16-19 (24) KCC / YPLA Strategy & Funding Briefing 14 – 24 Learning and Skills Strategy

1. 16-19 (24) KCC / YPLA Strategy & Funding Briefing14 – 24 Learning and Skills Strategy Delivering Bold Steps A new approach

2. Bold Steps for Kent • Priority 4: Shape education and skills provision around the needs of the Kent economy • “Work with all providers to deliver a 14-24 Strategy that equips young people with the academic, vocational and life skills required to succeed in the 21st century economy, with learning and training options that meet the needs of the private and public sector.”

3. Where are we now: secondary education Gaps in secondary school performance at KS4 are wide All pupils 59% 5 A*-C GCSE grades inc English and Maths Boys 55% Girls 63% FSM pupils 28% SEN pupils 24% LAC 10%

4. Where are we now: post 16 69% of school sixth forms are good or better good or better 2 out of 5 FE colleges are good or better A level results have improved steadily Number of young people achieving level 2 qualifications by age 19 is in line with similar areas But standards achieved by young people from low income backgrounds, while improved, are below the national average for this group Too many 16-19 year olds (13.6%) achieve no improvement in level 2 qualifications Gaps are not closing quickly enough, the achievement gap for level 3 qualifications at age19 in Kent is 33%, well above the national average

5. Where are we now: post 16 8000 learners are on vocational courses for 14-16 year olds Only 2700 16-18 year olds (6.5%) are on an apprenticeship scheme And 2318 young people (6.5%) are NEETs 9000 (32%) of the unemployed on jobseekers allowance are 16-24 year olds Number increases to 16,500 when other out of work benefits are included Population increasing, 22% are 0-17 years (312,900) but forecast to increase by 3.5% (11,900) by 2014 Inequality gaps wide and low attainment at ages 16 and 19 is a key issue Increase in NEETS at 17+ is another key issue Need to plan for full participation for 18 year olds by 2015 and the introduction of destination measures from KS4 to KS5

6. Post 16 challenges Many young people with low skills are still choosing to look for employment at ages 16, 17 and 18 despite rising youth unemployment The job crisis is hitting the most vulnerable young people hardest, Kent has 5 of the country’s worst 16-24 unemployment hotspots (12-25%) Youth unemployment 16-24 has long term impact on life chances and future income and future costs to society are enormous Of the 40% of learners who do not achieve level 2 with English and mathematics at age 16, fewer than half go on to achieve a level 3 qualification by age 19 Apprenticeships are not viewed by many young people and employers as a good career pathways to high level jobs and income Employers are key to our strategy for improving learner outcomes, skills and employability While the route to university is a well signposted motorway, the route into work for other 16-19 year olds is an unmarked field of landmines

7. What do we need to do? Ensure more young people achieve English and mathematics at level 2 and more 19 year olds achieve level 3 Develop employability skills, self discipline and motivation, communication, working with others, resilience and perseverance Improve access to high quality information, advice and work experience and young people’s understanding of the labour market and FE options Ensure more disadvantaged young people get good quality work experience and more support for progression towards further education and work Incentivise more young people to stay in education and training to age 18 by developing the right courses and pathways Develop more high quality progression routes, including work based learning, to help more young people make the transition from full time education to work

8. What do we need to do? Improve early intervention, support and pathway planning for young people most at risk of becoming NEET Expand apprenticeship programmes and other vocational options that lead more directly to work in the Kent economy Develop employer engagement in education, more opportunities for young people to have contact with, and careers advice from employers Improve 16-24 learning and employment opportunities for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities Improve the partnership working between education providers, businesses and voluntary organisations as a key part of our 14-24 strategy

9. Ambition of the Strategy • By 2015, all young people in Kent will be able to access education and training that is appropriate to their needs and relevant to the local and national economy. They will understand what is required of them to progress into employment or higher levels of learning.

10. Ambition of the Strategy • By 2015 • 70% of 16 year olds to achieve 5 good GCSEs including English and mathematics • all 17 year olds in education, employment or training • all 18 year olds in education, employment or training • achieve a 5% increase in level 2 outcomes by age 19 • increase the number of level2, 3 and 4 apprenticeships by 10% • 350 apprenticeships delivered by KCC • 8000 young people participating in Kent Employability Programme

11. Key Performance Indicators • Fewer young people in learning will achieve no improvement in qualifications between the ages of 16 and 19, so that this number is less than 5% • Learners achieving no further qualifications by age 19

12. Key Performance Indicators • The achievement gap at age 19 will reduce by 10% • Gap in achievement of level 3 by age 19 (Free School Meals)

13. Key Performance Indicators • There will be a significant impact on unemployment among 18-24 year olds so that current levels reduce by 4,000 to below 2008 levels • 18-24 year old unemployment in Kent measured by claimant count

14. Priorities for 14-24 Skills & Employability Team

15. Skills and Employability Team • Brings together the following KCC functions: • 14 to 24 Innovations Unit • Kent Apprenticeship Team • Alternative Curriculum Monitoring Team • Transitional Planning of Key Stage 4 AC/PRU • Strategic Development of Community and Adult Learning

16. Strategic Focus of S & E Team • Progression • Improve learning outcomes forall 14-19(24) • 14-24 Learning and Skills Strategy • Community and Adult Learning Strategy • Apprenticeships to be skill option of choice • Positive progression and destination measures for all learners

17. Strategic Focus of S & E Team • Participation • RPA Strategy • Increase participation of vulnerable learners • Effective employer engagement • Support to develop employability skills by age 18 • Labour market information

18. Strategic Focus of S & E Team • Targeted Support • Transfer of PRUs to new delivery vehicle • Transition Plan for Independent Careers Advice and Guidance • Level 2 Maths and English • Narrowing the Gap • Supporting Learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities • Vulnerable Learners Apprenticeship project

19. Strategic Alliances • Key priorities can only be delivered by strategic alliances with key partners: • Schools/FE colleges/wbl providers/HEIs • EFA • SFA • JCP • Employers • Sector Skills Councils • District and Borough Councils