Agenda item - STEVENAGE WORKS SKILLS FRAMEWORK - UNLOCKING JOBS, SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL PEOPLE

To consider a consolidation of the ongoing work around skills development into a skills framework approach involving key sectors in the town, building several tangible actions to help further support the work that is underway, and co-ordinating key internal resources to further aid delivery.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the consolidation of the ongoing work around skills development into a skills framework approach involving key sectors in the town, building several tangible actions to help further support the work that was underway, and co-ordinating key internal resources to further aid delivery.

The Executive was supportive of the Stevenage Works Skills Framework, and thanked the Portfolio Holder for Co-operative Council & Neighbourhood Communities, officers and Adrian Hawkins for driving forward the Skills agenda for the Council and the town.

It was RESOLVED:

1. That the proposed ’Stevenage Works Skills Framework’ be approved for implementation and publication.

2. That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director (TP), having consulted with the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Communities, Co-operative Councils & Young People and the Leader of the Council, to make any final changes to the Skills Framework and to oversee the continued development of the associated ‘Stevenage Works Skills Framework Action Plan’.

3. That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director (TP), having consulted with the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Communities, Co-operative Councils & Young People and the Leader of the Council, to make any structural or other organisational changes which may be necessary to support the implementation of the ’Stevenage Works Skills Framework’.

Reason for Decision: As contained in report.

Other Options considered: As contained in report.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the consolidation of the ongoing work around skills development into a skills framework approach involving key sectors in the town, building several tangible actions to help further support the work that was underway, and co-ordinating key internal resources to further aid delivery.

The Leader introduced the report by stating that he was deeply committed to providing opportunities for the people of Stevenage. This included ensuring that young people could access the fantastic employment opportunities on their doorstep. These opportunities would also apply to disadvantaged and disabled groups.

The Leader advised that the Skills Framework had been developed jointly with Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. The Council had made great strides in putting skills at the heart of its regeneration programme. The Stevenage Works Programme had already made an excellent impact, engaging over 500 young people to explore construction careers, raising £50,000 for local community activities, helping 150 people into jobs in the sector, together with work with North Herts College and Job Centre Plus.

The Leader stated that Stevenage was home to the third largest Cell and gene cluster in the world and also to a strong and growing Space and Defence cluster. Stevenage was also home to vital public services, such as the NHS, Borough Council services, and the County Council HQ soon to be based in the town.

The Leader explained that so far SBC had attracted £2.7Million funding to help the community access skills and jobs, including the exciting Mission 44 project. SBC had also been asked to pilot a project to help support 150 people with disabilities to develop new skills or access work or to be supported to remain in work.

The Leader commented that the Framework was a draft document, and the Environment & Economy Select Committee would be considering it in more detail. The views of the Stevenage Development Board was also be sought on the document.

The Portfolio Holder for Co-operative Council and Neighbourhood Communities advised that she was deeply invested in the journey towards enhancing the lives of residents, which was exactly what the Framework was about. It was her mission was to ensure that work reached those who needed it the most. Stevenage offered careers for individuals to become rocket scientists, defence specialists, doctors, nurses, genetics scientists, engineers and much more.

The Portfolio Holder for Co-operative Council and Neighbourhood Communities stated that it was important that residents were equipped to make the most of these diverse and high value roles. She had seen some of the work undertaken so far, and she had attended the Mission 44 launch event at Airbus. Seeing young people so committed to developing their future was encouraging. The joint work with partners on the Framework, and highlighted Stevenage as an exemplar not only throughout Hertfordshire, but regionally and nationally.

The Leader invited Adrian Hawkins (Chair of Stevenage Development Board) to address the Executive. Adrian advised that the skills agenda was very close to his heart, having been a school governor and involved in various organisations responsible for skills. He was delighted that the Town Investment Fund provided a narrative for developing the skills agenda in Stevenage, in order to match the needs of local businesses with the skills required by local people to fulfil those needs.

Adrian stated that 8 years ago the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership supported the development of the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst and thereafter the Cell and Gene Catapult. Both of those organisations had led to international businesses wishing to set up within Stevenage. This presented a huge opportunity for the town, as 7,500 to 10,000 jobs would be arriving over the next 3 to 4 years, and the skills agenda had to be developed and prepared to support this opportunity.

Adrian commented that the engagement between business and the education sector was a crucial aspect in identifying the skills required for different types of employment. The Stevenage Development Board had brought a number of local employers together and they had re-iterated that they wanted to employ more local people to work in their businesses. Additionally, North Herts College had commenced development of SITEC (Stevenage Innovation & Technology Centre), with Phase 1 focussing on Life Sciences, and subsequent phases including areas such as engineering, electronics and sustainability.

Adrian stated that he was delighted to work with an organisation such as SBC who were so keen to progress the regeneration of Stevenage work, not just in buildings, but in the people who occupy them and contribute to the economy of the town.

The Co-operative Neighbourhoods Programme Manager gave a short presentation on the Stevenage Works Skills Framework, highlighting the opportunities, ambitions and challenges, together with the response of stakeholders in building on the once in a generation regeneration activities to establish Stevenage as a centre of excellence in skills.