Crisis Conference 2011

Crisis Conference 2011

Session 2: Removing the barriers to skills training

Crisis Conference 2011

Matthew Green, Head of Crisis Skylight Birmingham

The Crisis Skylight Birmingham model of provision

Crisis Conference 2011

Crisis Skylight Birmingham• An arts, education, employment & training service for single

homeless adults• Use outreach model as an innovative approach to delivery• NOCN & OCR Approved provider• Based in Birmingham City Centre – strategically placed near the

majority of organisations providing homelessness services.

Crisis Conference 2011

Outreach• A non threatening model of setting up new services in an area• Allows breadth of delivery City wide rather than limiting to one

specific area if building based.• Encourages and relies on strong partnerships with other

organisations

Crisis Conference 2011

Outreach - challenges• Rely on others’ resources – can’t always guarantee quality venues

or equipment• Can be overstretched in terms of numbers of organisations wanting

the service• Limits the amount of sessions that can be run i.e. travel time etc• Rely heavily on partners i.e. availability of venue etc• Expectations, understanding and communication between partners

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Skylight Birmingham’s outcomes• 413 members signed up• 316 engaged in at least one learning activity• 18 members have entered employment• 42 members entered further education, training or volunteering• 50+ members have achieved a qualification• 75+ total qualifications achieved

Crisis Conference 2011

Lessons learned• Outreach works if you are clear on what you are doing…May seem

obvious but…• Ensure the service is strategically relevant – access and be

proactive on key strategic focus groups. Outreach is essentially invisible!

• Have clear expectations of what is needed to deliver a quality service – Joint Working Agreements with partner organisations

• Understand capacity and need against demands of organisations within the sector and beyond

• Focus on meeting need / filling gaps in existing provision in the sector

DELIVERING THE SKILLS STRATEGY

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Skills contribute to a wide range of desirable outcomes

Economic objectives

Skills

Productivity Employment

Sustainable Growth

Social objectives

Personal Well-Being

Stronger communities

Greater social mobility

Greater social inclusion

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Or at the intermediate level.

UK comparison with OECD countries at Level 2/3+ equivalent

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Czech

Rep

.

Slovak

Rep

.

USA

Poland

Canad

a

Switzer

land

Germ

any

Sweden

Finlan

d

Austri

a

Norway

Hunga

ry

Korea

Denm

ark

Nethe

rland

s

New Z

ealan

d

Franc

e

Austra

lia UK

Belgium

Irelan

dChil

e

Luxe

mbo

urg

Icelan

d

Greec

eIta

ly

Spain

Mex

ico

Turke

y

Portu

gal

OECD ave

rage

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Previous Policy Approach

Skills are only one driver of productivity – why do we focus so much on skills?

Why are we giving money to employers

for training they would have

delivered anyway?

Employers would value investment in short courses and higher level skills

more

We are overly focussed on up-

skilling but re-skilling is just as important

Our targets are unaffordable and

unrealistic – and drive the wrong behaviours

System is overly bureaucratic,

complex and difficult to access

Too much provider capture and too

many intermediaries deciding what the

system should deliver

Too many skills gaps and shortages

Universities aren’t responsive to skills needs of business

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The skills strategy sets out how we will reform the skills system to contribute to:

• Sustainable Growth

• The Big Society

• Social Mobility

• Social Inclusion

The economic crisis created a requirement for reform

… delivered through the coalition's principles of:

• Freedom

• Fairness

• Responsibility

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Skills for Growth – the philosophy

“The Government must return the economy to sustainable growth…..”

“Apprenticeships are at the heart of the system we will build…”

“the introduction of professional standards in particular occupations in appropriate sectors would support growth…”

“..support employer-led innovation…”

“…raise the profile of vocational skills … and inspire young people…”

“..business start ups and entrepreneurialism will be a key driver of economic growth…”

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Skills for Growth – the policies

• Expand and improve apprenticeship programme• More• More at Level 3• Better progression into and out of apprenticeships• More recognition for apprenticeships

• Ensure vocational qualifications reflect the changing needs of employers

• Reduce the reliance of some sectors of our economy on migration

• Widespread teaching of entrepreneurial skills

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Skills for a fair society – the philosophy

“the Government understands its responsibility to ensure that everyone has the basic skills they need to access employment and participate in civil society….”

“We will protect funding for informal adult and community learning.”

“…support the transition from education to work…”

“support specific training for those on active benefits…”

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Skills for a fair society – the policies

• State funding for basic literacy and numeracy continues – and made more effective

• State funding for targeted training for people on active benefits

• Reinvigorate and reform informal adult and community learning

• Simplified learner support offer

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A shared responsibility for skills – the philosophy

“…the Government cannot tackle the skills challenge on its own…”

“…employers and learners must take more responsibility…”

“…but to facilitate that they must have good quality information and access to finance…”

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A shared responsibility for skills – the policies

• FE Loans from 2013/14

• Lifelong Learning Accounts

• All-age careers service

• Reformed UKCES driving strong employer-leadership of sectors

• High performing workplaces

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A reformed system with greater freedom – the philosophy

“control should be devolved from central government to citizens, employers and communities…”

“..free providers from excessively bureaucratic control…”

“..increase competition between training providers to encourage greater diversity of provision…”

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A reformed system with greater freedom – the policies

• No more top down skills targets

• Streamline organisational landscape

• Remove regulations to free colleges to deliver for their local communities

• Act decisively to tackle unacceptable performance