Agenda item
Quarter 1 Performance Report ( 2018/19) - Employment & Skills
Minutes:
The Committee considered the Q1 Performance
Report.
·
Members were informed that the number of residents supported back
into work is above target compared with last year. To minimise
duplication, partners now share details of their local offer,
consult with the partnership when changing or adapting delivery,
share data on their outcomes, and work collectively to identify and
address gaps.
·
The Council recognises the essence of supporting parents into work
as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty, particularly in light
of the very high levels of child poverty that is related to parents
on out-of-work benefits. Members were advised that although the
Council, with 119 outcomes, has exceeded the profiled target for
quarter 1, council services and partners aim to support at least
425 parents into employment this year.
·
iWork continues to trial different
models of outreach so that support is effectively targeted at the
economically inactive residents, including parents who don’t
claim unemployment benefit, under 25s, and residents on disability
benefits.
·
It continues to be a challenge to engage unemployed young adults
aged 18-25, but council services and partners will continue in the
council’s aim to support at least 360 young people into
employment during the year. The meeting was informed that Network
Aspire, in conjunction with employers such as Nando’s and Caffe
Nero, provides hospitality masterclasses to address this
situation.
·
In relation to issues around the night-time economy, the Executive
Member for Economic Development acknowledged that this had not been
looked into but that it would be an area of interest in the future.
Members were advised that the Council will continue to encourage
employers to introduce the London Living Wage, and increase the
skill of its residents to prepare them for better-paid
jobs.
·
In response to a request for comparison data about the increasing
number of apprentices that had moved into further employment or
training, the Executive Member for Economic Development indicated
that it would be circulated. In addition, the Director Employment,
Skills and Culture informed the meeting that a progress report on
the Apprentice strategy, which highlights the progress in, and
challenges of, retaining apprentices, would be brought to Committee
for consideration.
·
Members were informed that the Council continues to embed social
value in its council commissioning/procurement exercises by
creating apprenticeships and entry-level jobs with its suppliers
for local residents. Members were informed that a Task and Finish
Group, headed by the Corporate Director Housing and Adult Services,
is reviewing the number of Islington residents who have gained
apprenticeships with council-contracted suppliers.
·
On concerns over the low skills and poverty levels of its
residents, the meeting was informed that the Council’s Adult
and Community Learning Service is planning to make lifelong
learning more accessible by offering night schools and establishing
a Joint Directorate Outreach Team to address the issue.
·
In response to an observation that children of West Indian origin,
and white working-class children, had not been participating in the
summer reading challenge held in libraries, the Executive Member
indicated that she would have a look at the issue and report
back.
·
Members were informed that although two new indicators relating to
the number of library visits and the number of children taking part
in the summer reading challenge had been included in the quarter
report, further analysis would be possible after quarter 2 data had
been reported.
· The Executive Member for Economic Development advised that the Council now provides 100 hours of support for Islington children, a Labour Party manifesto commitment.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
Supporting documents:
- Quarter 1 Performance Report – Employment, Skills and Culture, item 236. PDF 156 KB
- ER Scrutiny - ESC performance indicators 2018-19, item 236. PDF 70 KB