Issue - meetings

(i)             to note that officers would include information in relation to measures of success with apprenticeships and some detail about what was available for all ages across the workforce, in the annual update on Developing the Young Workforce / Apprenticeship / Internship Update which was due to Committee at the next meeting;

(ii)            to note that officers could circulate information to Members on the disability working group (which formed part of the Equalities Working Groups headed up by People and Citizen Services) and the work being undertaken with third sector partner organisations in relation to opportunities for disabled people;

(iii)          to note that officers would take on board the request that information be included in future reports on the work being undertaken in respect of disabled people having apprenticeship opportunities; and

(iv)          to note the actions contained in the report being taken to address workforce capacity challenges, including in respect of ‘hard to fill’ roles.

The Committee had before it a report by the Executive Director – Corporate Services which set out the approach being taken by the Council in relation to workforce planning, in the context of challenges in building workforce capacity.  The report also provided information  in respect of the current job roles which were classed as ‘hard to fill’, and which proved a challenge in terms of recruitment, setting out the actions being undertaken to mitigate these challenges.

Members asked several questions on the report, particularly in relation to what was being done for those with disabilities; and how the Council was measuring success with apprenticeships, including whether the Council provided training; how apprentices moved through the organisation; gender balance; and whether there were any barriers.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee note the actions contained in the report being taken to address workforce capacity challenges, including in respect of ‘hard to fill’ roles.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers would include information in relation to measures of success with apprenticeships and some detail about what was available for all ages across the workforce, in the annual update on Developing the Young Workforce / Apprenticeship / Internship Update which was due to Committee at the next meeting;

(ii)       to note that officers would circulate information to Members on the disability working group (which formed part of the Equalities Working Groups headed up by People and Citizen Services) and the work being undertaken with third sector partner organisations in relation to opportunities for disabled people;

(iii)      to note that officers would take on board the request that information be included in future reports on the work being undertaken in respect of disabled people having apprenticeship opportunities; and

(iv)      to otherwise note the report.