Agenda and minutes

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors F M Gordon and C Thomas.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

The Chair indicated and apologised that Lindsay Harvey (Chief Education Officer) was unable to attend the CAC as he had been required to another meeting. He would be invited to attend the February meeting along with Helen Morgan-Rees.

He indicated that Councillor J A Raynor, Cabinet Member for Education had attended in order to receive an update on the NEET’s review and outline a further possible topic area for the CAC to consider.

Members of the Committee discussed with the Cabinet Member the information, data, statistics and evidence received to date from Officers and referred to the survey sent to all schools before Christmas. Feedback and results from the survey is expected to be presented to the February meeting.

Councillor Raynor referred to the sustainability of the current Post 16 provision and what is it actually achieving in preparing and equipping young people to be ready for the working environment.

She suggested that the CAC contact relevant business organisations and various local employers to gain their views on the suitability and relevant skills of young people entering the job market and ask what they need and require from young people and the education system.

The Committee discussed the possible organisations and businesses to contact to request their views such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Swansea BID, 3Ms, Princess Trust. The Authority’s Business Support Unit was also suggested as a contact point for contacting local firms.

RESOLVED that various local businesses and business organisations be contacted for their views on the current suitability and skills of young people entering employment for the first time.