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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.

 

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