Agenda item

To provide Cabinet with an update on the work of Career Track, the Council’s Apprenticeship training provider.

To seek Cabinet’s approval to continue its support for Career Track and to acknowledge the outcome of the recent Ofsted visit.

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

1.      continues to support the Career Track function as a mechanism to contribute to the Council meeting its corporate priorities;

2.      acknowledges that the long term cost of providing a ‘subsidy’ will need to be considered as part of developing the long term financial forecast, but noting that the Career Track Service will continue to work towards reducing the overall subsidy required where possible, with a future report being presented to Cabinet on alternative solutions;

3.      notes the wider update about the Career Track Service including the OneFile eportfolio system;

4.      endorses and approves the appointment of the governors to the Governance Board; and

5.      welcomes the outcome of the Ofsted visit.

Cabinet considered a report of the Partnerships Portfolio Holder (A.5), which provided it with an update on the work of Career Track, the Council’s Apprenticeship training provider. The report also sought Cabinet’s approval to continue its support for Career Track and to acknowledge the outcome of the recent Ofsted visit.

It was reported that Career Track was registered with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as an Independent Training Provider and was subject to inspection from Ofsted. It was able to provide apprenticeships not only for this Council but also for any other employer. Many of Career Track’s clients were fellow local authorities or small businesses within Tendring, this had been the case since its founding in 1983.  In providing apprenticeships to local businesses and local authorities Career Track was operating within its existing capacity. The staffing establishment for Career Track was kept to the minimum possible for it to maintain approval with Ofsted and ESFA. No additional impacts occurred as a result of providing a service to other clients.

Members were informed that, as part of its commitment to providing work and learning opportunities for those who might otherwise struggle, Career Track had always been strongly supported by this Council.  It was seen as a key mechanism for young people across the District to work and have a career within Tendring.

Cabinet was reminded that Career Track did not operate to make a profit. It received funding via the ESFA to deliver apprenticeships however, this did not cover its full costs. The shortfall was predominately as a result of increased costs since 2017. There had been no change in the fees allowable as set by Government when the current apprenticeship system had been created seven years ago. 

Cabinet was made aware that the national downturn in the number of people taking up apprenticeships was reflected in Career Track facing an increased challenge with gaining the engagement of employers.  To assist with mitigating the revenue shortfall Career Track provided apprenticeships predominantly for other local authorities.  This created an additional revenue stream to further support the provision of the service. 

Members noted that, as had always been the case, there were a number of other apprenticeship providers within the area, the most notable of which were Colchester Institute and Adult Community Learning (ACL) which was part of Essex County Council. Nationally with increased regulation over recent years the overall number of independent training providers had reduced. Locally, for example Catten College, which had been trading for more than 30 years, had closed in 2019. However, with distance learning increasingly offered, the total variety of options had increased as some providers now offerred apprenticeship training throughout the country. 

In order to enable other local authorities to meet their organisational apprenticeship procurement requirements it was becoming clear that there was a need to review the current operating model for Career Track.  The Council would need to review those terms and conditions, responsibilities and obligations and to seek Cabinet’s approval with an associated business case going forward.

It was felt that Career Track offered an almost unique model in that its primary aim always had and always would be, to provide learning opportunities for the people of Tendring. It would always focus its capacity in the area and to prioritise this over and above any other provision. It provided a special talent pipeline for the organisation which was key for the recruitment and development of staff. Although the precise figure was not known, it was estimated that approximately 20% of the organisation’s staff had begun their career at Tendring District Council as a Career Track apprentice. The staff team had a detailed understanding of local authority requirements and of the District. This was something no other training provider could match. The ongoing one to one support for apprentices and the skills of one staff member as a training Special Needs Co-ordinator enabled Career Track to support learners who might not have had a positive experience in formal education, be neurodiverse or may have complex home circumstances.

Members were advised that, if Career Track was not supported by the Council to continue there would certainly be other providers who could step in but the level of service and personalisation along with the detailed knowledge previously outlined would be lost. Consequently, it was likely that success rates and retention rates would decline from the current 80%.

Cabinet was reminded that, as well as providing an overall update this report updated it on the Ofsted visit in November 2023 which had resulted in Career Track receiving a ‘Good’ rating from the Inspectorate.  Ofsted had previously graded Career Track as a ‘requires improvement’ provider in 2021; though when they had again visited the following year they had been able to identify that ‘reasonable progress’ had been made.  The full inspection in November 2023 had completed the re-inspection cycle and had left Career Track in a strong position going forward.

In order to enable Career Track to maintain their ‘Good’ Ofsted grade and to continue to contribute to the economic, health and social wellbeing of the District:-

It was moved by Councillor Placey, seconded by Councillor Baker and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

1.      continues to support the Career Track function as a mechanism to contribute to the Council meeting its corporate priorities;

2.      acknowledges that the long term cost of providing a ‘subsidy’ will need to be considered as part of developing the long term financial forecast, but noting that the Career Track Service will continue to work towards reducing the overall subsidy required where possible, with a future report being presented to Cabinet on alternative solutions;

3.      notes the wider update about the Career Track Service including the OneFile eportfolio system;

4.      endorses and approves the appointment of the governors to the Governance Board; and

5.      welcomes the outcome of the Ofsted visit.