WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME I was asked by a member on CYAB-The Debate for a breakdown of apprenticeship rates for West Dunbartonshire Council apprentices. Below is a copy of the press release which I sent out in August 2014. This gives a good idea of the Councils efforts to help young people to secure employment. I have also added the apprentice rates of pay as requested. Council Well on Target to Achieve another Thousand Jobs At a meeting of Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board on 20th August, 2014 CPP members received a progress report on the Councils Jobs Growth and Investment Framework. The aim of the framework was to create up to 1,000 jobs, apprenticeships and training places within a timescale of 1,000 days. This initiative offers residents of West Dunbartonshire, particularly young people, assistance to access suitable employment or training opportunities, improving qualifications and longer term labour market prospects. This initiative was supported by an investment of £3.15 million over two financial years. A further £250,000 of recurring funding was also invested by Council in 2014. £50,000 is also set aside on an annual basis to fund the driving lessons scheme. By 11 February 2014 the target of 1000 jobs was achieved. This was within 650 days, almost one full year ahead of the expected date. The report to Community Planning West Dunbartonshire noted the success of the Councils 2012 initiative of delivering 1,000 jobs in 1,000 days. Funding from Skills Development Scotland, DWP, West College Scotland and the European Social Fund (ESF) has been critical in ensuring the success of this initiative. Council Leader Martin Rooney said: “The Councils one thousand jobs in one thousand days is without doubt a great success story. It has been a cross-party initiative and has been supported by a range of partners in the public and private sectors. Our partnership approach has helped to secure additional funding from the Scottish Government and UK departments. As well as securing additional funding partners have worked together to deliver projects such as the Youth Jobs Hub in Dumbarton, and to reduce duplication and better target our combined resources.” Following the successful delivery of the 1,000 jobs a new target of delivering another 1,000 jobs by the May 2017 was agreed at the Council budget in February 2014. The new initiative began 12 February 2014 and by 6 August 2014, 473 jobs had been secured within 177 days. The Council is already in the process of recruiting another 90 apprentices this year and should complete the recruitment in October. The Community Planning Management Board endorsed the work of the Council and our partners and gave a commitment to the initiative. The Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board comprises: (i) Skills Developments Scotland; (ii) the Department of Work & Pensions; (iii) West College Scotland; (iv) Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; (v) Police Scotland; (vi) the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service; (vii) West Dunbartonshire Community Volunteer Service; (viii) West Dunbartonshire Community Health & Care Partnership; (ix) Scottish Enterprise; (x) Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park; (xi) Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce; (xii) Job Centre Plus; (xiii) Scottish Canals; (xiv) West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust; and (xv) a representative of the Scottish Government; (xvi) the Councils Corporate Management Team and Councillors. Councillor Rooney added: “The tremendous efforts of Council staff and our partners demonstrate our absolute commitment to helping young people into work. Achieving 473 jobs in only six months is a fantastic achievement and shows that we are well on track to achieve another one thousand jobs before May 2017 deadline.” “As well as the 90 apprentices that the Council are taking on this year partners will be supporting apprentices across the Council area. In 2013/14 Skills Development Scotland supported 763 Modern Apprentices in West Dunbartonshire and responded to employer demand in the area for 581 Modern Apprenticeship starts in 2013.” “The wider investment in West Dunbartonshire such as the three new care homes in Rosshead, Duntocher, and Garshake will result in more job availability across the Council area. In addition the relocation of Haven Products to Clydebank brings 84 jobs and the company plans to recruit around another 110 staff. It is also expected that investments across the Council area such as a new hotel in Balloch; the development of Queens Quay in Clydebank; the Mitchell Way development in Alexandria; the Council’s partnership with Wheatley Group to build hundreds of homes; the continued development of Lomondgate in Vale of Leven and many other infrastructure improvements such as the Councils new Care Homes, Leisure Centre, Council building and schools will lead to more construction jobs and more continuing jobs in new business developments. It will take time to fully realise the benefits of these investments and the Community Planning partners will continue to explore new opportunities that may become available. The Jobs Growth and Investment Framework is integrated with core Council and partner activity to create sustainable work and training opportunities. It has diversified routes into routes into employment, in particular by extending the range and quality of Modern Apprenticeships. Both Supply and Demand side initiatives are contributing to the 1000 jobs target. Supply side initiatives focus on developing the supply of labour and provide qualifications, training, job coaching and development support so that participants are more ready for the world of work. It also provides a significant range of new Modern Apprenticeships. Demand side initiatives build on the existing range of business support and grants provided by the Council, increasing the capacity of employers to create and sustain new job opportunities. NOTES The initiatives that contribute to the 1000 jobs target were: • Working 4U – An integrated delivery model including Community Learning & Development, Employability and Advice Services • West Employability Hub – A project designed to facilitate co-location of services and joint delivery models that include Working 4U, Job Centre Plus, West College Scotland and other delivery partners • Level 2 Modern Apprenticeships – Providing employment with training opportunities of between 9 to 18 months linked to local growth sectors • Level 3 Modern Apprenticeships – Providing employment with training opportunities across a range of sectors of between 2 and 4 years • Driving lessons scheme – providing free driving lessons for young people to improve their skills, confidence and employment prospects. • Employability Fund – Providing young people with sector specific qualifications, employability training and the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, often leading to employment. • Strive – A specific employability programme delivered by a third sector provider. • Youth Employment Scotland – This grant provides financial incentives to businesses to recruit young people aged 16-24 • Employment Grant (25+) – This grant provides a financial incentive to businesses to assist with up to 50% of wage costs for a maximum of 26 weeks, to provide employment opportunities for local people over the age of 25 • Social Enterprise Challenge – Working collaboratively with Firstport to provide financial support, advice and assistance to individuals and groups to establish new social enterprises that have the potential to create job opportunities • Business Growth Investment – Provides financial investment to local businesses that have growth potential to assist them to create local jobs • Start up and Aftercare support – Providing additional advice and support to businesses delivered through the Business Gateway Service. Analysis - 1000 jobs in 1000 days Jobs By Broad Sector Private Sector 671 jobs (67.10%) Public Sector 282 jobs (28.20%) Third Sector 47 jobs (4.70%) Total 1000 Jobs Private sector jobs by category Agriculture & Horticulture: 12 Business & professional services: 74 Business Administration: 24 Care : 80 Construction: 103 Energy / utilities: 14 Engineering: 20 Food and Drink: 73 IT/ICT: 7 Manufacturing: 59 Personal Services: 37 Tourism Leisure: 23 Transport, Storage and Distribution: 64 Wholesale/ Retail: 72 Other (self employed not categorised): 9 Total Private sector jobs 671 Public sector jobs by category Business Administration: 57 Care: 75 Catering: 8 Construction: 29 Education : 35 Environmental: 57 Tourism & leisure: 18 Transport / vehicles: 3 Total Public sector jobs: 282 Third sector jobs by category Business Administration: 5 Care: 26 Construction: 2 Energy / utilities / environmental: 8 Transport, storage & distribution: 3 Wholesale retail: 3 Total Third sector: 47 Apprenticeship Rates in West Dunbartonshire as at April, 2014 Level 2 Apprentices The National Minimum Wage was £2.73 per hour for Level 2 apprentices. The L2 NMW is rate is paid by: (i) Ayrshire, East; (ii) Ayrshire, North; and (iii) Inverclyde Councils. West Dunbartonshire Level two apprentices were paid higher than the National Minimum Wage for apprentices at £3.57 per hour. Based on a 35 hour week this would mean a weekly wage of £124.95. Level 3 Apprentices receive an annual wage based on 35 hours. The rates are set out below. 1st year £4.54 per hour; £158.90 per week; £8,285 per year. 2nd year £5.57 per hour; £194.95 per week; £10,165 per year 3rd year £7.75 per hour; £271.25 per week; £14,143 per year. 4th year £9.36 per hour; £327.60 per week; £17,081 per year.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:31:05 +0000
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