Category: Skills

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Ground breaking project to build professional skills in construction sector

Unique North East England initiative to develop new careers and skills

A dynamic private sector led partnership in North East England is working with education to develop a new way of attracting talented young people into construction.

The innovative skills and careers programme, a first for the UK, is set to shake up the traditional way people are recruited and trained in a sector which shapes towns, cities and communities.

A powerful partnership of designers, builders, and project managers who operate in the ‘built environment’ have come together to campaign for change, to address the skills gap while also creating more valuable people through a new architectural engineering and management programme.

PlanBEE (Campaign for Change in the Built Environment) was launched by Ryder Architecture in 2013 and the campaign now also includes the support of Arup, Brims, Cundall, Desco, Esh, FaulknerBrowns, Napper Architects, Sir Robert McAlpine, Summers Inman, Surgo, Turner and Townsend, Xsite, 3eConsult, NELEP, RICS and ICE. Further partners are joining.

They have joined forces with the region’s leading further education organisation, Gateshead College to help devise a new way of recruiting and training young people for a career in the construction sector.

The new higher skills apprenticeship programme will be formally launched at Ryder’s home at Cooper’s Studios, Newcastle on July 25, 6pm-8pm.

Mark Thompson, managing partner at Ryder, said: “We’re delighted to have Gateshead College on board, alongside a number of universities. The facilities and staff at the college will provide valuable support throughout the course, ensuring cohorts receive the right balance of quality in-house educational content and hands on training with our business consortium members.

“We believe PlanBEE will inspire a new generation of bright, talented people to consider a rewarding career in construction. The blended learning approach, which includes residential elements alongside traditional day release, aims to deliver work ready graduates with the creative, practical and entrepreneurial ambition the industry needs to evolve.”

Gateshead College has devised an outline programme that gives new recruits a broader set of skills to ensure greater inter disciplinary working across the construction industry. Chris Toon, deputy principal at Gateshead College, explained: “This is a genuinely exciting and innovative programme we’ll be offering people from this September.

“It’s a great example of how Gateshead College is taking its strong links with regional employers, listening to their concerns and then working in close partnership to find innovative solutions for complex issues. You have to be responsive and that is how we work.”

Employers across the sector have increasingly felt that current qualifications and degree courses are no longer fit for purpose; there needs to be a greater convergence in the skills traditionally sat within the disciplines of architecture, engineering, surveying and construction.

Meetings between Gateshead College and businesses have fine-tuned the higher skills apprenticeship programme that launches this autumn. The programme provides study and off the job training at the college’s modern construction facility on Team Valley with a job working with some of the region’s leading companies.

It has been tailored specifically for and by the North East construction sector. It provides students with a starting salary of £10,000 per annum, a professional qualification and a guaranteed job opportunity on graduation. The degree stages will be provided by a regional university starting in 2018.

The college and PlanBEE are also liaising with a regional university so students can study up to degree level. Chris Toon added: “Gateshead College is delighted to be able to offer young people interested in the construction industry a new way to build a career in this dynamic sector. It’s a real alternative to full time education where you have the opportunity to study up to degree level whilst earning and coming out with no debt but with a job offer – it’s an exceptional way to progress your career.”

For more information about the programme, contact apprenticeships@gateshead.ac.uk or visit www.joinplanbee.com

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Your views on the North East’s next step forward

Richard Baker, Head of Strategy and Policy at the North East LEP, Invites comments on the refresh of the North East Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) through the publication of an engagement paper and opportunity to comment online.

Today marks an exciting moment in our ongoing refresh of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP).

We are seeking comments on the work we are coordinating with the North East Combined Authority to refresh our SEP.

We have already published our economic analysis paper, which reviews the current position of the North East economy, and a progress review, that details the delivery of the SEP priorities between March 2014 and March 2016.

We can now share with you with our engagement paper, which summarises the economic analysis and progress review, and also poses key questions for discussion and feedback, including your thoughts on the potential impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union and the prospect of a devolution deal.

To make it easier for people to contribute, we have published our questions via Survey Monkey so responses can be made online. Your feedback is key to shaping the refreshed SEP and I hope colleagues across the North East LEP region will contribute their thoughts and ideas.

You can access the survey here. THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED

Your feedback will help shape our refreshed vision for the North East. This is your opportunity to help us reach the ambitious target of creating an extra 100,000 more and better jobs by 2024.

Thank you in advance.

Richard Baker
Head of Strategy and Policy
North East Local Enterprise Partnership
richard.baker@nelep.co.uk

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Northumberland school benefits from Enterprise Adviser scheme

The latest person to join the region’s new network of Enterprise Advisers, working to help guide the careers and futures of young people in the North East, is Rob Storey, Group Skills & Education Manager at North Tyneside-based Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS).

Rob joins a growing team of leaders in North East business who are volunteering their time to work with schools in the region, strengthening the link between education and industry.

“I’m proud to say I started my role supporting King Edward VI School in Morpeth earlier this year,” said Rob, who will be working in partnership with the school’s senior management team.

“I’ve attended careers events there previously so I know a lot about the importance the school puts upon good careers advice and strong industry interaction for its pupils.”

In his role at AIS, Rob has a number of strategic responsibilities, one key area being strong partnering with schools, colleges and universities. The company, which delivers award-winning solutions to the oil and gas, wind energy and industrial sectors, has sites in Aberdeen, Grimsby and West Yorkshire, and has a state-of-the-art headquarters, manufacturing facility and training complex in North Shields.

Since being appointed as an Enterprise Adviser, Rob has met with staff at King Edward VI school to build an understanding of how he and the school can work together to provide effective careers guidance to pupils, using Rob’s years of industry expertise to help embed employer engagement into the curriculum.

“Being an Enterprise Advisor provides a great way for AIS to focus its significant contribution into careers activities, helping the school and employers collaborate. The scheme will benefit the energy sector and its various industries, recruiting good people into meaningful careers,” explained Rob.

“We all rely upon energy, and will continue to do so. It’s young people with fresh ideas who will play an ever increasing role in realising the different mix of energy the UK and beyond will rely upon as current resources become scarcer.”

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is expanding its team of Enterprise Advisers, appointing more people to partner with secondary schools in their area.

Rob said: “It’s no secret that school staff face many challenges upon their time and I firmly believe, as does AIS, that employers have a duty to help and support schools and the wider community with careers advice and the Enterprise Adviser role offers a great chance to make a real difference and add significant value.”

“I’ve been an advocate of partnerships for many years and still firmly believe effective collaboration is the only way to succeed.”

Secondary schools across the North East have already signed up to the Enterprise Adviser scheme, keen to work in partnership with business people to make sure that their students can benefit from a close link between the school and local industry.

To find out how to become an Enterprise Adviser, contact Lindsay Peek – Lindsay.peek@nelep.co.uk, 07824 528 484.

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Come and work at the North East LEP

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is currently recruiting for two new full-time roles, to help us deliver more and better jobs in the North East.

First is a fixed term contract for an ESIF (European Structural Investment Funds) Programme Manager.

The successful candidate will work with partners and raise awareness of the 2014-2020 ESIF programmes across the North East.

This will include running regional events to promote the launch of project calls, coordinating and supporting local partners with their local ESIF events, and supporting local partners in the development and management of a robust pipeline of ESIF projects that will support the delivery of the ESIF Operational Programmes, the North East LEP area ESIF Strategy and the Strategic Economic Plan.

To apply for this position or to find out more about the role, please click here. The closing date for applications is Friday 24 June.

We are also currently recruiting for a permanent Skills for Business Manager to join the new North East LEP executive team.

The successful candidate will take the lead in identifying what businesses within the North East require both now and in the future for businesses and the economy to grow. The post holder will work with business and education providers to design and implement a demand led skill strategy.

To apply for this position or to find out more about the role, please click here. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 29 June.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Enterprise Advisers: bringing the automotive industry into schools

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) latest Enterprise Adviser, Rob Dodds, works with the Link School in Pallion, Sunderland, to help increase awareness of career opportunities in the automotive industry and upskill the next generation of young people for when they leave education and move into the world of work.

Rob, who is Apprentice Coordinator at Sunderland-based car parts manufacturer Unipres (UK) and a  supplier to Nissan, is  volunteering  as an Enterprise Adviser as part of the North East LEP’s drive to bring business leaders into schools and shape careers provision. It’s part of the LEP’s wider skills programme of activity to identify and plug skills gaps, and equip young people with the knowledge, skills and abilities employers  look for in the future workforce

Rob works and supports  the Link School in Sunderland who until Robs support did not have access to employers. Students now take part in the Industrial Cadets programme at Unipres, learning about every aspect of the business and gaining insights into working in the automotive industry.

Rob also offers careers talks with Unipres apprentices, giving students the chance to talk and relate to people near their own age who are currently working in the automotive industry.

Rob said: “The Enterprise Adviser initiative provides the link for schools to get in touch with employers.

“It helps youngsters to decide what they want to do in future, and we try to link it in with their curriculum.

“The skills shortage in the North East region is pretty big and Unipres, as a large employer, believe it is important to put something back.

“We didn’t set out to gain anything from the programme other than to try to bridge the skills gap. If we even get one person through the door interested in a career in the automotive industry, we’d consider it a fantastic success.”

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Apprenticeship case studies required

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Skills Funding Agency and National Apprenticeship Service are looking for case studies for the ‘Get in Go Far’ communications campaign, which launched on 16 May 2016.

This campaign is aimed at 14-24 year olds, their parents, influencers and employers, to encourage the take up of apprenticeships in England. It is a key part of delivering the government’s plan to achieve 3 million apprenticeship starts, reform apprenticeships and increase BAME representation in line with the Prime Minister’s 2020 vision for apprenticeships.

Get In Go Far want to show real life inspirational stories of apprentices and highlight the variety of opportunities available to young people through case studies. These case studies would be used mainly in PR opportunities to profile the campaign.

Do you have any case studies from:

· Apprentices aged between 16 and 24

· Apprentices on levels 4-7 apprenticeships

· Skills Funding Agency accredited apprenticeships

· Apprentices where the employer is based in England

· Mixture of sectors, but keen to receive case studies from the STEM sectors

· Blue Chip companies as well as SMEs.

How to submit content:

To send case studies, please email JoinInGoFar@bis.gsi.gov.uk. Please include the name of the relevant individual and/or your organisation.

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TyneMet hailed as an exemplar STEM Assured college

Tyne Metropolitan College has announced that following a review by the national Innovation Council and subsequent recommendation to the STEM Foundation, it has been reaccredited as an ‘exemplar STEM Assured® College’.

In 2012, TyneMet was the first FE College in the North of England to be awarded the STEM Assured® status in recognition of the quality of its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics provision by the STEM Foundation.

STEM Assured® is the standard for assuring quality of delivery of STEM education and training. It is an outcomes-based standard, driven by the need to assure a more coherent strategy for the development and delivery of STEM education and training that addresses industry requirements for skills. This reaccreditation highlights TyneMet’s determination to be at the forefront of STEM provision and meet the needs of local and national employers.

Jon Vincent, Principal and Chief Executive at TyneMet College said: “This accolade demonstrates our strategic commitment to developing scientific and technical excellence and commends the efforts, of colleagues, students and partner organisations alike, in helping to create a strong culture and establish TyneMet as a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education.

“At TyneMet, we place an emphasis on pathways to STEM industries in the knowledge that that students studying on STEM related subjects will be in a very strong position when applying to university or for jobs.”

TyneMet was highly commended for its excellent focus on STEM innovation as a strategic differentiator for the whole college and the development of focused employer relationships with companies including Northern PowerGrid, Freeman Hospital, Nestle and Procter & Gamble. The College was also praised for its high quality teaching, with specialist subjects headed up by Technologists and its work with the unemployed, with 46 per cent of participants ending up with employment in the engineering sector.

Prof Sa’ad Medhat, Chief Executive of the UK STEM Foundation said: “TyneMet College is undertaking a key role in transforming their local economy by ensuring its STEM programmes are current and fit for purpose, in supporting the development and growth of businesses in the region. Students can also be assured that the College’s provision will enable them to progress into Higher Education and secure employment.”

TyneMet offers a wide range of vocational courses designed to up-skill and advance both employees and employers across the North East and following a STEM agenda continues to be integral to the College’s growth and development plans.

To find out more, visit www.tynemet.ac.uk. To find out more about STEM Foundation visit www.STEMFoundation.org.uk.

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Get In Go Far

Get In Go Far is the government’s new advertising campaign, informing and inspiring young people to consider apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience as valid and credible routes to a rewarding career.

According to the government’s research, 70% of employers say that apprenticeships improved their products or services and the North East LEP recognises that apprenticeships are key to delivering more and better jobs and improving skills here in the North East.

We aim to reach a target of 30% of North East businesses employing an apprentice by 2017 and are investing in pre-apprenticeship training and traineeships.

We are also delivering support to North East SMEs to help them identify opportunities and create new opportunities for young people, though a partnership scheme – Generation NE.

The £4.5m scheme, which is led by a partnership of local authorities and the North East LEP, will provide dedicated support through a team of specialist business advisors, to businesses to help them offer work placements and traineeships.

Gill Southern, Co-Chair of our North East Business Support Board said: “Providing young people with work experience and skills development is essential. The local economy has great potential, but without the right workforce we won’t be able to achieve our ambitions for sustainable economic growth. SMEs are critical to providing these opportunities, and through schemes such as Generation NE we can ensure that they have the support they need to do this.”

Visit www.getingofar.gov.uk to find out more about the Get In Go Far campaign.

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A refreshed SEP to reflect changing times

Richard Baker, Head of Strategy and Policy at the North East LEP, gives an update on the refresh of our Strategic Economic Plan.

The North East Strategic Economic Plan – or SEP for short – is the region’s road map to economic success.

It is our medium-term economic plan for the North East LEP area.

It sets out clearly how the LEP and the North East Combined Authority support economic growth and details the advice we give to Government about the most important investments needed for our area.

The SEP focuses on the sectors and areas that make our regional economy tick: innovation, business support and access to finance, skills, employability and inclusion, economic assets and infrastructures and transport and digital connectivity.

Like all plans setting out a course of action to reach milestones further down the road, it needs updating to reflect changing times.

The original SEP was unveiled back in March 2014.

It was born out of the evidence base of the Adonis Review of 2012 – and the data which underpinned that report was from two years previous.

The economic data in the current SEP is based on a period when we emerged from recession rather than where we are at now.

A series of new policy documents will impact our future economic planning and decision-making – a national innovation plan, new national infrastructure commission and an emerging devolution deal.

In the light of these shifting sands, the North East LEP board has agreed with the North East Combined Authority that now is the right time to look again at parts of the SEP, taking into account new evidence of the region’s economic position and evolving public policy environment.The SEP refresh is just that.

Not a rewrite, but a look again at how we reach our ambitious target of creating an extra 100,000 more and better jobs by 2024.

We are hard at work on this process.

We are examining with sharp focus our opportunities to be competitive nationally and internationally in the smart specialisation areas and growth sectors.

These are passenger vehicle manufacture, subsea, marine and related advanced manufacturing, life sciences and health and creative, digital software and technology based services.

We are looking to see high levels of productivity in these areas and to work out our position within the Northern Powerhouse to ensure we have the strong profile our region needs to seize maximum advantage from the opportunities it presents.

The views of stakeholders are crucial to our refresh work. They will contribute substantially to the evidence base, credibility and application of the SEP.

We’ll be seeking the views of business, the public and third sectors at a series of workshops running either side of the EU referendum during the summer.

There will also be an online survey for people to feed their views into the refresh process.

Details of how stakeholders can take part in the SEP refresh will coincide with the launch of our engagement activity in June and more information about how businesses can input will be available soon.

These views will be fed into the work to create an updated SEP which will be unveiled later this year.

Two other important pieces of work will support this refresh.

One is an economic analysis paper, which has been independently verified and looks at where we are now, compared to then back in 2014 and the next steps the region needs to take. We would encourage businesses to get in touch if they have more research or evidence to strengthen the economic analysis paper we have produced.

The second is a progress review of SEP delivery to date to show what has been done set against the SEP’s original plans.

The progress review looks right across leadership and governance structures, programme development, resource acquisition and investment.

Our aim with stakeholders is to provide the North East LEP area – from County Durham to the Northumberland – with an updated strategic economic plan which better reflects today while future proofing for tomorrow.

Richard Baker

Head of Strategy and Policy

North East Local Enterprise Partnership

richard.baker@nelep.co.uk