Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Employment and Skills Board (ESB) Supply Sub Group Digital Skills Discussion Date: Friday 3 May 2013 Time: 14.00 16:00 Venue: Room 2N:02, New County Hall, Truro Agenda 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Recap of discussions held on 6 March, 3 key themes: Digital inclusion Digital skills for business growth Digital approaches to learning 3. Moving forward links to draft Structural & Investment Fund Strategy and EU thematic objectives: Thematic objective 2: ICT Thematic objective 9: Social inclusion Thematic objective 10: Skills What activities do we need to consider locally to meet these objectives? 4. Next steps
Meeting Title: ESB Supply Sub Group Meeting Digital Discussion Date: 03 May 2013 Time: 1400 to 1600 Location: Chaired by: Attendees: 2N:02, NCH, Truro Lindsay Knuckey, Cornwall Development Company (LK) Tracey Burley, Career SW (TB) Richard Cotton, Cornwall College (RC) Andrea Gilbert, Inclusion Cornwall (AGt) Andrew Green, Cornwall Learning Partnership (AGn) Hannah Mitchell, Job Centre Plus (HM) Paul Lucock, Cornwall Council (PL) Jim Mason, Cornwall Council (JM) Dave Mathew, Truro and Penwith College (DM) Prof Phillip Moore, Falmouth University (PM) Gail Muchajer, Cornwall Council (GM) Mark Williams, Cornwall College (MW) Sarah Worne, Cornwall Council (SW) Apologies: Judith Hann, Kate McEwen Minutes 1. Welcome and Apologies Attendees introduced themselves and apologies noted above. LK welcomed members to the meeting and explained that the meeting had been convened to discuss the digital agenda for Cornwall. This followed the ESB SSB meeting held on 6 March which discussed three main themes; digital inclusion, digital skills for business growth, and digital approaches to learning. 2.1 Digital Inclusion Initial discussions were around number of future funding implications and how it will link with mainstream provision. It is vital to look at how to implement the funds and engage with superfast. Citizens Online have been appointed by JCP Devon & Cornwall to produce a delivery plan to support roll out of the digital by default agenda.
Members questioned where Cornwall is with skills levels within digital inclusion and whether data is available. Officers responded that there is a national target of 80% of JCP claims to be made online by Oct 12; skills levels are behind this target. There are two key questions, do people have the skills to access digital provision to apply for jobs and do people have the digital skills to work in the jobs. SSG members asked how library services fit in to digital inclusion. With reduced numbers of face to face services, the library are picking up those who need help with computer confidence and basic skills. A number of people don t have the confidence to go into a library to use computers and many would struggle with transport costs and other underlying issues. As Cornwall Council are upgrading its IT Systems, a programme could be put in place to refurbish old IT equipment, provide it to the community with cheap broadband and train members of public on staying safe online, etc. With lessening resources and increasing customer need. Each JCP works separately but over the next two years less support will be available in Cornwall. Resources are available between providers; these can be tailored to meet the needs of the client. Both colleges have the facilities and should work together to help address digital inclusion and a number of chunks of funding have been identified that could be used to support the agenda. There is a need for a mixed pot of funding to allow tailored provision for an individual learner, with specific outcomes for CIoS. Members requested data to define digital targets, including the number of learners in community to engage in training. Learners should be interviewed to identify the benefits the training. The data can then feed into the social inclusion strategy. The chair explained that the latest ONS statistics show that 20% of Cornish adult s people have never been online. A workshop event could be set up to discuss the big issue issues, LK to take forward. LK to set up Digital Inclusion Workshop session. Members commented on the need to teach transferable technical skills. MW responded that the skills agenda must become the digital skills agenda as a matter of course. GM continued that a digital skills report has been commissioned by the Council ESF TA team. GM to distribute Digital Skills report to the group. Page 2 of 5
Many people need the skills to use PC applications on PC as well as getting online and a number of young people use Facebook and social networking sites but are unable to structure a letter, whereas many older people need a breakdown of how to use the fundamental structures. The SSG made reference to the areas of growth opportunity in Cornwall. Software development and digital media are two areas which are thriving in Cornwall. Hardcore programme and coding skills are being taught in the county also. Members identified an issue that many people are not aware of the training courses available to them. Learners need something to aspire to. Computer science in schools is moving rapidly and many tutors look forward to taking this forward in the future. 2.2 Digital Skill for Business Growth Attendees highlighted the importance of mobile platforms in Cornwall and the need for digital skills for business growth. Cornwall should become a vibrant base with a high growth digital economy. Members made reference to digital apprenticeships in Cornwall and the focus on the impact of a business being digitally aware. Digitally aware businesses are often more successful than those who don t engage. There is a need for apprentices in software development in Cornwall. The chair explained the need for the priorities to link to the LEP Thematic objectives, focusing on; take up, high level skills and leadership. A small amount of provision is available for training for businesses. HM recommended using the Chamber of Commerce Business Fair to promote IT Training. GM explained that the Digital Skills report shows that there is no skills register for businesses to show what training is available or has been taken up and by whom. SSG members highlighted that the Chamber of Commerce has opened out to reach other members, including small businesses who don t engage. Within the Skills Support for the Workforce funding, capacity building will be a focus. GM made reference to the ESB Demand Driver group which is looking at mechanisms to engage and consult business, including those businesses that aren t usually targeted. Businesses should be proactive and get involved. Themed business events could be held focussing on; Video Production, Social Networking, etc. Page 3 of 5
SSG members suggested that two groups should be setup to look at specialist subjects and business support, also to look at what can be done under existing funds. If funds are available a subsided training programme should be developed to introduce small and independent businesses to digital business skills. Members agreed that subsidised sessions could be an option and recommended that Cornwall College and Truro and Penwith College should put an offer together to assist businesses in Cornwall. 2.3. Digital Approaches to Learning The group made reference to the large number of online resources available for almost any course, subject and at most levels. Jobs in social media didn t exist five years ago meaning that the market is rapidly changing and Cornwall must stay ahead of the progress. Members raised the issue that delivering learning to the Scillies via video link has been trialled in the past but wasn t successful. DM asked if the DWP have a strategy for targeting those who aren t digitally included. HM responded that a flexible support fund is available and work has been taking place with Citizens online to address the issue. All JCP s have a computer which can be booked out in sessions and Council One Stop Shops can be used by members of the public. The SSG suggested using community groups and networks to distribute information about getting online and to maximise inclusion within communities. 3. Moving Forward Links to Draft Structural Investment Fund Strategy and EU Thematic Objectives There is a need to look at how the next EU funding programme is structured and ensure that the main outcomes aren t to just deliver level 1 and level 2 qualifications. Members continued that discussions have identified that level 1 and 2 s will be funded whilst level 3 and 4 s will work on a funded loan basis. Linkages must be made between ESF and ERDF funds to ensure a cohesive programme for skills funding can be developed. The group commented that a number of self employed people in Cornwall and SME s don t have time to engage due to work commitments. These hard to reach businesses should be included in the digital agenda. LK confirmed that action steps need to be agreed to look at feeding into next programme. Members recommended that the areas of delivery should be agreed and freedoms and flexibilities fed into the LEP prospectus. TB continued that the career service can be used to look at gaps in the market. Page 4 of 5
7. Any other business No Other Business was identified. Meeting finished at 1600. 8. Date of next meeting TBC s Summary: LK to set up Digital Inclusion Workshop session. GM to distribute Digital Skills report to the group. MW / DM to consider subsidised digital training sessions for SME s. V3 24 October 13 Paul Lucock Cornwall Council Page 5 of 5