The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has allocated £4.5m adult skills development in England’s major cities. However, CITB-ConstructionSkills has warned that industry involvement in funding allocation discussions is essential if the scheme is to do any good.
CITB chief executive Mark Farrar said: “While I’m encouraged by the collaborative approach on decisions around funding allocation, it’s vital that the Local Enterprise Partnerships work not only with training providers but also with industry to ensure that business needs are being met. We have been working very closely with LEPs around the country and sharing our industry market intelligence with them to help develop carefully targeted and tailored skills agendas which are demand driven. It’s crucial that any funding which is made available is put to the best possible use and allocated to training that will not meet a dead end. It’s not just about skills, it’s about developing the right skills locally and nationally to boost productivity and growth.”
The government is also encouraging cities to develop hubs that will help small businesses to take on apprentices.
Walsall council has announced plans to allocated £2m to creating what it hopes will be 550 new apprenticeships in local private sector firms. Employers who take part in the Walsall Works scheme will receive a conditional wage subsidy of £3,000 per apprentice from the council.
“We calculate we can help up to 225 young people aged 16 to 18 and a further 50 19 to 24-year-olds per year - a total of 550 over two years. That’s something to be proud of,” said Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration. “Our role as a council is to open the door for business to create sustainable jobs and opportunities. This is exactly what we are doing.”
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