Workforce Skills are major priority in Walsall.
Background to ‘Increasing Skills Levels’ Project
This project builds on government strategy to raise skill levels and secure economic
and social prosperity for business, individuals and communities and contributes
towards the Framework for Excellence to which all partners aspire.
The project seeks to reverse the trend of underachievement by implementing an
alternative curriculum of vocational learning for the delivery of qualifications
to support local learners and employers, progressing from Entry Level 1 qualifications,
up to Level 3 NVQ (and / or equivalents). This activity is directed at the working
age population of Walsall, with the main focus being the delivery of vocational
learning by the voluntary and community sector organisations up to Level 2 and
3 NVQ, or equivalent.
In addition to providing funding to support delivery of units of an NVQ, the
project will also fund NVQ level 2 and 3 equivalent qualifications where the NVQ
option is inappropriate for the individual due to employment status or the range
of activities covered in their current job role.
The project will be open to working age residents of Walsall, both employed and
unemployed, to increase their skills levels and a particular emphasis will be
around the 19 plus unemployed workless groups who have a likelihood to have been
not in education emplyment or training (NEET).
While open to working age residents of Walsall, a proportion of the funding will
be made available to support participation by adults working within companies
located in Walsall but resident outside Walsall, with the corresponding economic
prosperity this brings to the Borough.
Project Progress so Far
It has been agreed that a dedicated resource through one lead agency will be
responsible for coordinating the Skills project. This lead agency is Walsall Lifelong
Learning Alliance (WLLA).
WLLA will have responsibility for the procurement process for issuing sub-contracts
to other providers to deliver. WLLA will also act as the first point of contact
for referrals from individuals, employers and other providers and
co-ordinate the marketing strategy and publicity campaign to promote the funds.
WLLA will work closely with all key partners and enable local voluntary and community
organisations to contribute to the skills delivery.
Additional funding of £1.8million (approx) has been allocated to support skills
activity outside of mainstream funded activity.
Key target groups will be:
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19+ Walsall residents;
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ex NEET group;
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Young offenders;
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Lone parents;
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Ethnic minority communities, people with disabilities and older people.
Priority sectors are:
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Business Improvement Techniques and other manufacturing qualifications;
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Information Technology Qualifications (ITQ);
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Construction, in particular On Site Assessment and Training (OSAT);
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School Support qualifications;
Locally, the following sectors are identified as priority:
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Health and Social Care;
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Information, Advice and Guidance;
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Reatail and Wholesale;
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Hospitality and Catering;
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Call centre Operatives;
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Sport related learning, where it is engagement activity.
It is hoped the ‘Skills’ project will enable the implementation of an alternative
curriculum of vocational learning, delivered by the Community and Voluntary sector,
containing qualifications that will support local learners and employers, progressing
from Entry Level 1 qualifications through to a full NVQ Level 3 qualification,
or equivalent.
For further information please contact Colin Robinson on 01922 714850
