the public sector in the UK". Mark is both a qualified teacher and a qualified chartered accountant. Prior to specialising in education, Mark worked in both public practice and industry. In Swansea, Mark is a member of a wide range of committees, including the Swansea Local Service Board, the Swansea Learning Partnership and the Swansea Economic Regeneration Partnership. He currently chairs the Swansea Skills Group and the Swansea Strategic Adult Community Learning Partnership. Mark was appointed as the Chair of Colegau Cymru - the association representing all the FE colleges and institutions in Wales. Jill Burgess is an award-winning businesswoman and international travel expert. Now retired, she is an advisory member of several key organisations in the Swansea Bay area, including a lay member of Swansea University Council, Court of the University, Standards Committee for the City and County of Swansea, Council for the Royal Institute of South Wales and Super Lay Member for the Wales Research Medical Ethics Committee. She currently chairs the steering group of the Universities Employability Academy, and Vice-Chairperson of the Gower Society. Jill started her career in travel and tourism in 1972 when she gained professional entry into the Institute of Travel and Tourism. In 1991 she was Area Manager for American Express Europe Ltd. When American Express withdrew from the region Jill started her own business Burgess World Travel, a multi million pound business comprising, worldwide tour organising, corporate and retail travel, foreign exchange and financial services. Three years later Jill accepted the appointment by American Express to become their area representative, to cater for their card member client base needs and she then went on to accept an invitation by American Express to represent their UK network on their World Wide Advisory Board based in New York. Whilst serving her 10 year period on the Board Jill was instrumental in the development of the World Wide Customer Care brand which still remains a core element in American Express s worldwide care programme. Page 2

4 Regional Delivery Plan for Employment & Skills for South West & Central Wales The Plan The fourth version of the Regional Delivery Plan for Employment & Skills for South West & Central Wales was submitted to the Welsh Government on 31st March and is now available on the RLP website. Following an internal and external assessment process, the Welsh Government has provided feedback on all plans submitted by the three regional skills partnerships. Demand & Supply Assessments The Welsh Government has requested that each regional skills partnership develops Demand & Supply Assessments to support the implementation of the Regional Delivery Plans. Draft guidance has been provided by the Welsh Government with a deadline of 30 th September The Welsh Government s Skills Implementation Plan set out a key role for regional skills partnerships in providing a mechanism to advise Welsh Government on future regional prioritisation of skills funding in line with employment and skills needs. The Demand & Supply Assessment for each region is the mechanism for partnerships to provide this evidence base to the Welsh Government. It also offers an opportunity to influence the prioritisation of funding in key areas. The focus for the first year of Demand / Supply Assessments will be; Work Based Learning Allocations Apprenticeships and Further Education Deployment of Funds (post 16). The Assessments will focus on 3-4 key priorities to influence Apprenticeship allocation and Further Education deployment of funds. Welsh Government will then feedback to the regional skills partnerships by July 2016 on how funding allocations have been influenced as a result of the Demand & Supply Assessment process as well as ways in which the process being piloted for the allocations can be improved for future years. A Task & Finish Group will be established comprising of representation from the region s Further Education Institutions and Work Based Learning Contract Holders. The group will be responsible for leading this piece of work and will be chaired by Sharron Lusher (Principle of Pembrokeshire College) and the vice chair role will be undertaken by Arwyn Watkins (Cambrian Training). The assessment will be split into two to reflect the geographies of Growing Mid Wales and the Swansea Bay City Region Board. Please visit the RLP website for regular updates on progress and developments Page 3

5 What is a Regional Framework? Four frameworks have been developed by the Regional Learning Partnership to establish a co-ordinated approach, reduce project duplication and establish referral mechanisms. Each framework is a strategic approach to addressing a particular theme or cohort of participants under which a number of national, regional and local projects will sit. The framework is not in itself a funding bid however, it is anticipated that a number of projects informed by the framework approach will be submitted by lead organisations to external funding bodies, including WEFO. Activities proposed in funding bids could include a combination of services delivered directly by or procured by lead organisations from partners and local providers involved in the overarching framework. To avoid duplication and identify gaps in activity, projects being delivered by national organisations e.g. Welsh Government are included in the frameworks. As external funding bids are approved, the frameworks can be used in future as a tool to identify emerging demand, existing provision and skills gaps. The four Regional Frameworks are detailed below. Regional Young People s Framework Overview This framework will include a number of national, regional and local projects that will target the year old cohort. The aim of this framework will be to ensure that young people gain the appropriate support to achieve the skills and qualifications required to enter sustained employment in the region. This will include the establishment of a person centred engagement, progression and referral process to both internal and external partners. Current Position A briefing event was facilitated by the Regional Learning Partnership, with the aim to inform stakeholders of proposed regional and national projects seeking European Funding support and to identify potential opportunities for procurement and 3 rd party delivery. The Youth Employment and Attainment Regional ESF stakeholder Event was held at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli on July 9 th, where over 70 delegates from across the region attended. Two regional bids continue to be developed, Cynydd and Cam Nesa, both being led by Pembrokeshire County Council. WEFO has highlighted that with limited funds available, there is a need for regional and national coordination with a focus on avoiding duplication of delivery within the region and ensuring that activities deliver measureable change to specific client groups. Next Steps The Regional Young People s Framework Group will be established in September. Stakeholders who have engaged with the process and those who attended the Youth Employment and Attainment Regional ESF stakeholder Event will help Page 4

6 What is a Regional Framework? shape the establishment of the framework that will be responsive to local demand, demonstrate progression routes and ensure that young people in the region gain the appropriate support to achieve the skills and qualifications required to enter employment. Terms of Reference will be drafted and agreed to support implementation of the framework. The role of this group will be to report on project progress, ensure effective referral mechanisms, and provide intelligence on where changes are required and to action these appropriately. Regional Adult Employability Framework Overview This framework will include a number of national, regional and local projects which target those who are furthest removed from the labour market and hardest to help, to ensure that they are work ready. The approach includes engaging with these cohorts to address multiple barriers to employment including basic and employability skills. Current Position The initial aim of the framework group was to develop a single regional bid to submit as joint beneficiaries. The group has developed a regional framework that encompasses the range of delivery offered by group members, national and local provision. Delivery includes engagement; not work-ready and work-ready activities deemed relevant to addressing the needs of hardest to help client groups, either delivered directly by or procured from partners. As a result of the RLP process, regional partners have decided to develop a joint proposal with Workways+. The Adult Employability Framework group has continued to develop and strengthen relationships with other relevant national, regional and local provision. Effective working relationships developed in the region with partners have ensured the specific aims, objectives, cohorts and geographies of each programme are clearly understood by all. Next Steps The RLP Team to continue facilitation of meetings with all joint beneficiaries involved in developing the regional bid and the wider framework group in order to ensure development of sufficient and appropriate client centred delivery. The RLP Team to continue dialogue with national, local and other regional provision to ensure effective referral processes between projects is continued and duplication is identified and avoided. Workways+ have submitted the first six stages of business plan and currently working on the next three stages. The RLP Team is assisting with details and statistics required for the Workways+ business plan to cover the convergence areas of the region and in due course, the business plan for provision in Powys. Page 5

7 What is a Regional Framework? Regional Skills for Growth Framework Overview This framework will include a number of national, regional and local projects to upskill the workforce, targeting those who are in work. The framework will also ensure a co-ordinated response to emerging employer skills needs, major developments and demand drivers. Current Position A regional framework has been developed that encompasses the range of delivery offered by group members, illustrating the various entry and qualification levels and progression routes. As national projects relevant to the framework are being approved, they will be added to the framework and are being invited to the group in order to identify synergies and avoid duplication. Next Steps Targets, monitoring and evaluation process to be completed. Regional Entrepreneurship Framework Overview A framework group has now been established with the aim of developing skills in south west & central Wales that will have an impact on the regional economy. This will be achieved by facilitating, building support and encouraging the delivery by others of learning opportunities that will lead to an entrepreneurial, innovative and interactive economy. Current Position A Task and Finish Group has been established to align and develop a regional position statement to prepare for external funding opportunities. The following priority areas have been agreed: start-ups; embedding entrepreneurship in the curriculum; employers and the world of work; and business growth. Work is underway to build on engagement mechanisms with the education sector and the private sector. Next Steps A position statement is being developed outlining the priorities of the region in this area. Page 6

8 Strategic Employer Reference Group (SERG) Update The Group last met in May 2015 and discussions included employability issues facing employers, the Demand & Supply Assessments and Further Education Funding cuts. A Vice Chairperson has now been appointed Huw Mathias, MA Ed, MInstLM, Learning & Development Manager, Tata Steel Europe. Huw has 12-years' experience within the Steel Industry and currently has line management responsibility for 10 direct reports, 16 indirect reports and 155 Apprentices & Higher Apprentices. For many years, he has managed people and projects whilst working for Tata Steel, Sony, private training providers, Further / Higher Education Colleges and several public and private sector organisations, including the Probation Service, NHS, Bosch, ECITB and across a range of sectors, including Engineering, Manufacturing, Research & Design, Financial Services and Procurement. The next meeting will be held on 3 rd September and the focus will be on the Demand & Supply Assessments. The group will provide a strategic steer to ensure that the recommendations to the Welsh Government reflect employers viewpoints and needs. Page 7

9 Youth Employment and Attainment Regional ESF Stakeholder Event Over 70 delegates from across the region attended the half day informative event hosted by the Regional Learning Partnership. The Youth Employment and Attainment Regional ESF stakeholder Event was held at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli on July 9 th. The event s key aims were to inform stakeholders of proposed regional and national projects currently seeking European Funding support, the opportunities for 3 rd party delivery and to identify gaps in provision. The event bought together a range of projects that are currently in development both regional and national to share key information and objectives. Summaries were provided from; Cynnydd, Cam Nesa, Activate your Potential, Together for a Healthy Working Wales, Traineeships, Jobs Growth Wales ll, Communities 4 Work, PaCE, Active Inclusion Wales, Go Wales Student Employability Project, Enterprise, and Raising Skills and Aspiration amongst BME Young People. There was an opportunity for delegates and project leads to network over lunch, which resulted in positive engagement and movement towards a collaborative approach to skills delivery in the region. The stakeholders who attended the event will be party to and help shape the establishment of a Regional Young People s Framework that will be responsive to local demand, demonstrates progression routes and ensures that young people in the region gain the appropriate support to achieve the skills and qualifications required to enter employment. Attendees described the occasion as a Good networking event and information gathering opportunity, Informative, interesting and well run event with good updates and Great insights about what services are available within the region. For all presentations and briefing notes from the event click here. Page 8

10 RLSO does More for Welsh Baccalaureate Students Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) and its use is being recognised as a key enabler in the creation of a prosperous economy and fit for purpose workforce. More specifically LMI is often cited as key to providing high quality careers information to young people. accessible and interesting. The last three months has seen members of the RLP team working closely with colleagues from Careers Wales to develop online training resources, with the aim of making Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) The innovative training resources have been developed with the needs of careers advisers and teachers in mind, although not limited to this audience solely. Under the newly created Learn More page on the Regional Learning and Skills Observatory (RLSO) users will have access to free downloadable Beginners and Advanced Workbooks which are inclusive of amendable quiz and task templates. To accompany the workbooks users also have access to PowerPoint presentations which can be delivered and amended. By academic year 16/17 the Welsh Baccalaureate will become compulsory in all schools across Wales, with its focus centred on skills and employability. As a result Careers Wales have identified the RLSO as being a perfect tool to support learners with the completion of elements of the Enterprise and Employability challenge. To showcase the new Learn More feature the RLP along with Careers Wales have been delivering interactive and informative training sessions across the region to over 150 Welsh Baccalaureate co-ordinators. The sessions were tailored to provide the coordinators with the skills and knowledge on the RLSO s functions and features, which will then be disseminated through learning to the pupils. Eleri Jenkins, Careers & World of Work Co-ordinator, Careers Wales considers that The RLSO is an invaluable resource for schools and colleges. The new Learn More section on the website is an excellent resource for professionals to introduce learners to Labour Market Information. To view the Learn More section click here. Page 9

11 Colleges Recognised for Best Practice Top performing colleges and learners were recognised at Colegau Cymru s annual awards ceremony at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Colleges from all over Wales came together to showcase the best of college practices. Congratulations to Coleg Sir Gar who received an award for its use of Technology to drive improvements that in the future will benefit the learner. The Regional Learning Partnership in collaboration with Coleg Sir Gar has developed a bespoke portal that supports flexible online delivery of CPD for five colleges and two universities in the region. The RLP Virtual College, officially launched this year was created by the RLP Shared Staff Development project. The portal aims to increase organisational efficiency, enable the wider use of technology among all staff enabling them to embrace technology to support learner involvement and improve the student experience. The rlp.virtualcollege.ac.uk website offers over 80 professional and personal development courses which focus on the need to up skill staff to improve curriculum development and delivery through the innovative use of technology. The portal provides flexible start dates with support from qualified tutors throughout the duration of the course. The RLP would also like to congratulate our partners Pembrokeshire College who accepted the award for Promoting Equality and Social Inclusion. Over the last 18 months Pembrokeshire College has developed its use of tutorials, reviewed its learning Support Strategy and appointed Skills Support Advisors. Page 10