The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services reported that as part of the Council Budget 2009/2010 resolutions, officers were asked to explore the possibilities for developing an apprenticeship scheme across the public and private sector similar to the Knowsley Apprentice scheme. He presented an approach to delivering such a scheme in Wirral, supported through Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) resources to a maximum of £1.7m. He commented that the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill (February 2009) would put apprenticeships on a statutory basis and establish the entitlement to an apprenticeship place for every suitably qualified young person who wanted one – with a choice of two industry or service sectors. He set out the upcoming local authority duty to ensure participation and quality for 16-18 year olds and provided an outline of the basic operating principles.

In considering the approach to delivery, the Director reported that the LSC currently funded work based learning providers directly for the training element of the apprenticeship programme and whilst there were indicative regional and contractual budgets, funding was allocated to providers on the principles of the demand led model. Wirral therefore, intended to deliver a programme of direct support to employers in order to stimulate the supply of available apprentice places in the workplace. He commented that taking account of the current economic climate, a wage subsidy model was proposed and he provided a case study of the approach taken by Knowsley MBC, upon which the Wirral scheme was based.

Resolved –

(1) That the approach to delivering the Wirral Apprenticeship Programme be approved.

(2) That officers be authorised to proceed to implementation subject to endorsement of strategic fit for use of WNF by the Wirral Economic Development & Skills Partnership.

(3) That the officers be requested to investigate additional sources of funding of the Apprenticeship Programme.