Productive Skills for Devon

Introduction

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:

1. % of young people aged 16 achieving 5 A* - C including Maths and English, measured by the LEA

2. % of full level 2 qualifications achieved, measured through the FE funding route by the LSC

3. % of apprenticeship frameworks achieved at both level 2 and level 3

4. % of economically active with NVQ 4+ in the worst performing District is improved, as measured by the local area labour force survey.

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.

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)

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

- Construction - Public Admin

- Hotels & Restaurants - Education

- Business Services - Health & Social Work

- Manufacturing - Agriculture

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

Stock take of Mainstream Provision

Stock Take of FE funded Learning Provision - Overview

FE Funded NVQ L2 Achievements - Devon & Cornwall

0500

10001500200025003000350040004500

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

Year

No'

s Tot.No's

16-18

19+

Source: LSC 2006

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

Year

Com

plet

ers

Devon

Plymouth

Torbay

Apprenticeship Frameworks Completed

Source: LSC 2006

Stock Take of Work Based Learning Provision

Apprenticeship Framework Completion Rates (%)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

Year

Devon

Plymouth

Torbay

Source: LSC 2006

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

5+ GCSEs (A*-C) Achievement

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

East D

evon

Exeter

Mid Dev

on

North

Devon

South

Hams

Teignbri

dge

Torrid

ge

West Dev

on

Devon

%

Source: LEA 2006

Learndirect Centre Distribution

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?)

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

LPSA Target UpdateIndicators by which

performance will be measured

Baseline performance(2003-2004)

Update performance (2004-2005)

Performance target with the LPSA

(2008)

1. % of young people aged 16 achieving 5 A* - C including maths and English measured by LEA.

43.8% 46.6% 47.3%

2. Number of full Level 2 qualifications achieved measured through the FE funding route by the LSC.

1,385 * 1,496(+8%)

3. Number of apprenticeship frameworks achieved at both Level 2 and Level 3, measured by the LSC.

861 1,226 1,415(+64%)

4. The % of economically active with NVQ4+ in the worst performing District, as measured by the local area labour force survey.

18.5% 18.6%** 20.5%

*(an estimated 888 beneficiaries from Devon completed an NVQ L2 through the NETP over the same period)

** DfES drawn from LLFS 2004/05

LPSA Targets - AchievabilityGCSE

– 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.

LPSA Targets - AchievabilityApprenticeship 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.

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

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

Demand for Skills in Devon

Source: LSC 2006

FE funded NVQ L2 Achievements by Sector (04/05)

0100200300400500600700800

Agri,

Hor

ti, A

nim

al C

are

Arts

, Med

ia &

Pub

lishi

ng

Busi

ness

, Adm

in &

Law

Con

stru

ctio

n, P

lann

ing

& Bu

iltEn

v't

Educ

atio

n an

d Tr

aini

ng

Engi

neer

ing

& M

anuf

. Tec

h

Hea

lth P

ub. S

ervi

ces,

Car

e

ICT

leis

ure,

trav

el &

tour

ism

Ret

ail a

nd C

omm

erci

alEn

terp

rise

Scie

nce

& M

aths

Scie

nce

and

Mat

hs

Source: Annual Population Estimates 2004 & LSC 2006

FE Learners as a percentage of working age population qualified to NVQ L2 or Below 04/05

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0

East Devon

Exeter

Mid Devon

North Devon

Plymouth

South Hams

Teignbridge

Torbay

Torridge

West Devon

Devon

WBL student Volumes by Sector Subject Area (Devon & Cornwall)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Subject

No'

s 2002/032003/042004/05

Source: LSC 2006

Demand for Work based learning amongst 15-24 year olds

WBL by Local Authority (% of 15-24 year olds)

13.7%

6.8%

14.6%

14.0%

11.1%

11.8%

12.4%

12.6%

17.3%

17.7%

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0%

East Devon

Exeter

Mid Devon

North Devon

Plymouth

South Hams

Teignbridge

Torbay

Torridge

West Devon

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

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Other mining and quarryFood and beverages

Manufacture of wood and wood productsRubber and plastic products

Basic metalsFabricated metal products

Machinery and equipment necElectrical machinery

P recision instrumentsRecyclingElectricity

Collection and distribution of waterConstruction

Sale, maintenance and repair of motor vehiclesWholesale

RetailHotels and restaurants

Land transportWater transport

Financial intermediationActivities auxiliary to financial intermediation

Real estate activitiesOther business activities

P ublic administration and defenceEducation

Health and social workSewage and refuse disposal

Other service activities

NETP/Train to Gain – Sectoral Demand

Devon Beneficiaries achieving NVQ L2 through the NETP

0 200 400 600 800 1000

Agriculture

Hair and Beauty

Health Care and PublicServices

Management and prof

Media and Design

Learners

Source: LSC 2006

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.

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

Sector MatrixSector

DC

C p

ossi

ble

prio

ritie

s

Dev

on

Ren

aiss

ance

- s

kill

need

s

SWR

DA

pr

iorit

y

LSC

prio

rity

Empl

oym

ent

Vaca

ncie

s

Gro

wth

Po

tent

ial

CoVEs in "Devon"

Advertising, crafts, cultural heritage, design, the arts 2,237 Aerospace & advanced engineering Plymouth CFE Building services engineering 3,175 Business Administration Exeter College & ETS Business planning Chemical, Nuclear, oil & gas, petroleum and polymer industries 3,480 Construction 19,867 North Devon College Customer care Engineering and construction x Environmental and land based industries 1,951 x Financial services industry 5,843 Food and Drink Manufacturing and processing 4,993 x Freight logistics industry 8,090 Health sector across the UK 24,063 Hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism 31,821 Plymouth CFE Information technology, telecommunications & contact centres 7,758 Local government 16,626 Marine ITE with Plymouth CFE Process and manufacturing industries 3,765 Retail 35,374 Science, engineering and manufacturing technologies 10,271 North Devon College Social care, children and young people 14,843 Trade and professional skills

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

Key Issues:1. 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

2. 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

3. Have non-Objective 2 areas sufficient capacity to maximise future access to, and management of skills projects?

Key Issues Cont…4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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)

Key Issues Cont…

8. Need for an information portal to coordinate and inform activity

9. 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

10.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

11. Improvement of e-skills to address help address issues of disparity and productivity deficiencies now that broadband infrastructure is in place.

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.

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.

TORRIDGE ACTIONEffective 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.