Agenda item

Verbal update to be provided by the Economic Development Office.

Members received a verbal update from the Economic Development Office regarding progress on the employability strategy.

Members were advised that that the three-year employability strategy was still in its infancy and would be dovetailed to link with other strategies. Its aim was to instil good practice including: an apprentice programme, enterprise employability in all schools, promotion of apprenticeships to businesses, social mobility support across all years, promotion of the importance of digital skills and working with Boroughs to secure funding for residents with barriers.

Members were advised that the strategy also included rigorous assessment of where activity was needed, e.g. it was noted that internships were beneficial for diversity. There were also plans to pilot new ideas in partnership with other organisations.