Issue - meetings

To consider a proposed apprenticeship programme (report of the Executive Manager -  People and Public Protection is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Governance and Customer and the Executive Manager – People and Public Protection which presented a proposed Apprenticeship Programme.

Councillors considered and agreed the programme.

DECISION:

That the Apprenticeship Programme, as described in the report, be approved.

To present the proposal of an Apprenticeship Programme (report of the Executive Manager People and Public Protection)

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Manager People and Public Protection which presented proposals for an Apprenticeship Programme.

A new Apprenticeship Levy was implemented by the Government from April 2017, with the aim of funding three million start up apprenticeships in the UK by 2020.  The Government had committed to boosting productivity by investing in people and there was a pledge to develop vocational skills and to increase the quantity and quality of apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships would now offer much more flexibility, and the proposal was to offer three routes into an apprenticeship scheme – a Business Apprenticeship Scheme, a Specialist Apprenticeship, and a Talent Apprenticeship. 

The following issues were raised:

·         The introduction of an apprenticeship scheme within the Authority was an area that Councillor J McLean had previously raised an interest in, and it was agreed that officers would involve him in the way forward.

·         Members asked whether any apprenticeships within the Authority had yet been identified and were advised that there had been interest from a range of services. 

AGREED:

That the Apprenticeship Programme, as described in the report and appendix, be recommended to full Council for approval.