2. Agenda Welcome Walsall Works Update Hourly rates Achievements Celebration Event Q&A session AOB Date of Next Meeting

3. Walsall Works Walsall Works aims to stimulate sustainable employment within local businesses and support young people into work The scheme will be offering 740 young people aged 16-24 the opportunity to enter a pre- apprenticeship programme or an apprenticeship

4. Walsall Works Criteria Walsall Works continues to focus on unlocking jobs within enterprises from the growth sectors: Niche and high value manufacturing and engineering Environmental technologies and construction Financial, professional and business services Creative and digital services Health and social care Logistics Other sectors may be considered on a case by case basis

5. Walsall Works Criteria Focus on Walsall SME’s but will consider large companies if they traditionally don’t take apprentices No gap needed since last apprentice start 35 hour+ per week contract 52 week minimum employment Employer committed to sustainable employment Employee to apprentice staff ratio of approx 2:1

6. Walsall Works Incentive £3,000 for employers taking on a young person aged 16 or 17 at a rate of £3.00 per hour £4,500 for employers taking on a young person aged 18 to 20 at a rate of £4.98 per hour £6,000 for employers taking on a young person aged 21 to 24 at a rate of £6.19 per hour New national minimum hourly rates come into place October 2013

7. 52 weeks apprenticeship salary costs and contributions

8. How will Walsall Works pay? Appendix 2 form (updated) Send out Grant Agreement for signatures First payment after 4 weeks Second Payment at the midpoint of apprenticeship Final payment on confirmation of sustainable employment post-apprenticeship

9. Achievements 170 employers have signed up as interested and actively creating new employment opportunities 124 young people have started their apprenticeship through Walsall Works 183 young people have now started the Pre- Apprenticeship programme

10. Our Employers 170 Businesses registered interest and actively recruiting through Walsall Works SectorNo of Employers Creative and Digital Services 12 Environmental Technologies 7 Financial, Professional and Business Services 20 Health and Social Care 20 Logistics 16 Manufacturing and Engineering 59 Other (social enterprise, mechanics, construction) 36

11. Our 100 th Apprentice Jordan Sperring-Lee, 19 has commenced his apprenticeship with Gainsborough Bathrooms as a Trainee Engineer. He is completing a Level 2 engineering apprenticeship with In- Comm Training Ltd. Jordan attended a ‘Promoting Opportunities’ session hosted by Walsall Works, Walsall College and JCP and was supported to register onto NAS and apply for an apprenticeship.

12. Pre-Apprenticeships Pre-apprenticeship places available in the following sectors: Construction- Green Skills Child Care Business Admin Sports Health & Social Care Engineering Manufacturing IT Logistics

13. Pre-Apprenticeships These will offer each young people the support to get ready to start a full apprenticeship through a 20-24 week course which will enable them to gain : Literacy, Numeracy & ICT Skills Employability Skills Customer Care 4 week work placement Intensive Job Search Guaranteed job interview Accreditation to a Level 1 qualifications

14. Celebration Event Tuesday 11 th June 2013 – 5.30pm- 8.00pm at The Studio School, The Goldmine Centre, 14a Lower Hall Lane, Walsall, WS1 1RL. Identify apprentices and employers for promotional activity Provide nominations for Walsall Works Employer 2013 Walsall Works Apprentice 2013

15. Capturing Added Value? Indications of levels of Leverage attracted ie AGE Grant, Skills Funding Agency, Bursaries Additional outcomes for learners Progression to Advanced & Higher Apprentices Breaking barriers for non-traditional groups

16. £2,275 Wage Incentive Employers can claim £2,275 from DWP if they appoint a young person who has been claiming JSA for 6 months plus For work programme clients this is direct from Work Programme Provider For non- work programme clients this is from JCP This can be matched to Walsall Works You cannot claim the Wage incentive and the AGE grant

17. Support Us Return signed contracts immediately Submit claims on time to ensure payments Promote Walsall Works to employers Signpost young people to the NAS website Market on your websites and publications Join our Celebration event in June 2013 Identify apprentices for Walsall Works publicity

18. Question & Answer Session

19. Dates of Future Session Monday 29 th July 2013, 10.00am – 11.30am at Walsall Council Chamber, Walsall Town Hall, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TP

20. Contact Details 01922 654322 walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk Walsallworks@walsall.gov.uk www.flickr.com/walsallworks @Walsallworks Search for Walsallworks