1. Preparing for the Levy – sharing good practice
Toni Compai
Director of HR

2. Council Plan pledges
Apprenticeships support achievement of Council Plan pledges:
developing the skills of local people
providing young people with economic independence through improving their opportunity to obtain sustainable employment
bringing young people into the workforce
involving the local community in the delivery of local services

3. Council Experience Directly employed apprentices pre 2012
pre 2012, Council offered opportunities against approx. 10 apprentice frameworks (mainly traditional craft and engineering roles).
ATA partnership with Learning Unlimited since 2012
330 ATA apprentices commenced placements to date
by 2016 Council offered opportunities against 29 apprentice frameworks
94% of those who have successfully completed their apprenticeship, gained employment within the Council or with another organisation
Approx. 350 existing employees also undertaken apprenticeships since 2012 (not via ATA)
Council has also invested in excess of £500,000 of age related grants to enable SMEs to provide around 300 new apprentice opportunities

4. Apprentice & Manager Experience
Apprentice & manager experience indicates:
Apprentices:
95% were either very satisfied or satisfied by their placement
90% were very satisfied or satisfied with manager support
86% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the balance of work experience and training
Managers:
98% believed apprenticeships give young people skills the council values
100% believed that apprentices developed new skills which enabled them to become more effective in their work roles
96% thought the apprenticeship gave young people the relevant skills and knowledge to make the step into employment with the council
Good foundation to build on –
DCC apprenticeships highly regarded in local community
Apprenticeships valued by managers resulting in opening up of new opportunities / vocational areas

5. Why a new approach? National changes:
Apprenticeship Levy (from April 2017)
Public Sector Apprentice Targets (from Autumn 2016)
Learning Unlimited ATA contract expires (30 June 2016)

6. Implications for Derbyshire CC
LA maintained schools included in levy & target calculations:
Levy – est. annual contribution approx. £2.2m (£1.3m resulting from inclusion of LA schools)
Public Sector Target – current est. 796 apprentices
79 Learning Unlimited ATA apprentices on placement at end of contract
ATA Legacy Agreement required until 30 September 2019
Indications are that Council will be able to utilise levy to support existing employees to undertake apprenticeships for development purposes and could contribute to target returns

7. What are we doing? Project Exclusions Three main areas:
Developing new, directly employed Internal Apprenticeship model
Adopting apprenticeships as preferred qualification delivery route for existing employees where appropriate
Influencing National Apprenticeship Agenda
Cabinet approved the development of a directly employed Internal Apprenticeship Scheme as the most effective approach to delivering against the Council’s apprenticeship targets.
Implementing this apprenticeship model will maximise the Council’s use of levy and contribute towards addressing the Public Sector targets.
Project Inclusions
All Council departments and services that are subject to the Apprenticeship Levy and Public Sector Targets including local authority maintained schools.
The Apprenticeship Strategy Group has been established which will undertake and direct the required activities to achieve the project objectives.
Project Exclusions
Academies, Free Schools and education establishments not maintained by the authority

8. How are we doing it?
Apprenticeship Strategy Group to undertake / co-ordinate work around:
Learning Unlimited Apprentice Legacy Agreement
Mapping of all Council roles against apprenticeship standards / frameworks identifying any gaps in provision
School Apprenticeship engagement and communication strategy
Joint Council / Trade Union Apprenticeship Agreement
Advantages of being an employer & SFA approved provider?
Developing Internal Apprenticeship Scheme strategy, policy and procedures (inc new Apprenticeship Employment Contract)
Developing a strategy for procuring training providers
Maximising the financial benefit derived from levy contributions
Directly employed model
Fixed term training contract based on Derbyshire Package terms and conditions
National Minimum Wage rates:
16 – 17 year olds: £3.87 per hour
18 – 20 year olds: £5.30 per hour
21 – 24 year olds: £6.70
25+ year olds: £7.20
Apprenticeship mentoring scheme to be considered for all new apprentices

9. Influencing National Agenda
Trailblazer Standards
Regulatory Services (trailblazer lead)
Children & Younger Peoples Workforce (trailblazer contributor)
Mapping exercise
identify gaps and influence further Trailblazer development
Digital Apprenticeship Service pilot
participating in 3 month testing of search functions
Collaboration
at national, regional and local level (inc LGA, C&G, East Midlands region, D2N2, other authorities etc)
What we are doing and urge others to get involved similarly especially around ensuring the need for new trailblazers specific to LA needs are identified and developed

10. New Scheme Benefits #1
Single point of Apprenticeship Strategy management and co-ordination will:
avoid duplication and
ensure the most effective delivery against the Council’s and the national apprenticeship agendas
Maximising RIO against Apprenticeship Levy contributions.
Meet obligations resulting from the introduction of Public Sector Apprenticeship Targets.

11. New Scheme Benefits #2
Apprenticeship intake complements other approaches to bringing young people into the workforce
Redress an ageing workforce through planned intakes of apprentices.
Addresses future potential skills gaps in the Council.
Supports economic growth and increasing youth employment opportunities in Derbyshire.
Contributes to Council aim: all Children who have been in Care are in education, employment or training
Increased profile of apprenticeships as valid alternative for young people in Derbyshire.

12. Any Questions?

13. For further information contact:
Steve Smith or