Richmond Oldfield Skills’Centre

Purposes To provide information on the New Skills Centre in Richmond Consider the opportunities and challenges in setting up vocational pathways

Life for some of our young people 4.1 million live in poverty 2 million children go without at least two things they need such as three meals a day, toys or adequate clothes Two thirds of heads of households in social housing are unemployed 16% of children live in households where no one works 40,00 girls under 18 become pregnant each year Around 10% of children between the age of 5 and 15 experience some sort of mental disorder Infants born to fathers in unskilled or semi skilled occupations have infant mortality rates over 70% higher than those in professional and managerial positions

Improve Vocational Education Still seen as the weakest link in the English system We need ‘to raise the status and quality of voc ed’ Labour manifesto ‘The big problem for the English system is the cotinuing low regard within which the vocational sytem is held’ An Analysis of UK Skills and Education, The Work Foundation ‘WE need to make it a real choice for all young people to pursue voc courses’ White Paper

Vision “All young people in the borough of Richmond upon Thames will have access to a comprehensive range of inclusive, high quality work related learning opportunities that meet individual needs and contribute to the maximisation of their potential. They will receive guidance and support in order to make well-informed choices that will enhance their overall learning experience and encourage further study progression and achievement”

Strategic Framework for Collaboration Vision and Direction Target setting Planning, quality,funding and resources Consultation and review Local prospectus

Richmond Partnership Lead partner Richmond Local Authority? Main deliver The Richmond upon Thames College Connexions Youth Service Schools

Project summary New introductory courses in hairdressing/beauty and construction crafts Key skills - working with others Courses are at pre-entry to level 1 Progression routes to RuTC, Apprenticeship schemes and E2E Enrichment courses

Meeting needs of the following groups Young people identified as needing more local courses; Pupils on/off school roll at risk of not progressing or achieving Pupils on alternative programmes in schools PRS Vocational Integrated Programme Youth Offenders in/out of school

Induction of students Objectives and nature of ESF project Overview of qualifications Progression routes Career opportunities Individual learner records Basic skills initial diagnostic assessment – literacy focus

Links with employers Sponsored by Paul Mitchell Work experience Local employers Trips arranged to hair shows Lecturer from business

Opportunities Development of an under-used building Partnership working Creative curriculum opportunity Curriculum pathways Closer contact with employers

Challenges ESF!!! Recruitment of students Recruitment of staff Suitable work experience for construction Funding Sustainability