Issue - meetings

Background:

This report set out the draft Medway 16 -19 Strategy which was intended to bring together a plan to increase participation in learning for 16 and 17 year olds, improve the transition for young people into the labour market and reduce the levels of those not in education, employment and training (NEET) and in ‘not known’ destinations aged 16-19 years. The youth labour market had some unique differences to the general labour market. The case for action was very clear that the education and skills environment was not separate from the economy and the economy could not be detached from education and skills. The strategy was about long term sustainable development, balancing and building on the synergies between learning, economic growth and social inclusion.

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 26 May 2016 and its comments were set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment was included with the report at Appendix 4.

Reasons:

Approval of this strategy would enable to Council to bring together a plan to increase participation in learning for 16 and 17 year olds, improve the transition for young people into the labour market and reduce the levels of those not in education, employment and training (NEET) and in ‘not known’ destinations aged 16-19 years

Approval of the strategy would also assist the Council in meeting the expectation of Ofsted for Medway to develop further the 16 -19 strategy to ensure that it met the needs of 18 year olds more effectively, to help them achieve well academically and to move successfully on to education, training and employment.