23 March 2010
Skills Jersey today released three reports highlighting 2009 successes and ambitious plans for the year ahead. The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, Deputy James Reed, who is the Chairman of the Skills Executive, has sent copies of the Skills Board Annual Report 2009, the Annual Report on Skills and Skills Requirements 2010 and the Skills Jersey 2010 Business Plan to States members, Chief Officers, education staff and Jersey business leaders.
The Skills Board Annual Report provides an analysis of the work undertaken by Skills Jersey since its creation at the end of 2008. This includes:
• the reorganisation of careers advice provided by the States and the creation of a single all age service, located in St Helier, in close proximity to Social Services and Youth Service provision
• active work undertaken to encourage improvement in literacy and numeracy among young people and adults
• extensive research, validated by local enterprises to identify the key skills required by employers
• close liaison with schools, Highlands College and the Department for Education Sport and Culture to develop those key skills and to extend opportunities for young people to follow programmes of vocational education from the age of 14 onwards
• an ongoing review of local apprenticeship schemes
• active research and investment in the development of locally delivered programmes of higher education in strategically important areas – finance, IT, Childcare studies
• the development of provision to meet the needs of local unemployed people during the period of recession. In particular a very successful ‘Advance to Work’ programme for unemployed 16 to 19 year olds- a scheme that offers short intensive courses to re-skill unemployed adults in areas where vacancies exist. Plus an increase in the number of careers events and job fairs to enable employers and job seekers to meet face to face
• ongoing concern for the most vulnerable groups in the employment market – those with special needs, ex prisoners etc.
The Annual Report on Skills and Skills Requirements 2010 encapsulates information from Skills Jersey research and a number of other sources to provide advice to employers, learners, job seekers, education and training providers and States agencies on employer and learner needs. Early feedback suggests that it has been well received by its intended audience.
The third document (Skills Jersey 2010 Business Plan), builds on the other reports to outline an ambitions plan of activity for Skills Jersey during 2010. Among the actions and targets for this year are:
• the launch of a pilot vocational option for 14+ year olds
• a contribution to the review of secondary education currently being undertaken by the Department for Education Sport and Culture
• the launch of more locally delivered programmes of higher education
• the publication of sector specific reviews of local industry and commerce on order to better understand skill needs within each sector
• the launch of new style apprenticeship schemes
• greater involvement in the support of those who experience difficulty in finding employment
Deputy James Reed stated;
“I am delighted with the progress that Skills Jersey has made since its creation at the end of 2008. The three parent States departments, which include ESC, Social Security and Economic Development, have developed excellent working relationships with our colleagues within the Jersey business community. I’m looking forward to Skills Jersey achieving its ambitious goals for 2010 which will help the further development of skills in the island”.
Skills Jersey on Jersey Enterprise website
gov.je