Agenda item

Purpose:  To seek agreement for a measure to promote the employment of 16-18 year old apprentices in the Council.

Councillor Quentin Webb asked for clarification regarding the term ‘apprentice’ and specifically whether the meaning in the report differed from the traditional meaning?  Jane Milone explained that in government terminology it meant:

‘a person who is employed but for part of that time is employed in a government structured one (1) year programme’.  She went on to say that promoting apprentice numbers would support the Council’s targets and would take advantage of the Government’s fully funded training offer.  This report was specifically for 16 – 18 year olds and for Looked After Children (LAC).

Councillor Quentin Webb asked what the end result for the person would be?

Jane Milone explained that they would leave with one (1) years work experience and a recognised qualification.  Councillor Quentin Webb asked if a level for failure had been set?  Jane Milone advised that the person could fail and that they were trying to set the pass level at a GCSE pass level.

Councillor Mollie Lock drew attention to paragraph 2.3 (1) where the phraseology could be interpreted as using the person as a cheap stop gap and went on to say that this was not right.  Jane Milone advised that this was a sensitive issue with the trade unions and explained the funding source for the posts.  The vacancy was a source of money not that the apprentice would cover the work of the vacant post.

Councillor Tony Linden commented on the minimum target of ten (10) posts per Head of Service.  Robert O’Reilly explained that it was not ten (10) per service area, but ten (10) across all service areas.  Councillor Quentin Webb said that as it mentioned ‘at least ten (10) per year’ did the Council not need to set a maximum number as well?  Robert O’Reilly said that there was no benefit in setting a maximum number and therefore no maximum number had been set.

Councillor Mollie Lock asked if the age group of 16 – 18 years of age was the age group that the Council would be adhering to in the future?  Robert O’Reilly advised that this would be continuously reviewed.

Councillor Mollie Lock asked if priority would be given to Looked after Children and Officers confirmed that it would be.  Councillor Quentin Webb asked if there was going to be a formal training scheme?  Jane Milone explained that the Council would be working with a training organisation and formal training would be provided. 

Councillor Quentin Webb asked who would manage and monitor the scheme? Jane Milone advised that the training organisation would manage the scheme with the relevant Head of Service providing the monitoring.  Councillor Quentin Webb asked if the apprentices would work across the service areas therefore covering a wide range of jobs.  Robert O’Reilly said that this had not been thought about, but that Human Resources could arrange to get the apprentices together on a regular basis (quarterly) and discuss progress and any issues they might have.

Councillor Tony Linden raised the issue of confidentiality and shared services and this would be covered.  Robert O’Reilly said that the induction process would cover this just as it covered any new employee.

Councillor Adrian Edwards commented on the small amounts of money that the apprentices could earn and the distances they might have to travel to take up these apprenticeships.  He therefore queried whether services could look at providing travel costs?  Robert O’Reilly advised that services could pay an additional hourly rate if necessary but the Council did not pay home to work expenses because of the tax implications.

Councillor Tony Linden asked if CRB checks would have to be done on employees working with the apprentices because the apprentices would be under 18?  Jane Milone advised that she would check to see if they were needed.

The Personnel Committee supported the recommendation with the following provisos:

·        Human Resources to organise quarterly meetings with all apprentices together to discuss progress and deal with any issues.

·        A progress report on how things are going to be brought back to the Personnel Committee in six months by Human Resources.