To receive a presentation on the above titled item by Fiona Jones, CEO of Slough Aspire.

Fiona Jones, Chief Executive of Slough Aspire gave a presentation on the above titled item. Slough Aspire are a training and events management company who were working to deliver effective training on Berkshire apprenticeships. They had been working with businesses to increase engagement and understanding of apprenticeships. Members of the forum were told that apprenticeships were available across a range of sectors. It was highlighted that there should be an apprenticeship agreement, contract and commitment statement in place and the organisation should be registered as a training provider. Members were informed of the differences between levy and non-levy paying providers and of the offsets available. The Forum were told that an individual apprentice’s performance should be monitored and that endpoint assessments should be carried out through mock activities and trials. It was highlighted that levy payers who had less than £3m in revenue would receive an offset of £15,000 against the levy liability and could be entitled to apply for a 10% top up by the Government.

Members were told that there were currently workshops on setting up and monitoring digital accounts. Members were told that smaller organisations would not have digital accounts and that this would be for larger organisations with £3m turnover of more. It was highlighted that apprenticeships could also be sourced from within the organisation as a means to upskill existing members of staff. It was noted that there was also a bursary available for care leavers of up to £1,000. Members were informed that in order to recruit an apprentice that this would need to be advertised or a standard could be created if the apprenticeship did not already exist. Members were told that across Berkshire that the highest level of apprenticeships were within the business, admin and legal sector, followed by health & public services and care. It was noted that only 6% of apprenticeships were found within the leisure and tourism industry and nationally the rate was 12%.

ACTION-  That the presentation be circulated to all forum members.

Members were encouraged to look beyond traditional apprenticeships and were told that new standards could be created using a trailblazer process. The Forum were reminded that there was a public service duty where 2.7% of the Local Authority workforce must be apprentices. The Forum were told that the Berkshire apprenticeships achievement awards were held at Legoland and this had been well received with good feedback. It was highlighted that the event- “ you want me to be an apprentice?” would be held on the 3^rd December 2018 and further information was available at info@berkshire-apprenticeships.co.uk

A member of the forum queried whether there were any age limits for apprenticeships and it was confirmed that there was no upper limit to age for an apprentice. Another forum member queried whether any work could be carried out to encourage apprentices after an unsuccessful recruitment campaign. It was noted that speaking with school children in earlier years was being carried out and that a new career strategy had been published which looked at the duty to engage and for a career lead to be in post at schools. Members agreed that speaking and engaging children from a younger age would widen their career horizons and that further highlighting of the diversity within the leisure and tourism industry was needed to gain a wider attraction from the available talent pool. Julia White, Tourism Manager highlighted that Fiona Jones had joined the People Task group and had been working to encourage uptake of interest within the hospitality/tourism sector. Councillor Luxton suggested that a career fair be held at the Guildhall, with vendors specifically involved in the tourism/leisure sector to peak interest in potential apprentices. At the conclusion of the presentation, members noted the presentation.