Productive Skills for Devon

1. Productive Skills for Devon Introduction

2. The Brief • Improved economic well-being through skills development, particularly amongst the hard to reach. The priority area will be measured through 4 key indicators: • % of young people aged 16 achieving 5 A* - C including Maths and English, measured by the LEA • % of full level 2 qualifications achieved, measured through the FE funding route by the LSC • % of apprenticeship frameworks achieved at both level 2 and level 3 • % of economically active with NVQ 4+ in the worst performing District is improved, as measured by the local area labour force survey.

3. The Brief • What the current situation with regards to skills and productivity is within Devon and how this is currently being addressed by learning support providers • Where the gaps exist particularly with regards to those areas of the community identified as ‘hard-to-reach’ • An assessment of how achievable each of the 4 targets identified to contribute to the overarching aim • An outline action plan of activities, drawing from best practice elsewhere that will assist in meeting those targets deemed as hardest to deliver against.

4. Productive Skills for DevonEconomic Context • Devon productivity (GVA per capita) lower than UK & SW average, Plymouth GVA is slightly higher than the Devon average, Torbay’s is significantly lower • Much greater disparities of productivity at district level (Exeter 121% of UK avg. 2002, Torridge 60.8%) • Torridge lower proportion Prof/Assoc. Prof employees • All areas have seen increase in employment between 2000-04 – (ranging from 27% growth in South Hams to 0.9% growth in Torridge)

5. Devon Economic Context • Growth Sectors: • Declining Sectors: • Reliance on Productivity by Sector: • Agriculture – Torridge, West Devon • Manufacturing – Mid Devon, Plymouth, Torridge • Hotels and Catering – North Devon, Torbay • Real estate/Business Services – Exeter, Teignbridge, East Devon

6. Devon Economic Context – Qualification Levels • Low Levels of Economically Active qualified to NVQ L4: Torridge, Torbay, Plymouth • High proportion of economically active with no qualifications: Torbay & Torridge • LEA funded GCSE attainment: significant variance on a ward by ward basis, pockets of underachievement • Estimates of Skills for Life needs • Numeracy greatest need: Plymouth & Exeter • Literacy greatest need: Torbay & Torridge

7. Stock take of Mainstream Provision

8. Stock Take of FE funded Learning Provision - Overview Source: LSC 2006

9. Stock Take of Work Based Learning Provision Apprenticeship Frameworks Completed Completers 1400 Source: LSC 2006 1200 1000 800 Devon Plymouth 600 Torbay 400 200 0 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Year

10. Apprenticeship Framework Completion Rates (%) 60 50 40 Devon 30 Plymouth Torbay 20 10 0 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Year Source: LSC 2006

11. Stock Take – GCSE Attainment • Overall GCSE attainment of LEA funded learning provision has increased to 46.6% (from 43.8%) • Masks significant variations when analysed to a ward level. • Concentrations of underachievement exist in clusters in: Northam, Bideford, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, East Exeter, Dartmouth, Newton Abbot & Kingskerswell

12. Source: LEA 2006

14. Learndirect Centre Distribution

15. Programme Based Provision – ESF, Obj .2, Devon Renaissance etc • A bias exists in terms of the level of funding and number of initiatives delivered in Objective 2 areas compared to non-Objective 2 • Possible need for expansion of ICT support provision given the level of need identified through sector support. • There are limited initiatives that engage with young people and influence GCSE attainment. • The number of initiatives targeted at individuals from the third age (50+) are limited.Budget announcements increase the emphasis of provision towards young people (at the expense of older workers?)

16. Stock Take Table – ESF, Obj.2, Devon Renaissance etc cont.. • Wide range of management development initiatives delivered throughout Devon – potential for collaboration, sharing of best practice • SWRDA funded priority sector provision tends to be delivered on a region-wide basis. It is unclear to what extent Devon benefits from these. • There appears to be no existing information portal for sharing of best practice, monitoring of delivery, or assessing the effectiveness of widening participation

17. LPSA Target Update *(an estimated 888 beneficiaries from Devon completed an NVQ L2 through the NETP over the same period) ** DfES drawn from LLFS 2004/05

18. LPSA Targets - Achievability GCSE • The GCSE attainment of young people has increased significantly over the past year and even with a substantial deceleration in the rate of increase would still be achievable by 2008. • Whilst across Devon as a whole this appears to be the case, pockets of under achievement remain as outlined within the analysis of GCSE attainment and targeted activity within these areas will assist the achievement of the LPSA target. NVQ Level 2 • Whilst overall NVQ L2 attainment trends for Devon and Cornwall suggest a fall in numbers achievement this target this is more than redressed through the delivery of the Employer Training Programme. If the outputs from this programme are considered as an eligible contribution towards the target then this targets looks to be achievable.

19. LPSA Targets - Achievability Apprenticeship Frameworks • The analysis of Work based learning provision highlights the extent to which both the quality and quantity of apprenticeship frameworks has improved. This delivery led to an increase to the original LPSA target for 2008, despite this the target remains achievable although it is recognised that it is unlikely for the current rate of increase to be sustained. NVQ L4 – Torridge • A lack of nationally published data relating to this output combined with significant variations when comparing annual information with similar analysis but on the basis of 4 quarter averages makes any assessment of the achievability of this target difficult. • It is clear however that Torridge is consistently the worst performing district across a number of measures and coordinated activity targeted at the district is required to address the multiple issues that exist.

20. NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS - SOME CONCLUSIONS • Exploit commitment to improving skills from Economic Partnerships and Devon and Cornwall Business Council • Harness existing networks and working groups to support Productive Skills for Devon • The Devon and Cornwall Training Providers’ Network is a useful way of getting to the vast majority of providers based in the area. • Networks and partnerships work best where: • there are concrete benefits, most obviously access to project and other funding streams • there is some independent facilitation and brokerage of partnerships to sustain the momentum of partnership activity

21. NETWORKS AND PARTNERSHIPS • capacity of key funders to engage with effective local networks • lots of networks, at regional, sub-regional, county and “local” level • make sure Devon Renaissance resource is effectively used • 14-19 groups to engage effectively with • business • training providers • Connexions, DEBP and voluntary sector (e.g. Prince’s Trust, Young Enterprise) • expand DTLP WFD groups’ brief to embrace all adult skills issues and engagement with business including economic partnerships • liaison with Torbay and Plymouth – also Cornwall and Somerset where relevant. • better working between funding agencies

22. Demand for Skills in Devon

23. Source: LSC 2006

24. Source: Annual Population Estimates 2004 & LSC 2006

26. Source: LSC 2006

27. WBL by Local Authority (% of 15-24 year olds) West Devon 17.7% Torridge 17.3% Torbay 12.6% Teignbridge 12.4% 11.8% South Hams Plymouth 11.1% North Devon 14.0% Mid Devon 14.6% Exeter 6.8% East Devon 13.7% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% Demand for Work based learning amongst 15-24 year olds

29. NETP/Train to Gain • 888 NVQ L2 qualifications achieved through NETP during 2004/05 • Dominated by Health and social work sector • Companies with 11-49 employees are the most common beneficiaries of the scheme • Higher ‘penetration rates’ of delivery in Plymouth, Torbay and North Devon, low rates in Exeter, Mid Devon

30. NETP/Train to Gain – Sectoral Demand

31. Source: LSC 2006

32. Perceived Community Demand • more positive intervention to help micro-businesses to identify their training needs and negotiate with providers to get it. • high quality, effective 14+ vocational learning requires schools to engage with business, FE and training providers. • greater input from careers guidance specialists including information about local employment prospects to inform choices both at 14+ and 16+. • more skills centres (of excellence) to target sectors and geographical areas.

33. Sectors • Consultant team tasked with defining priority sectors for targeted activity to contribute to the LPSA agenda. • Current and future skills gaps for these sectors can be found within the exec. summary

34. Sector Matrix

35. Priority Sectors • Construction • Marine Cross-cutting: • Healthcare • Tourism & Hospitality Environmental • Adv. Engineering • Creative Industries E-Skills • Retail • Food & Drink • Business Services

36. Key Issues: • The Torridge Question - Requires Coordinated Activity • Productivity declining significantly relative to UK (latest indicators 2002) • Multiple issues – low pay, low employment growth, economic structures dominated by traditional and declining sectors would suggest that this disparity would probably be sustained and may have increased • GCSE qualifications achieved at LEA funded schools vary considerably by area. Clusters of wards with low attainment can be found in the following areas: Bideford, Barnstaple Dartmouth, Dawlish, East Exeter, Ilfracombe, Northam, Newton Abbot & Kingkerswell • Have non-Objective 2 areas sufficient capacity to maximise future access to, and management of skills projects?

37. Key Issues Cont… • Low proportion of adults educated to NVQ L2 or below accessing FE provision in some areas – Torbay & North Devon have the lowest proportions. These areas also have the highest proportion of employees within the tourism sector • High levels of achievement of NVQ L2 through the NETP/Train to Gain masks narrow (healthcare) sector demand driven by legislation rather than employer demand – requires action • Lack of provision and emphasis of existing provision aimed at 45+ age bracket. Equally, a relative lack of tapping into the skills this group brings to the Devon area (BVM etc offer examples of the level of existing resource available) • Improved management information in relation to RDA regional sector skills initiatives to assess impact in sub regions (particularly where RDA key sectors match Devon priority sectors)

38. Key Issues Cont… • Need for an information portal to coordinate and inform activity • Schools and students/pupils can be engaged as part of regeneration/economic development activity – impact on citizenship, valuing the local area and may influence the retention of young people in key areas • Greater utilisation of existing resources as part of coordinated activity to increase level of outreach provision delivered in industrial/commercial setting to influence employer engagement • Improvement of e-skills to address help address issues of disparity and productivity deficiencies now that broadband infrastructure is in place.

39. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOD PRACTICE its Applicability/replicability • Currently neither the LEA nor the LSC keeps a local database of good practice. • There are many examples of effective practice which can be more effectively applied through: • Supporting local good practice dissemination events. • Encouraging providers to identify effective practice, cross-referenced as appropriate to LSC reviews, inspection and SAR findings. • Setting and monitoring targets. • Providing mentorship support for transfer of good practice. • All of the above could amount to a local (model of good practice) framework for sharing good practice.

40. OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOOD PRACTICE its Applicability/replicability • Effective employer engagement for all providers of 14+ learning should be a priority area • There is a potentially greater contribution to be made by DEBP to schools’ engagement with business. • Current Co-financed projects to promote and convert to apprenticeships need to work together to maximise benefits. • Limitation on the funding for new apprenticeship starts arising from improved completion rates may need to be raised.

41. TORRIDGE ACTION Effective and accountable leadership, supported by key agencies and business leaders to: • promote HE to potential learners and employers of graduates • graduate and undergraduate business placements • re-engage people in area with under-used graduate skills, especially the over-50s (linked with EQUAL projects in Devon). • expand business-supported Foundation Degree provision. • Develop a focus for HE activity, even if largely “virtual”. • Develop additional incubation support for high-skill businesses to attract graduates to work in the area. Torridge as a test-bed.