Agenda item
2018/19 Quarter 4 Performance Report - Employment and Skills
Minutes:
Councillor Shaikh, Executive Member, Economic Development presented the Q4 Performance Report.
The following points were made:
·
Members were informed that the Council continues to
meet its targets on reducing unemployment and supporting people
into paid work, however the Service continues to target the
long-term unemployed especially among young people and those facing
multiple barriers to employment. The Service continues to track
parents of 0-18 children, those with disabilities or long term
health conditions, young people aged 18-25 and BAME
groups.
·
Members were reminded about the Council’s
internal employment service, iWork which has established ‘the
Islington working employment support hub’ at 222 Upper Street
in conjunction with staff from a range of partner organisations,
which provides a ‘one front door’ to employment support
in Islington.
·
The Executive Member acknowledged that due to the
lack of accurate statistics of the employment rates amongst 18-25
age group, it has been difficult for the Service to target
employment support for this cohort. Members were advised that local
authorities do not have a statutory duty for that age group as
compared to young people ages 16-17 years old.
·
The Council recognises the essence of early
intervention in households and families as it is essential to raise
aspirations amongst young people in other to avoid future
generations of workless households. Supporting unemployed parents
into work is key to breaking the cycle of poverty as evidence shows
that this is common with parents on out of work benefits.
·
The close working relationship with relevant council
services such as Bright Start and Early Help has gone a long way in
addressing residents with child care issues in addressing barriers
to employment for parents with children.
·
Meeting was informed that although participation and
demand in adult education has seen a drop, Islington ACL continues
its marketing campaigns to promote the curriculum offer in a bid to
attract more learners into courses which prepares them for
employment. Members were advised that besides lack of skills being
a barrier to employment, there is a recognition of other factors
such as child care provision and the introduction of universal
credit. The council will be looking to promoting or encouraging
flexible working amongst employers and the use of community centres
and day care places to help alleviate barriers to
employment.
·
On the question of whether additional support would
be required to address the employment challenges experienced by
residents with disabilities and long term health conditions, the
Executive Member informed the meeting that the Service is aware,
however the Council’s iWork being able to support 283
residents into employment should be welcomed.
·
With regards to the economic inactivity amongst BAME
residents, the meeting was informed that the Service has introduced
new measure to monitor and target employment support to the group.
In addition, the meeting was informed that although employment
support is not normally directed at graduates, evidence shows that
BAME graduates that live in Islington remain disproportionately
unemployed in comparison to their white counterparts. The meeting
was informed that the Council is looking at ways of addressing this
issue of unemployment.
·
On the question of the quality and sustainability of
jobs facilitated by the both the Council’s internal
employment service and external partners, the meeting was advised
that presently only jobs internally are tracked, however the
Service would be looking in the near future to monitor jobs
supported by external partners.
·
In terms of revitalising Islington street markets,
the Executive Member acknowledged the challenges around street
markets and in particular for stall holders, that the council is
looking at ways of increasing the footfall by offering initiatives
such as discounts to hire market stalls especially for local
residents, allow specialist markets in to the market for the odd
day and hold community events with the presence of GP clinics and
libraries.
·
Members were informed of Metropolitan University
programme which offers course for teaching assistants, a good route
for residents interested in a career in schools.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
Supporting documents:
- Quarter 4 2018-19 Performance Report Employment Skills and libraries - Final, item 296. PDF 178 KB
- E R Scrutiny - ESC performance indicators 2018-19 Q4, item 296. PDF 77 KB