Oxfordshire Skills Needs Analysisinsight.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/system/files... · Oxfordshire...

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Oxfordshire Skills Needs Analysis __________________________________________________________ Evidence Base Business and Skill Bureau Oxfordshire County Council November 2011

Transcript of Oxfordshire Skills Needs Analysisinsight.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/system/files... · Oxfordshire...

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Oxfordshire Skills Needs Analysis

__________________________________________________________

Evidence Base

Business and Skill Bureau Oxfordshire County Council

November 2011

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Contents

Sources of data and information

3

Introduction

4

Section 1 - Existing Skills Priorities

5

Section 2 - Oxfordshire Context

2.1 Demographics

2.2 An overview of the local economy

2.3 Provider base

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10

10

19

Section 3 - Skills Needs Assessment

3.1 Employer Skills Needs

3.2 Unemployment

3.3 16-19 Participation in Education and Training

3.4 STEM Subject Participation

3.5 Travel to Learn for 16-19 year olds

3.6 Young People with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities

3.7 Participation in Apprenticeships

3.8 Adult Participation in Skills Funding Agency Funded

Provision

3.9 Level 2 and 3 Attainment by 19

3.10 Success Rates by Provider Type

3.11 Infrastructure

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Glossary

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Sources of data and information ______________________________________________________________ CBI – Fulfilling Potential: The Business Role in Education – September 2010

Connexions Annual Activity Survey

Connexions NEET Data Reports

Data Dashboard (Learningplus UK)

DfE First Statistical Releases

DfE Research and Statistics Gateway

National Apprenticeship Service performance reports

Office for National Statistics reports

Oxfordshire City-Region Enterprise Partnership Bid

Oxfordshire Children and Young Peoples Plan

Oxfordshire County Council‟s Corporate Plan 2011/12 – 2015/16

Oxfordshire Data Observatory

Oxfordshire Data Observatory – „This Is Oxfordshire‟ April 2010

Oxfordshire Economic Assessment – 19th May 2010

Oxfordshire Employer Skills Study 2010

Oxfordshire Workplace Learning Model – June 2010

SEEDAs Skills Priorities Statement for the South-East of England 2011-12

Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Data reports

UKCES The Youth Inquiry – Employers‟ perspectives on tackling youth

unemployment – March 2011

UKCES Skills for Jobs: Today and Tomorrow

Young People‟s Learning Agency (YPLA) Statistical Analysis

YPLA Core Data Tables

YPLA Pivot Tables

YPLA Provider Gateway

2001 Census Data

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Introduction ___________________________________________________________________

Oxfordshire‟s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) wants to ensure that the education

and training provision available in Oxfordshire matches local need. One of its key

programmes is around improving the skills of Oxfordshire‟s workforce and those

about to enter it, to improve their employability

The LEP Executive Board has identified a need for gathering information around

skills to produce this statement of skills needs which will be used to help identify

priorities for the LEP and Local Authority (LA) to take forward and identify how other

key skills stakeholders can be involved in support of this agenda.

The statement will also help providers to plan their offer and utilise public funding to

contribute to local economic priorities as stated in the Department for Business,

Innovation and Skills document „Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth‟.

In developing the statement, the Oxfordshire Skills Board will:

Take account of all Oxfordshire residents including those with learning

difficulties and/or disabilities.

Gather the views of employers, training providers, and potential learners to

ensure that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to contribute.

Sections 1 – 3 provide underpinning context and data which has been used to

inform the priorities for the future which are outlined in the Oxfordshire Skills Needs

Assessment.

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Section 1 - Existing Skills Priorities _____________________________________________________ Oxfordshire County Council’s Corporate plan, 2011/12 – 2015/16 includes the

following priority for action:

“Skills Levels – We will work with others to link adult skills provision to the needs of

the local economy, reduce the number of people not in education, employment or

training (NEET). We will also expand apprenticeship provision, particularly amongst

public sector organisations and local businesses.”

A priority for action identified in Oxfordshire‟s economic assessment (May 2010) is to

“develop skills levels in general and in the areas of technicians, new skills for new

industries and improved readiness for employment”.

The Children and Young People‟s Plan 2010-13 (CYPP) sets out the strategic

direction and priorities for Oxfordshire in response to the county‟s Sustainable

Community Strategy and national policies.

The headline priorities identified within the CYPP relevant to skills are:

Raising achievement for all children and young people.

Narrowing the gap for the most vulnerable groups.

Increase the percentage of 17 year olds participating in education and work-

based learning.

Reduce the percentage of 16-18 year olds in employment with no training.

Increase the percentage of learners with learning difficulties/disabilities

(LLDD) moving to full-time education or employment

Increase the percentage of young people achieving a level 3 by the age of 19.

Relevant Oxfordshire County Council targets

Apprenticeship Starts

16-18: Increase starts from 1,013 in 2009/10 to 1,553 by 2013/14.

19-24: Increase starts from 1,082 in 2009/10 to 1,375 by 2013/14.

25+: Increase starts from 448 in 2009/10 to 550 by 2013/14.

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Percentage of Working Age Population with L1, 2, 3 & 4 Qualifications

NVQ1+: Increase the percentage from 84.2 in 2009 to 87.2 by 2014.

NVQ2+: Increase the percentage from 70.8 in 2009 to 73.3 by 2014.

NVQ3+: Increase the percentage from 56.1 in 2009 to 58.0 by 2014.

NVQ4+: Maintaining the percentage of 35.1.

Attainment of Level 2 & 3 by 19

Level 2: Increase from 79.4% in 2009/10 to 92.3% by 2013/14.

Level 3: Increase from 58.0% in 2009/10 to 70.9% by 2013/14.

Attainment of Level 2 & 3 by 19 for those on Free School Meals (FSM)

Level 2: Increase from 46.7% in 2009/10 to 66.7% by 2013/14.

Level 3: Increase from 24.5% in 2009/10 to 45.9% by 2013/14.

Oxfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) bid incudes identification of the need to address skills deficiency issues.

The LEP identifies three spatial priorities and three industry sector priorities.

The spatial priorities are:

Science Vale UK – building on its designation as a national science and

innovation campus.

Bicester – using the eco town to act as a focus for delivering sustainable

development.

Oxford – continuing to support this world class centre of education, research

and innovation.

The sector priorities are:

Low carbon and green technologies

Advanced materials and engineering

Space and other high value research and development science based

sectors.

Other sectors identified as of importance by the LEP are retail, creative and cultural

industries, tourism and the visitor economy, the military and the voluntary and

community sector.

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The LEP bid states „the skills of the workforce and of those students entering the

workforce need to be improved; including soft skills (such as behaviours, attitudes

and motivation) required to improve their employability and releasing their full

potential”.

This skills needs statement is being developed as part of the LEP‟s vision to achieve

this.

The South East England Development Agency’s (SEEDA) Skills Priorities

Statement for the South-East of England 2011-12 identifies three core objectives for

economic skills development which are to:

Develop the skills base to meet and stimulate the demands of emerging and

growth industries, especially higher level skills.

Increase the skills of those in and entering employment to improve individual

progression and to support higher levels of productivity.

Provide effective support for those areas and groups disadvantaged in the

labour market.

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has identified the following strengths, challenges

and priorities for Oxfordshire:

Skills strengths and opportunities

Central geographic location with good motorway links to London and

Birmingham, and good rail, bus and air links.

Proximity to customers, suppliers and businesses networks.

Focus on the green economy/businesses including development of Bicester

Eco-town

High level of people with level 4 qualifications and above living and working in

Oxfordshire.

85 per cent of businesses have undertaken some form of innovation activity in

past 12 months.

Half to three quarters of business expect to derive some of their turnover from

new products/services in the next 12 months.

Strong clusters promoting co-working and innovation cross-fertilisation.

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Oxford is ranked as the top university in Europe, with Oxford Brookes voted

best new university.

More publishing firms than in London.

Tradition of entrepreneurship.

Good mix of academic, public sector, high tech and manufacturing industries.

Skills challenges – current and anticipated

Transport and infrastructure, high cost of living, high property prices for

homes and business accommodation, traffic congestion.

Recruitment challenges for employers needing professionals, highly skilled

staff, technicians and skilled support staff especially in Science Vale UK.

Skills gaps affecting both recruitment and existing staff, particularly

motivation.

For existing staff, fewer workers means diversifying and trying new

things/approaches.

Behaviours, attitudes and mindsets/motivation are seen as a barrier by

employers among those newly recruited from school or college as well as

those in work already.

Low educational attainment compared with statistical neighbours.

High number of NEETS in Oxford City and Banbury.

Sector specialist or high level training not always available in the county.

Dependence on the public sector for employees is leading to job anxieties.

Lack of public/private funding – 51 per cent of employers had arranged

training for their staff compared with 64 per cent in 2008.

Fewer employers have hard to fill vacancies than in 2008 but the numbers are

higher than the UK as a whole, even though redundancies have increased the

labour supply.

Problem with young people not having enough information about their career

choices.

Barriers to workplace learning include lack of funding, reluctance to release

key staff away from the workplace and staff being too busy to undertake or

deliver training.

Unemployment levels are low, but there has been an increase in temporary

contracts and part time working.

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Skills and employment priorities

High level skills demand is likely to be in four sectors: ICT and

telecommunications, health, Government departments and agencies, and

care and development.

Demand for skills is likely to be greatest among people employed as

associate professionals in business and public services, health, social welfare

and protective services plus professionals in teaching and research, science

and technology.

Skills are also needed in the following three generic areas:

o Sector specific and technical skills – by type of business and activity

o Leadership and management skills – for managers and supervisors

o Customer service skills – „soft‟ or „job-readiness‟ skills such as

communication, self management, team working, problem solving etc.

Motivators include „compliance‟ (e.g. health and safety) and „raising the bar‟

(sector specific training and leadership and management).

Redirect public expenditure towards strategic business sectors with a

propensity for high growth.

Commercial opportunities for graduates.

Improved aspirations and guidance for young people.

Some key areas of potential for skills development, such as the Bicester Eco-

town development and the space industry around Harwell.

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Section 2 - Oxfordshire Context _____________________________________________________ 2.1 Demographics (Oxfordshire Data Observatory)

16-18

In 2012/13 the 16-18 population in Oxfordshire will continue to reduce towards 2016

after peaking in 2008/09. The 2012 16-18 population is predicted to be 22,568,

which is down from the 2011 figure of 22,973, a reduction of 405 or 1.8 per cent.

At district council level, the picture is similar with decreases expected across all local

council levels, with the notable exception of the Vale of the White Horse, where

numbers are predicted to increase by 125 or 2.5 per cent between 2008 and 2016.

The picture of decline is also evident in an analysis of the projections for each age

group within the 16-18 population, notably with 17 year olds reducing the most in

2012, both in actual (-274) and percentage (-3.6 per cent) terms.

19+

The adult population in Oxfordshire is estimated to increase year on year and

between 2012 and 2016 is projected to increase by 19,428 (3.9 per cent). The

largest growth can be seen in the two districts of Cherwell and the Vale of the White

Horse with 5.51 per cent and 5.42 per cent growth respectively. The smallest growth

is projected to be in West Oxfordshire, 2.03 per cent. As stated in the UKCES Skills

for Jobs: Today and Tomorrow an „ageing population will lead to increased demand

for care services with particularly significant volumes of staff in care assistant roles,

that will need greater understanding of ICT to support care users with assisted living

technologies‟.

2.2 An overview of the local economy

Oxfordshire’s Main Economic, Skills and Employment Characteristics

31 per cent of employees in Oxfordshire are employed in large businesses with over

200 staff, making up 1 per cent of all employers. 86 per cent of the county‟s 32,000

businesses employ 10 or fewer people.

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46 per cent of employees are in highly skilled industries with more than 40 per cent of

the working age population qualified to level 4 or higher (as at December 2010); 29

per cent of businesses are high level skills dependent.

25 per cent of businesses are in business and financial services and another 25 per

cent are in distribution, hotels and restaurants, reflecting tourism.

The dominant employment sectors in Oxfordshire are public administration,

education and health (30% of total employment), which is now Oxfordshire‟s second

largest contributor to the county‟s economy (as measured by GVA) and recent

growth has been above other sectors. Other dominant sectors are banking, finance

and insurance (22.8%) and distribution, hotels and restaurants (22.3%).

Much of the public sector employment is in education where the workforce has

increased significantly. Between 1998 and 2007 employment in primary, secondary,

further and higher education grew by 52 per cent to 41,200, from 9 per cent to 13 per

cent of Oxfordshire‟s workforce.

The proportion of employment in knowledge-intensive businesses in Oxfordshire is

well above the South East average and other county areas (with 14% of the total

workforce in the county) and is concentrated in Oxford, southern Oxfordshire and

Banbury. High tech manufacturing shows a greater concentration in southern

Oxfordshire but high tech services are more dispersed across the county.

Education, publishing and health are based mainly around Oxford city and

manufacturing is mostly in the north, especially the motor sports industry.

The area known as Science Vale UK, centred on the science and innovation campus

at Harwell, Milton Park, Culham, Didcot and Wantage & Grove, contains a large

concentration of scientific research and development with potential to be a focus for

further major economic growth.

Milton Park is one of the largest business parks in Europe and is the location for a

cluster of knowledge-based businesses with more than 150 companies employing

more than 6,500 people. Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is the home of the

Diamond Light Source and other internationally renowned science facilities.

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Bicester is identified as a significant growth point in the South East Plan and, with the

planned eco-town in Bicester, and has the potential to become a focus for jobs

centred on environmental technologies.

Workforce Trends, Recruitment Behaviour and Challenges

(Oxfordshire Employer Skills Study 2010 – a survey of 1,277 Oxfordshire employers, in-

depth interviews with 27 employers and a discussion group with businesses in

Bicester in 2010)

The overall numbers of people working in Oxfordshire businesses have generally

remained stable in the last 12 months, with similar numbers of employers increasing

and decreasing their staff numbers, but the vast majority (71%) remaining stable.

There are slight differences in expectations by district and sector. A higher

percentage of employers in West Oxfordshire (27%) expect staff numbers to grow.

Two sectors have above average staff growth expectations for the next 12 months:

business & financial services (26%) and transport & communications (also 26%).

Growth also appears likely to be concentrated in larger organisations, with 34% of

larger businesses expecting staff numbers to grow, compared with only 21% in

micro-businesses.

Compared with the 2008 survey, the percentage of employers who have taken on

new staff (whether new or to replace leaving staff) in the past 12 months has fallen,

from 50 per cent to 44 per cent. This may reflect reduced labour mobility, with

people possibly less inclined to leave a job in more uncertain times. However, it

seems that the fall is mainly due to fewer new jobs being created, given that the

percentage of employers only taking on “replacement recruits” has remained

constant over the two years at about 28 per cent at the same time as the percentage

of employers taking on new staff has fallen. During the same period the proportion of

employers taking on staff to fill newly created posts has fallen.

The most significant falls in the percentages of employers recruiting staff occurred in

Science Vale UK (56% to 36%) and Oxford City (71% to 58%). Cherwell and West

Oxfordshire were more stable, with a 4 per cent decrease and 2 per cent increase

respectively.

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Recruitment activity is more common among larger businesses (84% compared with

35% of micros). From a sector perspective, recruitment is more common than

average in two broad areas of the economy: distribution, hotels & restaurants (57%)

and public administration, education, health & other services (53%).

The percentage of employers with vacancies is similar in 2010 as it was in 2008

(17%), whereas the percentage of employers with vacancies that are hard-to-fill has

fallen, from 9 per cent to 7 per cent, compared to the national rate which decreased

from 7 per cent to 3 per cent over the same period.

The proportion of employers in Oxfordshire reporting problems with recruitment

decreased from 48 per cent in 2008 to 39 per cent in 2010. And by district; Vale of

the White Horse (from 48% to 45%), Science Vale UK (56% to 45%), West

Oxfordshire (43% to 45%), Oxford City (45% to 43%), South Oxfordshire (51 to 36%)

and Cherwell (43% to 34%).

Those who find recruitment a significant problem have also fallen from 16 per cent to

13 per cent at county level as has the percentage of firms finding problems recruiting

to certain roles (32% to 26%).

The 2010 survey suggests that recruitment is getting easier for employers, with

around 21 per cent of respondents trying to recruit believing it is now easier to do so,

compared with 12 per cent in 2008. However, others noted that despite the number

of candidates increasing, it was still difficult to attract the right candidates for certain

roles, with the volume of inappropriate applications received actually making things

more challenging.

11 per cent of Oxfordshire employers reported that they felt recruitment has become

more difficult, a similar percentage to that found in 2008. This may suggest that, for

example, there remains a “hard core” of employers who face increasing difficulties, or

that more sophisticated employers are locked in the “war for talent” that OEP

describe in the recent Oxfordshire Workplace Learning Model paper. These may be

businesses who seek to recruit heavily in skills shortage areas, or those who take a

less sophisticated approach to recruitment and selection.

The ageing profile of workers with some specialist skills, also appears to be an issue

for some employers, especially in engineering and healthcare.

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The survey suggests that recruitment difficulties are a particular issue in the

manufacturing sector (reported by 60% of employers trying to recruit recently

compared with 39% of all employers) and among employers engaged in science &

technology activities (58%). Manufacturing employers are also more likely than

average to believe that recruitment has become more difficult over the past year

(16% compared with 11%). As in 2008, recruitment difficulties in 2010 are most likely

to relate to higher skilled occupational groups, particularly professionals or technical/

skilled support occupations (both highlighted by around 1 in 5 Oxfordshire employers

with recruitment difficulties). However, recruitment difficulties for these occupations

appear to have decreased in importance, while the incidence of recruitment

difficulties for lower skilled staff has remained largely unchanged.

Recruitment difficulties by occupation in Oxfordshire appear broadly in line with the

national picture, with technical/ skilled support occupations a key focus of recruitment

difficulties across England (reported by 20% of employers with recruitment issues)

alongside skilled trade occupations (13%). However, recruitment of professionals/

highly skilled specialists can be seen as more of an issue within Oxfordshire than at

national level (25% compared with 12%), perhaps reflecting greater dependence on

these roles among employers in the County.

The list of recruitment difficulties by occupation in the 2010 survey is as follows, the

numbers in brackets show the percentage in the 2008 survey:

Professionals/highly skilled specialists – 25% (34%)

Technical/Skilled support occupations – 18% (24%)

Skilled trades/craft occupations – 14% (13%)

Sales and customer service occupations – 13% (15%)

Clerical/administrative staff – 9% (10%)

Semi-skilled service staff – 8% (8%)

Low skilled manual labour – 6% (5%)

Senior managers – 5% (8%)

Drivers & skilled machine operatives – 4% (5%)

The dominant reasons for recruitment difficulties reported by the employers were:

Lack of applicants with required skills – 43%

Not enough people interested in type of work – 14%

Lack of applicants with required attitude, motivation or personality – 14%

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Lack of applicants generally – 11%

Lack of applicants with required work experience – 9%

Remote location or poor public transport – 7%

Poor terms and conditions – 7%

Shift work or unsociable hours required – 3%

Too much competition from other employers – 3%

Recruitment of young people has additional unique challenges. Many employers

consider that education leavers:

Lack the correct attitudes and behaviours

Leave the education system with qualifications and skills that do not help

them develop in their jobs and careers

Make poor learning choices as they are ill informed about work and career

opportunities

57 per cent of the employers surveyed recognise their dependence on the education

system to provide young people with the attitudes and behaviours that are needed in

the workplace but many also acknowledged that employers too have a role to play in

aiding the transition from education to workplace.

Almost half of the employers would be interested to know how they can improve the

work readiness of young people, suggesting that many employers would be willing to

support education. 31 per cent of employers have such a relationship with a local

provider through hosting work placements or taking on school or college leavers.

Larger employers (with 50+ staff) are more likely to have this kind of relationship.

There is an alternative view to recruiting young people. The 2009 National Employer

Skills Survey found that employers in England who actually recruit young people

generally find them either well or very well prepared for work, with preparedness

improving with time spent in education. 66 per cent who had recruited a young

person who had completed only compulsory education found them to be well or very

well prepared. This is also the case for 74 per cent of employers who had recruited a

17 or 18 year old school or college leaver and 85 per cent of employers who had

recruited HE leavers into their first job. (Note only 22 per cent of employers recruit

young people straight from education, however at that time only 44 per cent of

employers were engaged in recruitment activity anyway.)

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From the same survey those employers that reported that young people were poorly

prepared cited lack of the working world/life experience or maturity as the main

reason with a lack of required skills or competencies and poor attitude/personality or

lack of motivation second and third respectively.

Staff Development and Training

(Oxfordshire Employer Skills Study 2010)

Around one in five (21%) Oxfordshire employers have skills gaps, having staff they

do not consider to be fully proficient in their role. This is 5 per cent higher than in

2008, reflecting an increase in skills gaps across the South East region. As in 2008,

skills gaps are higher in Science Vale UK; 4 per cent above the Oxfordshire average

and 5 per cent above the regional average, closely followed by Oxford City (3%

above the County average).

Skills gaps are greatest among sales and customer service staff (24% of employers,

up from 18% in 2008), while skills gaps among technical/ skilled support staff have

fallen significantly. This may reflect the conclusions of a recent survey by the

Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, which argues that, in

recessionary times softer “impact” skills, such as leadership, selling and team

working skills, take on a greater importance than technical skills.

Just over half (51%) of employers have funded or arranged training for staff in the

last 12 months, significantly down from the 64 per cent recorded in 2008. Over three

quarters (78%) of employers training their staff had used an external provider for

training, equivalent to about 40 per cent of all employers or around 12,000

Oxfordshire businesses. Employers training their staff spend on average around

£4,900 on training, about £3,900 of which is with external providers. Grossed up, this

suggests that the total market for externally provided training in Oxfordshire is around

£69m.

Further and Higher Education play an important role in meeting employers training

and development needs: 12 per cent of all employers use FE and 9 per cent HE, but

private providers command the lions share of the market, working with 28 per cent of

all employers.

Not all businesses feel that training is necessary. Those that had not provided

training in the last 12 months, for example, were most likely to attribute this to training

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not being needed, because all staff were considered to be fully proficient (42% of

those not training). Half of all businesses that would like to train more, but are unable

to do so, attribute not training to a lack of financial resources, although a quarter

(24%) also highlight that they are unable to source suitable training. When firms

encounter difficulties in sourcing external training, this is most often for sector specific

or technical skills.

There are some indications that larger employers may especially value training

delivery in their workplace. Public sector employers are most interested in flexible

approaches to learning delivery, while e-learning is particularly attractive to science

and technology employers. These same groups of employers also appear to

especially value recognised or accredited training.

The Oxfordshire Workplace Learning Model

This model was developed as a result of an inquiry led by Oxfordshire Economic

Partnership (OEP) and Oxford University‟s centre of Skills, Knowledge and

Organisational performance (SKOPE). It consists of 5 strategic elements, which

should inform the setting of priorities for resources and focus.

These are:

Identify the barriers to workplace learning;

Address those barriers through positive interventions;

Focus investment on high growth industry sectors;

Orientate young people towards high growth sectors; and

Address today‟s learning gaps.

This model can provide a structure for decision-making and the setting of priorities for

resources and focus for all stakeholders who work within the workplace learning

arena.

Other observations from this group included:

With a focus on areas of strategic growth, financial support should be given to

schools to provide early training in areas that supported key business sectors.

There is a need for Information Advice and Guidance systems to be unbiased

and present students with the breadth of training, studying and employment

options that they can expect from the local economy.

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The relationship between schools and local businesses requires

strengthening with a bias towards inspiring young people to achieve their

potential at school with a view to finding a career path involving one or more

Oxfordshire-based businesses.

On top of the development of technical skills there is also a need to

development „soft‟ skills that are more difficult to evaluate and certify, such as

attitudes and behaviours that drive one‟s potential for growth and team work

skills.

The need to develop these „soft‟ skills within the education system to ensure

that tomorrow‟s workforce is equipped to perform at both the technical and

social levels required for global competitiveness.

One way of explaining the required relationship between business and education can

be found in the 2010 national CBI report „Fulfilling Potential – the Business Role in

Education‟ where it states that:

„Business is a major stakeholder in education. We provide young people with

experiences of the world of work through work experience placements, talk to

schools about the skills needed in the modern workplace and bring business

experience to school leadership as governors. In turn, businesses rely on schools

and colleges to enable young people to develop the skills, knowledge and attitude

needed in today‟s workplace.

But look again at the education sector and there‟s another role for businesses – as a

partner and provider of education services helping transform underperforming

schools and local education authorities, and re-engaging young people who are not

in education or training with the world of learning.‟

The report also makes the following recommendations:

1. Businesses recognise they have an important role to play in engaging with

education – providing high quality work experience and shaping careers advice.

Employers are clear that they look to the education system to develop confident,

motivated young people, with the attitude, knowledge and skills to succeed in life and

in the world of work. In particular, they want young people to have:

A strong base of literacy, numeracy and IT skills

The broad set of employability skills (team working, problem-solving,

communication, business and customer awareness, self-management)

necessary for all jobs

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A strong grounding in science and maths, with the most capable encouraged

to study these vital subjects further

Access to a range of learning options – academic, vocational and applied –

with appropriate information, advice and guidance

Qualifications that are recognised, understood and valued by business.

2. For school reforms to deliver improvements in educational outcomes it is

essential that:

New academies and free schools maintain their freedom to innovate – by

allowing them to choose appropriate qualifications, apply proven innovative

teaching techniques and maintain their independence

The development of federations and chains of schools is supported by robust

quality assurance processes. This will enable the engagement of a range of

organisations in the development of chains of schools driving up outcomes

through systems leadership and efficiencies

The full range of expertise and capacity that exists in the private sector and

third sector is utilised to improve value for money and drive through

innovation and change. Government must open up services to competition

and in the case of free schools allow profit-making companies to be involved

in due course

The Department for Education should set out a clear market strategy for

educational services and ensure schools and academies are supported to

engage with private providers of support and improvement services.

2.3 Provider Base

The providers based within Oxfordshire are made up of the following types of

institutions:

232 primary schools

6 local authority maintained secondary schools without sixth forms

23 local authority maintained secondary schools with sixth forms

5 academies

17 special schools

1 pupil referral unit

46 independent schools (all ages) including 18 with sixth forms

1 european funded school

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2 general further education colleges

1 sixth form college

5 other government funded further education providers

2 higher education institutions

Four of the secondary schools without sixth forms are served by the local sixth form

college but for the learners at the remaining two schools this does mean that they

have to find alternative post 16 provision and in some cases travel quite large

distances.

In addition to those listed above there are a further 364 providers funded by the Skills

Funding Agency who deliver programmes to Oxfordshire residents, both young

people and adults. There are also an unquantifiable number of private training

providers delivering to the residents and businesses of Oxfordshire.

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Section 3 - Skills Needs Assessment

_____________________________________________________ 3.1 Employer Skills Needs

According to the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) skills needed in

Oxfordshire are in three generic areas:

Sector specific and technical skills – by type of business and activity

Leadership and management skills – for managers and supervisors

Customer service skills – „soft‟ or „job-readiness‟ skills such as

communication, self-management, team working, problem solving etc.

SEEDA‟s statement identifies Oxfordshire as having skills needs in pharmaceuticals,

life sciences and healthcare with the future driver for skills being heavily linked to

emerging technologies.

Employment and skills priorities identified by SEEDA for Oxfordshire include:

Science and Technology skills in the south of the county especially at

technician level.

Need for soft skills development for those entering the job market.

Space industry atomic energy research at and around Harwell.

Improved aspirations with appropriate guidance for young people.

Bicester Eco town development potential.

Workforce

Compared with statistically similar areas, the resident working age population in

Oxfordshire is very well qualified. The county has one of the highest rates of working

age residents with degree or equivalent qualifications (3rd out of 16, behind Surrey

and Cambridgeshire). It also has the lowest rate of working age residents without

qualifications (ranked 1st out of 16).

In 2008 over one third of Oxfordshire‟s working age population (36%) was educated

to degree level (NVQ4) with many of these employed in high tech industries.

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57 per cent of working age people in Oxfordshire were qualified to NVQ3 (equivalent

to two A levels) or above, well above the average for England (46.5%), and just

outside the top 10 per cent nationally.

Over 70 per cent of the working age population in Oxfordshire was qualified to NVQ2

level or above (5 or more GCSEs at grades A*-C or equivalent).

Despite its well qualified workforce, Oxfordshire is ranked below some statistically

similar areas on pupil attainment and Oxfordshire‟s most deprived areas have

consistently poor scores on the “Education & Skills” domain.

6 per cent of working age people in Oxfordshire had no qualifications. This is below

the national and regional average, and below averages of similar areas like

Cambridgeshire (7.6%) and West Berkshire (6%).

A low ranking on the “Education, Skills and Training” domain of the Index of Multiple

Deprivation (2010) is an important influence on the overall scores of Oxfordshire‟s

most deprived areas. There are 36 super output areas in Oxfordshire where the

extent of deprivation in education, skills and training are ranked in the lowest 20 per

cent of areas nationally. A total of 18 of Oxfordshire‟s 404 super output areas are

ranked in the most deprived 20 per cent in England with only 1 in the most deprived

10 per cent.

In the Children / Young people (Education Skills and Training) sub domain there are

56 super output areas in Oxfordshire where education attainment and access to

further and higher education are ranked in the lowest 20 per cent of areas nationally.

Whereas there are only 3 super output areas in Oxfordshire where levels of the

proportion of adults aged 25-54 with no or low qualifications are ranked in the lowest

20 per cent of areas nationally.

There is anecdotal evidence that Oxfordshire‟s strengths in the areas of science and

technology are insufficiently recognised both locally by its own population and

externally by potential investors. This risks affecting the educational choices of young

people in the county‟s schools and the investment choices of investors external to

Oxfordshire.

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Identification of Oxfordshire Employers Specific Skills Needs (particularly

SMEs)

Research into the identification of skills needs will be undertaken by the LA‟s

Business and Skills team who have contact with over 2,500 businesses a year. They

will gather data from employers, which will be collated and included in a future

version of Oxfordshire‟s skills needs analysis.

3.2 Unemployment (nomis – official labour market statistics)

Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants are people who are actively seeking work.

This is not an official measure of unemployment, but it is the most up-to-date

indication of unemployment trends. The figures do not capture the full picture of

unemployment as some people do not claim JSA.

Total number of JSA claimants in Oxfordshire has risen by 5 per cent during

2011 (January to September), from 7,526 to 7,899. The increases in

claimants are all female (male claimants have decreased by 27), with the

majority being in Cherwell and Oxford City. This compares to a decrease of

18.2 per cent (9,156 to 7,493) over the same period in 2010.

Claimants under the age of 25 have risen by 12.2 per cent in 2011 (January

to August) compared with a decrease of 17.8 per cent over the same period

in 2010. The majority of these increases were in Cherwell with the City

showing a slight decrease.

The remaining age groups of 25-49 and 50+ have shown increases of 4.9 per

cent and 7.4 per cent respectively in 2011 (January to August) compared to

decreases of 17.6 and 18.0 per cent respectively over the same period in

2010. The majority of the increases in both of these age groups were in the

City.

Claimants from ethnic minority groups have increased by 17.8 per cent in

2011 (January to August) compared to an increase of 6.3 per cent for white

claimants. This compares to decreases of 8.5 per cent for ethnic minority

claimants and 19.1 per cent for white claimants over the same period in 2010.

The majority (75%) of the ethnic minority increases were in Oxford City.

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3.3 16-19 Participation in Education and Training

Raising the Participation Age (RPA)

The Education and Skills Act 2008 increases the minimum age at which young

people in England can leave learning requiring them to continue in education or

training, until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17 from 2013, and until

their 18th birthday from 2015.

RPA does not mean young people must stay in school; they will able to choose one

of the following options:

full-time education, such as school, college or home education

work-based learning, such as an Apprenticeship

part-time education or training if they are employed, self-employed or

volunteering for more than 20 hours a week.

June 2011 figures show that the 16 year old participation rate was 89.5 per cent,

compared to the South-East figure of 89.9 per cent. The 17 year old participation

rate was 78.6 per cent, compared with 82.5 per cent regionally.

For 16-18 year old Oxfordshire residents in 2009/10 there were:

6,235 in FE (an increase of 7.9% over the last 3 years)

6,072 in school sixth forms and academies (an increase of 6.5% over the last

3 years)

2,021 undertaking an apprenticeship

435 undertaking Entry to Employment provision

Oxfordshire has a high proportion of 16 and 17 year olds at Independent School

(1,832 young people as at December 2010), although the number of Oxfordshire

residents attending these schools can not be quantified using current data sources.

The number of males participating in Oxfordshire school sixth forms and academies

has increased by 239 between 2008/09 and 2010/11, compared to an increase of 68

for females. This has resulted in a slight shift in the percentage split between

females and males; from 52 per cent female, 48 percent male in 2008/09 to 50:50 in

2010/11.

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A similar increase has been seen in the FE sector; 273 increase in males between

2008/09 and 2009/10 compared to an increase of 29 females with a resulting shift in

ratio from 51:49 females to males in 2008/09 to 49:51 in 2009/10.

When comparing the percentages of 16-18 learners from ethnic minority groups

participating in post 16 education with the breakdown of Oxfordshire‟s overall

population the majority of ethnic groups are over represented with the notable

exception of „Asian or Asian British – Indian learners‟. In school sixth forms and

academies 1.35 per cent of the school population was from this ethnic group in

2009/10 compared to the overall Oxfordshire population where it was 1.94 per cent.

This difference was even greater in FE where only 0.54 per cent of the population

was made up of this ethnic group.

Looking ahead to 2013

As at December 2010 16-18 year olds participation rates at various different

destinations were;

FE Learner responsive – 23.6%

Apprenticeships – 7.2%

School sixth forms/Academies – 26.4%

Special Schools* – 0.4%

Higher Education – 6.6%

Independent Schools* – 8.4%

Employed with Training, excluding Apprenticeships – 1.7%

NEET – 5.8%

Employed without Training – 10.4%

Unknown – 9.6%

* Oxfordshire resident data not available and therefore estimations were used

In an exercise to calculate how Oxfordshire will meet the RPA in 2013 a number of

assumptions had to be made;

The number of 16 year old Oxfordshire residents in independent schools was

estimated by assuming that they made up the difference between the whole

16 year old population and the rest of the destinations. The same percentage

was then used to calculate the number of 17 and 18 year olds.

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The percentage participation in schools and academies was increased

marginally to reflect the work that some rural schools are doing to change

their mix and balance of provision.

It was assumed that the number of young people in employment without

training would move into the employment with training category.

The remaining NEET learners were then distributed equally between FE

learner responsive and Apprenticeships as it is believed that these will be the

most relevant and suitable destinations for the majority of those learners not

participating at present.

The percentage participation rates for 18 year olds were kept the same as in

2010, although it is expected that these should increase as efforts are put into

increase the participation of 17 year olds.

The travel to learn patterns of Oxfordshire learners will remain the same.

A number of destinations for young people will remain unknown.

Based on the assumptions above (making this a crude estimation), it was determined

that to aspire to 100 percent participation of 16 and 17 year olds by 2013 the most

significant increases in places will need to be in employment with training and in

Apprenticeships; where it is estimated an extra 814 and 245 training opportunities

respectively will be required.

Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

(Connexions data)

The proportion of NEETs in Oxfordshire at December 2010 was 5.8 per cent

compared with 6.4 per cent in December 2009.

As at December 2010 there were 950 young people who were NEET, compared with

1,073 in December 2009.

Teenage mothers

In May 2011 24.8 per cent of teenage mothers known to Connexions (77) were in

some form of education. In May 2010, 26 per cent were in some form of education.

Young people with learning difficulties and/ or disabilities (LDD)

In May 2011, 24.9 per cent of the 1,370 young people with LDD known to

Connexions were NEET, compared with 17.1 per cent at the same time in 2010.

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Young people who have offended

In May 2011, 58.5 per cent of the 94 young offenders known to Connexions were

NEET (55). In May 2010, 41.8 per cent of the 122 were NEET (51).

Care leavers

In May 2011, 34.4 per cent of the 32 care leavers known to connexions were NEET

(11). In May 2010, 38.6 per cent were NEET (27). The majority of the NEET care

leavers (9) are in Oxford city.

NEET by Locality

Locality NEET Cohort (May 2011)

Banbury 142

Oxford South East 89

Abingdon/Berinsfield 73

Witney/Eynsham/Woodstock 99

Didcot 77

Bicester/Kidlington 88

Cowley/Iffley (ISIS) 73

North Oxford/Cumnor/Botley 44

Headington/Wheatley 64

Carterton/Burford/Chipping Norton 53

Henley/Sonning Common/Woodcote/Wallingford 38

Wantage/Faringdon/Grove 58

Thame/Watlington 22

920

These figures include those young people not available for learning, for example

young carers, and only includes young people known to Connexions.

Less than 20 per cent of the NEET group have a level 2 qualification therefore the

provision for this group needs to be pre level 2 and with flexible start dates to capture

those that become NEET during the year.

Although not technically classified as NEET in December 2010 there were 243 16

year olds and 637 17 year olds who were in some form of employment with no formal

training. Whilst some of these young people will be receiving good quality non

accredited training with nationally recognised employers, Oxfordshire has a

significantly higher number of young people in this group compared with other LA

areas.

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Qualification levels

(YPLA data)

In 2009/10 the proportion of 16-19 enrolments in FE taking a level 3 qualification

(36.4%, 6,900 enrolments) was below both the regional (49.0%) and national figures

(44.5%).

The proportion of learners undertaking a level 3 programme in FE decreased from

56.5 per cent to 55.4%, although this hides the fact that learner numbers actually

increased from 3,624 to 3,721.

The proportion of enrolments at entry and level 1 (34.2%, 6,469 enrolments) is higher

than the regional and national positions (24.7% and 27.2% respectively).

In 2009/10 91.5 per cent of the learning aims studied in school sixth forms were at

level 3 and in-year figures for 2010/11 show a similar picture.

In school sixth forms and academies the number of learners studying a level 3

programme increased from 5,449 to 5,827 (94% to 96%).

It would appear that increases in levels of GCSE attainment are being reflected in

increased level 3 participation.

In 2009/10, 72.8 per cent of Oxfordshire‟s school leavers achieved a full level 2 which

is an improvement of 5.2 per cent from 2008/09.

Sectors

(YPLA data - please note there are large numbers of unknowns recorded for the sector

data – 20.45% for schools and 23.48% for FE in 2009/10)

In order of the numbers of learning aims taken the top ten most popular sector

subject areas for 16-18 year olds in school sixth forms and academies in 2009/10 are

as listed below. The order did not change between 2008/09 and 2009/10.

Science and mathematics – 7,951 (27.12%)

Languages, literature and culture – 2,819 (9.61%)

Arts, media and publishing – 2,760 (9.41%)

History, philosophy and theology – 2,368 (8.08%)

Social sciences – 2,256 (7.69%)

Business, administration and law – 1,311 (4.47%)

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Leisure, travel and tourism – 1,240 (4.23%)

Preparation for life and work – 1,180 (4.02%)

Information and communication technology – 713 (2.43%)

Engineering and manufacturing technologies – 447 (1.52%)

In order of the numbers of learning aims taken the top ten most popular sector

subject areas for 16-18 year olds in FE in 2009/10 are as listed below. There were a

number of changes from the ranking in 2008/09, where three sector subject areas

decreased the proportion of enrolments (Health, public services and care from 3rd to

5th, Information and communication technology from 8th to 9th, and Agriculture,

horticulture and animal care from 10th to 11th) and four sector subject areas increased

the proportion of enrolments ( Science and mathematics from 4th to 3rd, Leisure,

travel and tourism from 5th to 4th, Languages, literature and culture from 9th to 8th and

Engineering and manufacturing technologies from 11th to 10th).

Preparation for life and work – 7,423 (29.56%)

Arts, media and publishing – 2,245 (8.94%)

Science and mathematics – 1,513 (6.03%)

Leisure, travel and tourism – 1,316 (5.24%)

Health, public services and care – 1,197 (4.77%)

Business, administration and law – 876 (3.49%)

Retail and commercial enterprise – 859 (3.42%)

Languages, literature and culture – 852 (3.39%)

Information and communication technology – 758 (3.02%)

Engineering and manufacturing technologies – 634 (2.52%)

3.4 STEM Subject Participation (YPLA and LA data)

Demand for STEM skills is expected to rise. Based on Working Futures 2004-2014

(Wilson et al, 2006), CBI (2008) suggest that by 2014, 730,000 extra jobs will require

candidates with STEM skills. Growth in employment is projected to be fastest for

those with the highest level qualifications. The number of those in employment with

no or few formal qualifications is projected to decline. The Working Futures 2004-

2014 results generally suggest, with the exception of Medicine, that the “demand” for

those qualified in most STEM subjects will grow significantly faster than the average

for all subject groups.

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In this analysis STEM subjects have been identified by using the sector skills areas

of science, mathematics and statistics, engineering, engineering and manufacturing

technologies, and manufacturing technologies. The science area includes pure

sciences, psychology, along with some of the „soft‟ sciences.

Key Stage 4

Learners at this stage participate in qualifications from entry level through to level 3.

The take up of STEM learning aims has increased by 9.5 per cent between 2009 and

2011 (18,706 to 20,485). Science subjects saw an increase in take up from 11,670

to 12,700 (8.8%), mathematics and statistics an increase from 6,918 to 7,708

(11.4%) whilst engineering take up decreased from 118 to 77 (34.7%).

The increases in science and mathematics are across all the levels of qualifications

taken.

16 - 18

The take up of STEM learning aims in post 16 providers (FE, sixth forms and

academies) has increased by 19.6 per cent between 2008/09 and 2010/11 (9,715 to

11,623). Science subjects saw a year on year increase in take up from 5,869 to

7,021 (19.6%), mathematics and statistics yearly increases from 3,080 to 3,651

(18.5%) as did engineering and manufacturing subjects; an increase from 766 to 951

(24.2%).

Although there has been increases overall in the take up of STEM subjects sixth

forms and academies have seen a decrease in the take up of engineering learning

aims; from 443 to 405 (8.6%) between 2008/09 and 2010/11.

3.5 Travel to Learn for 16-18 year olds (as at Dec 2010) (YPLA data)

688 (611 in December 2009) Oxfordshire residents aged 16-18 travelled out of the

county to access provision in FE and 420 (383 in December 2009) also attended out

of county School Sixth Forms or Academies.

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1,714 non Oxfordshire residents were attending FE provision delivered in Oxfordshire

(88 per cent of which were at level 3) and 258 were in Oxfordshire School Sixth

Forms. 1,678 non-Oxfordshire residents attended Oxfordshire based FE providers.

There are 5,997 (5,400 in December 2009) FE students living in Oxfordshire in

2010/11 with 89 per cent studying in the area. Most of those leaving the area to study

are in providers outside the south east region (7 per cent), with a further 1.4 per cent

studying in Buckinghamshire.

Overall, Oxfordshire was a net importer of 1,026 learners.

The colleges with significant Oxfordshire residents are as follows;

Warwickshire College delivered to 137 (111 in 2009) Oxfordshire residents,

the majority being on full-time level 3 programmes but with 24 per cent on

level 2 programmes. 92 per cent of the learners travelled from Cherwell

district.

New College, Swindon delivered to 81 (72 in 2009) residents, the majority

being on full-time level 3 programmes. 94 per cent of the learners travelled

from the Vale of the White Horse district.

Aylesbury College delivered to 64 (65 in 2009) residents, with relatively equal

numbers being on full-time level 1, 2 and 3 programmes. 88 per cent of the

learners travelled from South Oxfordshire.

Berkshire College of Agriculture delivered to 54 residents (53 in 2009), the

majority being on full-time level 2 and 3 programmes. 96 per cent of the

learners travelled from South Oxfordshire.

Swindon College delivered to 51 (63 in 2009) residents, the majority being on

full-time level 2 and 3 programmes. 80 per cent of the learners travelled from

the Vale of the White Horse district.

Stratford-upon-Avon College delivered to 44 (40 in 2009) residents, the

majority being on full-time level 3 programmes. 86 per cent of the learners

travelled from Cherwell district.

Cirencester Tertiary College delivered to 38 (41 in 2009) residents, the

majority being on full-time level 3 programmes. 63 per cent of the learners

travelled from the Vale of the White Horse.

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Apart from agriculture at Warwickshire College there does not appear to be any

particular curriculum areas that are attracting these learners out of the county.

Among those leaving the area to study, 64 per cent (71 per cent inn 2009) are

studying at level 3, 20 per cent (20 per cent in 2009) at level 2 and 14 per cent (11

per cent in 2009) at level 1 and entry.

Significant numbers are travelling in from Buckinghamshire (542), Reading (336),

Wokingham (184) and Windsor and Maidenhead (150). There are 345 that travel in

from out of the SE region, predominantly from Northamptonshire (226).

The majority of the learners travelling into the county (1,334) are attending The

Henley College.

3.6 Young People with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (LLDD) (YPLA and Local Authority data)

The proportion of learners with LDD in Oxfordshire was above the regional average

in 2009/10 at 24 per cent compared with 21 per cent in the south east.

47 per cent of all learning aims studies by learners with LDD were in „preparation for

life and work‟ compared to 35 per cent for non LDD learners.

Similarly, a higher proportion of learners with LDD studies entry or level 1 learning

aims (46%) than non LDD learners (30%).

High cost LLDD

In 2011/12 there will be 35 young people aged 16-25 undertaking learning within out

of county Independent Specialist Providers. Of these 14 are new starts and 21 are

continuing. This compares with 29 learners in 2010/11.

In 2011/12 there will also be 73 learners in Oxfordshire FE providers whose

Additional Learning Support (ALS) costs will exceed £19,000; a large proportion of

these will be attending Abingdon and Witney College‟s specialist provision for autistic

learners.

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Young people with statements of Specialist Educational Needs (SEN)

In 2010/11 123 young people with statements of SEN will be continuing their courses

in Oxfordshire‟s special schools.

3.7 Participation in Apprenticeships (National Apprenticeship Service)

16-18

There were 950 starts in 2007/08, 903 in 2008/09 and 1,013 in 2009/10. The

increase has been mainly at level 3. Up to the end of period 9 for 2010/11 (end April

2011) there were 896 starts, compared with 849 at the same time in 2009/10. This

represents growth of 5.5 per cent; however the growth for the SE has been 10.1 per

cent. The growth between 2007/08 and 2009/10 has been 6.6 per cent in Oxfordshire

compared with 5.2 per cent across the SE and 8.6 per cent nationally.

In 2009/10 there were 2,021 16-18 year olds participating in an apprenticeship, this

equates to 7.9 per cent of the 16-18 cohort. This compares with 1,943 in 2008/09 (an

increase of 4.0%). The SE grew by 5.4 per cent and nationally by 5.5 per cent over

the same period.

OCVC is by far the largest provider of apprenticeships and accounted for 20.6 per

cent of starts in 2009/10. The second largest provider is Zenos with 77 starts in

2009/10.

The most popular sector in 2009/10 was hairdressing with 11.5 per cent of starts;

hairdressing was also the most popular across the SE.

The next most popular sector was childcare (9.4% of starts in 2009/10). This is not in

line with the region where engineering is ranked second. Engineering for Oxfordshire

was ranked 8th in 2009/10 with 53 starts (only 5.2% compared with 9.4% across the

SE). Construction starts fell in 2009/10 - it was the second most popular framework

in 2008/09 with 133 starts, but fell to the 6th most popular with only 73 starts.

Participation in 2009/10 was 61.9 per cent male and 34.3 per cent female, compared

with the SE at 57.0 per cent and 43.0 per cent respectively.

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19-24

Starts for Oxfordshire were 847 in 2007/08, 899 in 2008/09 and 1,082 in 2009/10.

The increase has been mainly at level 2. Up to the end of period 9 for 10/11 (end

April) there have been 940 starts, compared with 817 at the same time in 2009/10.

This represents growth of 15.1 per cent against the growth for the SE at 9.7 per cent.

The growth between 2007/08 and 2009/10 has been 27.7 per cent compared with

26.8 per cent across the SE and 26.3 per cent nationally.

In 2009/10 there were 1,843 19-24 year olds participating in an apprenticeship. This

compares with 1,655 in 2008/09 (an increase of 11.4 per cent). The South-East grew

by 14.4 per cent and nationally by 14.3 per cent over the same period.

VT Training is the largest provider of apprenticeships for this age group and

accounted for 13.5 per cent (146) starts for Oxfordshire residents in 2009/10. The

second largest provider is Vodafone with 79 (8.8%) of starts in 2009/10.

The most popular apprenticeship in 2009/10 was hospitality and catering with 11.8

per cent of starts.

The next most popular sector was customer service (with 11.7% of starts).

The top ranked framework for this age group in the South-East is engineering which

doesn‟t appear at all in Oxfordshire‟s top 10.

Participation in 2009/10 was 55.1 per cent male and 44.9 per cent female, compared

with the SE at 58.9 per cent and 41.1 per cent respectively.

25+

Starts for Oxfordshire were 218 in 2007/08, 556 in 2008/09 and 448 in 2009/10. Up

to the end of period 9 for 2010/11 (end April 2011) there have been 823 starts,

compared with 336 at the same time in 2009/10. This represents growth of 44.9 per

cent against the growth for the South-East at 120.9 per cent.

In 2009/10 there were 830 aged 25+ participating in an apprenticeship. This

compares with 703 in 2008/09 (an increase of 18.1%). The South-East grew by 13.7

per cent and nationally by 18.7 per cent over the same period.

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VT Training is the largest provider of apprenticeships for this age group and

accounted for 17.0 per cent (76) starts for Oxfordshire residents in 2009/10. The

second largest provider is Vodafone with 59 (13.2%) of starts in 2009/10.

The most popular apprenticeship in 2009/10 was customer service with 17.2 per cent

of starts. The next most popular sector was heath and social care (with 14.5% of

starts). This is in line with the South-East for this age group.

Participation in 2009/10 was 65 per cent male and 35 per cent female, compared

with the South-East at 50 per cent and 50 per cent respectively.

3.8 Adult participation in Skills Funding Agency (SFA) funded provision (excluding apprenticeships) (SFA Data)

There were 374 providers in 2009/10 delivering to Oxfordshire residents; however a

significant number of these had very low numbers. 47 providers had at least 100

Oxfordshire resident enrolments.

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College is by far the largest provider of adult provision in

Oxfordshire with over 20,000 enrolments in total (this includes apprenticeships). The

second largest is Abingdon and Witney College followed by Oxfordshire County

Council and The Henley College.

Learner responsive provision is attended by adults in their own time and can be full

or part time. Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 participation in learner responsive

provision for Oxfordshire residents has increased overall. Participation in skills for

life qualifications has remained fairly static with 11,200 starts, whereas those

participating at level 2 has decreased (from 7,920 to 7,480 starts) but level 3 has

increased (from 9,740 to 9,810 starts).

Employer responsive provision is usually delivered in the workplace and is driven by

employer choice. The numbers of Oxfordshire residents participating in employer

responsive provision has fallen between 2008/09 and 2009/10 (from 7,590 to 7,390

starts). This probably reflects the significant changes in the funding methodology for

this type of provision with less government funding and more of an emphasis on an

expectation that employers will contribute to the cost of delivery.

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Sectors

(SFA local authority data – please note there are large numbers of unknowns recorded

for the sector data – 67.5% on learner responsive 2009/10, 16.5% in 2009/10 and 19.8%

in 2008/09 for employer responsive. Also numbers are rounded to the nearest ten.)

For learner responsive provision in 2009/10 the ten most popular sector skills council

areas for Oxfordshire residents were (in order of the number of enrolments):

Creative and cultural – 1,790 (3.59%)

Employability – 1,510 (3.03%)

Active leisure, learning and wellbeing – 1,460 (2.93%)

Business information technology and communications – 1,150 (2.31%)

Healthcare – 990 (1.98%)

Hair and beauty – 930 (1.86%)

Finance, accountancy and financial services – 920 (1.84%)

Land-based and environmental industries – 820 (1.64%)

Children and young people – 670 (1.34%)

Hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism – 660 (1.32%)

For employer responsive provision, excluding apprenticeships, the most popular

sector skills council areas have changed between 2008/09 and 2009/10.

The top ten sectors in 2008/09 were (in order of the number of enrolments):

Adult, social care/ healthcare – 1,170 (13.1%)

Construction – 880 (9.89%)

Science, engineering and manufacturing technologies – 710 (7.98%)

Freight, logistics and wholesale – 620 (6.97%)

Customer service and contact centres – 570 (6.40%)

Hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism – 370 (4.16%)

Facilities management, housing, properties, planning and cleaning – 370

(4.16%)

Management and leadership (including HR and recruitment) – 360 (4.04%)

Children and young people – 360 (4.04%)

Passenger transport – 300 (3.37%)

In 2009/10 the top ten sectors were:

Passenger transport – 820 (9.62%)

Adult social care/healthcare – 790 (9.27%)

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Customer service and contact centres – 670 (7.86%)

Construction – 560 (6.57%)

Science, engineering and manufacturing technologies – 520 (6.10%)

Freight, logistics and wholesale – 520 (6.10%)

Retail – 480 (5.63%)

Management and leadership (including HR and recruitment) – 410 (4.81%)

Hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism – 360 (4.22%)

Children and young people – 300 (3.52%)

3.9 Level 2 and 3 Attainment by 19 (DfE and YPLA data)

In Oxfordshire progress towards the level 2 and level 3 at 19 PSA (public sector

agreement) targets show that there is an improvement of 2.6 percentage points

required to meet the target for achievement at level 2, however the level 3 target has

already been passed.

Level 2

The level 2 at 19 PSA target is to have 82 per cent of young people reaching the

level 2 threshold by age 19 by 2010/11.

In 2009/10 79.4 per cent of 19 year olds were qualified at level 2. This has seen year

on year increases, and represents an improvement of 7.2 percentage points since

2004/05.

The improvement is less than that nationally (11.5 percentage points) but

Oxfordshire‟s position is above England overall (78.7% in 2009/10). In 2009/10

Oxfordshire ranked bottom out of 11 statistical neighbours.

There is a 32 percentage points attainment gap in level 2 attainment, when using

Free School Meals (FSM) as a proxy for disadvantage. Oxfordshire ranks 10th out of

11 statistical neighbours.

Looking at the cohort turning 19 in 2010/11, 66.6 per cent reached level 2 by the age

of 16, which is an improvement of 4.9 percentage points over the position at 16 for

the 2009/10 cohort (61.7%). Therefore we should see an improvement in attainment

at 19 for this cohort next year.

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Of the 6,617 who had achieved level 2 by 19 in 2009/10, 1,469 achieved it after the

age of 16. 53.5 per cent achieved it at an FE college, 20 per cent through

apprenticeships, 18.4 per cent at a maintained school and 5.1 per cent at

independent school.

Level 3

The level 3 2010/11 PSA target for young people is for 54 per cent reaching the level

3 threshold by age 19.

In 2009/10 58 per cent of young people reached level 3 by 19 in Oxfordshire which is

above the England average of 52.0 per cent. This places Oxfordshire 7th out of 11

among statistical neighbours.

There is a 30 percentage point attainment gap in level 3 when using FSM as a proxy

for disadvantage. This compares with a 34 per cent gap in 2008/09 and places

Oxfordshire 3rd out of 11 when compared with statistical neighbours.

The movement since 2004/05 of 7.6 percentage points falls below the national

change over the same period of 8.0 percentage points.

Attaining GCSE English and mathematics is a significant factor contributing to

attainment of level 3 at 19:

86.7 per cent of those attaining a level 2 at 16 including English and

mathematics attained level 3 at 19 by 2009/10.

53.0 per cent of those not reaching level 2 but attaining GCSE English and

mathematics went on to attain level 3 at 19 by 2009/10.

Making up ground between the ages of 16 and 19

Some of the improvement in the position at Level 2 for Oxfordshire has come from

increases in attainment by school leaving age. Of those turning 19 in 2004/05, 56.7

per cent achieved level 2 by the age of 16, this moved to 61.7 per cent for the

2009/10 cohort (an increase of 5.0 percent compared with 8.7 per cent nationally).

The proportion of Oxfordshire schools‟ young people in this cohort attaining five A*-C

GCSEs including English and maths increased by 4.4 percentage points on 2008/09

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to 57.3 per cent, although as reported below this percentage has decreased in

2010/11.

The rest of the improvement has come from those gaining their level 2 post 16. In

2004/05, an additional 15.5 per cent of the cohort achieved level 2 after the age of

16. For those turning 19 in 2009/10, this has increased by 2.2 per cent to 17.7 per

cent of the cohort achieving level 2 after 16. Nationally 19.6 per cent of the 2009/10

cohort gained their level 2 post 16, but Oxfordshire does well compared with

statistical neighbours.

With more ground to gain to make up for the lower percentages of young people

attaining level 2 at 16, Oxfordshire‟s post 16 education providers are in general

making up more ground than our statistical neighbours (17.7% in 2009/10).

3.10 Success Rates

Key Stage 4 (DfE data)

In 2010/11 73.4 per cent of learners in Oxfordshire achieved 5+ A*-C grades at key

stage 4 and although this was a 0.6 per cent increase on 2009/10 (72.8%) it placed

Oxfordshire the lowest compared to its statistical neighbours (Bracknell Forest was

ranked 1st with 87.3%). Oxfordshire is now 5.2 per cent below the South-East

average and 6.7 per cent below the maintained sector national average.

56.8 per cent achieved 5+ A*-C grades including English and Mathematics. This was

a 0.5 per cent decrease on 2009/10 and has resulted in Oxfordshire being the worst

county when compared to its statistical neighbours (Buckinghamshire was ranked 1st

with 69.4%). It was one of only three counties to see a decrease in this

measurement; the other two being Cambridgeshire and West Berkshire with -0.2 and

-1.5 per cent decrease respectively. Oxfordshire is now 2.4 per cent below the

South-East average and 1.1 per cent below the maintained sector national average.

Expected progress between key stage 2 and 4 (DfE data)

English

In 2010 70.7 per cent of learners had made the expected progress in English

between key stages 2 and 4. This is higher than the national average of 69.9 per

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cent but lower than the regional average of 71.7 per cent and has left the County the

lowest when compared against its statistical neighbours (the highest being

Buckinghamshire with 76.4 per cent making the expected progress).

Girls‟ performance, although improving by 2.3 per cent since 2008, has fallen below

the national and regional averages whereas 5.1 per cent more boys made the

expected progress during the same period. This resulted in the boys performing

higher than national and regional averages and ranking 6th when compared to

statistical neighbours and the girls dropping to 11th.

Mathematics

In 2010 67.6 per cent of learners had made the expected progress in mathematics

between key stages 2 and 4. This is higher than the national and regional averages

of 62.5 and 66 per cent respectively and places the County 7th when compared

against its statistical neighbours (the highest being Buckinghamshire with 74.8 per

cent making the expected progress).

Both the girls and boys performance improved by 4.3 and 10 per cent respectively

and were ranked 7th and 6th respectively when compared to statistical neighbours.

Further Education (FE) providers based in Oxfordshire (YPLA data)

In 2009/10 the overall resident based FE college success rate was 81.5 per cent, this

is a 2.8 percentage point increase from the previous year. However, it still remains

below the regional rate (82.4%) but is now over the national rate which is 81.1 per

cent.

A levels (DfE data)

A level point scores per student across all types of providers decreased from 721.3 in

2009/10 to 709 in 2010/11 (the national average increased from 726.5 to 733.1 in the

same period). This is equivalent to a learner achieving one grade less. This has

resulted in Oxfordshire being the lowest of their statistical neighbours.

Point scores per entry increased from 211.8 to 212.9 (9th out of 11 statistical

neighbours).

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The percentage of A-level candidates who achieved 2 or more A-levels in 2011 was

93.8 (94.7% in 2010). This compares with a maintained sector national average of

92.2 per cent and ranks Oxfordshire 8th out of 11 statistical neighbours.

School Sixth forms (Data Dashboard)

Comparing QCDA GCSEs point scores on entry with QCDA GCE point scores on

exit from Oxfordshire sixth forms, on average those with lower entry levels have

better than average outcomes compared with national figures based on the same

entry levels, and those with high entry levels on average do not do as well as the

national figures.

Apprenticeships (NAS data)

Overall success rates for apprenticeships in 2009/10 were 75.3 per cent compared

with 74.3 per cent across the SE and 73.8 per cent nationally. This is a 3.6 per cent

rise from 2008/09 with the national rate rising by 2.7 per cent.

16-18

Oxfordshire overall Apprenticeship success rates have increased year on year and in

2009/10 was 74.2 per cent, which is higher than the South East and national average

of 72 per cent and 72.4 per cent respectively.

Level 2 apprenticeships for this age group had a success rate of 73.4 per cent in

2009/10 and have seen a year on year increase for the last 5 years. The national rate

was 71.1 per cent.

Level 3 apprenticeships had a success rate of 76.0 per cent which is a 7 per cent

drop from the previous year, and is now at around the national average of 76.2 per

cent.

19+

In 2009/10 the success rate was 77.0 per cent which is above the regional and

national average (75.9% and 74.9% respectively).

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Level 2 apprenticeships for this age group had a success rate of 76.5 per cent in

2009/10 and has seen a year on year increase for the last 5 years. The national rate

was 74.6 per cent.

Level 3 apprenticeships had a success rate of 77.8 per cent which is a 5 per cent

increase from the previous year, and is above the national average of 75.4 per cent.

25+

In 2009/10 the success rate was 74.3 per cent which is below the regional and

national average (75.6% and 75.1% respectively).

Level 2 apprenticeships for this age group had a success rate of 76.6 per cent in

2009/10 which is below the national rate of 77.5 per cent.

Level 3 apprenticeships had a success rate of 70.8 per cent compared with the

national rate of 71.5 per cent.

3.11 Infrastructure

Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges

Abingdon and Witney College is undertaking a £ 7.4m capital programme to improve

the facilities at their Witney campus. This includes specific investment to develop the

vocational offer in West Oxfordshire (construction and hairdressing, for example), to

increase the volume and range of provision for foundation level learners at post-16,

and continue the development of specialist LDD provision. This work is due to be

completed for the start of the 2012/13 academic year. The college‟s plans for the

future include the expansion of their Abingdon campus to include a new engineering

centre and the introduction of hairdressing.

Following the removal of the government capital projects‟ funding in 2009 Oxford and

Cherwell Valley College are now planning to deliver a self-funded and phased

redevelopment programme to improve facilities at all of its sites. This will consist of a

combination of refurbishment and new accommodation and at the moment is being

concentrated in Banbury where the plan is to eventually relocate the entire campus to

the south side of the road. Work started in January 2011 with a £3.4 million project

to remodel the Art and Design building. This was opened in October 2011. The next

phase is to build a new motor vehicle workshop and a new media building.

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The Henley College is undertaking a £2m capital programme to refurbish the existing

sports centre which has the potential to expand their sports provision from

September 2012. Further plans include reconfiguring and refurbishing part of their

music and performing arts facilities, planned for completion by September 2012.

School Sixth Forms

Cooper School has a new sixth form which opened in September 2011 and recruited

103 post 16 learners.

Warriner School is undertaking a consultation to change its status to an 11-18 school

with sixth form delivery planned in conjunction with Oxford and Cherwell Valley

College from September 2012, followed by its own post 16 contract from September

2013.

Academies

Oxfordshire has five academies; three sponsored academies (North Oxfordshire,

Oxford and Oxford Spires) and two converted (King Alfred‟s and Wallingford). There

are a further seven schools in the process of converting; Banbury, Dashwood,

Gillotts, Hanwell Fields, Rush Common, Bartholomew and Langtree.

Free Schools

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that Europa School UK has

been approved to move to the pre-opening stage in readiness to open in September

2012. The proposal is that this free school will be based on the site of the Culham

European School, taking reception, year 1 and year 2 students from September

2012, with the intention of taking learners up to the age of 19 by 2017.

University Technical Colleges (UTCs)

UTCs are colleges for students aged 14 to 19 which specialise in technical studies

and are sponsored by a university. They offer full time courses which have a strong

focus on vocational education and work-based learning and employers are involved

in shaping the curriculum.

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College in partnership with Oxford Brookes University,

Oxfordshire County Council, P3Eco and A2 Dominion have submitted a statement of

intent to open a UTC for 550 14-19 year olds in September 2014. It will specialise in

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a curriculum linked to sustainability, innovation and enterprise and will be located in

the Cherwell District of the county.

Bicester Development

The NW Bicester development was named as one of four Government designated

eco town locations in July 2009. The proposed development is designed to provide a

zero carbon community of 5,000 homes over the next 20 years. P3Eco (Bicester)

Ltd, together with its development partner A2Dominion, has had confirmation that

planning permission has been granted for 393 new homes as part of the first phase

of the NW Bicester Eco development. The plans also provide for outline consent for

new employment, retail, social and community facilities as well as a site for a primary

school to form a local centre at the heart of a sustainable new “village”.

The economic strategy of the Eco development is based around the creation of jobs

by maximising the potential of the Eco town status; through onsite uses (including the

creation of an Eco Business Centre and the promotion of home-working); off site

growth associated with development and population increase and niche construction

jobs.

A further development is also in progress in south-west Bicester where 1,585 houses

are being built, with plans for new primary and secondary schools.

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Glossary

Apprenticeship Framework

Apprenticeships are a way of gaining qualifications and workplace experience. The

apprenticeship framework is made up of a competence based element (NVQ), a

knowledge based element (technical certificate) and key/functional skills.

CBI

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is an independent organisation that

provides a voice for businesses on a national and international scale. They promote

and lobby for conditions in which UK businesses of all sizes and sectors can

compete and prosper.

Education, Skills and Training Domain

This domain captures the extent of deprivation in terms of education, skills and

training in a local area. The indicators fall into two sub domains: one relating to

education deprivation for children/young people in the area and one relating to lack of

skills and qualifications among the working age adult population.

Indicators for children/young people sub-domain are:

Average points score of children at Key Stage 2

Average points score of children at Key Stage 3

Average points score of children at Key Stage 4

Proportion of young people not staying on in school or school level education

above 16

Proportion of those aged under 21 not entering Higher Education

Secondary school absence rate

Indicator for skills is:

Proportions of working age adults in the area with no or low qualifications

GVA

GVA stands for gross value added and is an economic measure of the value of

goods and services produced in an area, industry or sector of an economy.

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Independent Specialist Providers

Independent specialist providers (ISPs) are providers who provide learners with

learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) with training and skills required for

independent living. Local Authorities use these providers to fulfil their statutory duty

to provide learning opportunities for learners with LDD.

Index of Deprivation

The English Indices of Deprivation helps identify and prioritise areas to assist the

government in narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of

the country. The indices have now been produced four times - 2000, 2004, 2007 and

2010, with the method being modified and improved each time.

The Index of Deprivation includes seven main domains and six further sub domains.

There is also a measure of Multiple Deprivation made up from the other domains.

Each of the 32,482 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA's) in England have been

assigned a score and rank.

The domains are:

Income deprivation

Employment deprivation

Health deprivation and disability

Education, skills and training with the sub domains: children/young people,

and skills

Barriers to housing and services with the sub domains: wider barriers and

geographical barriers

Crime

Living environment deprivation with the sub domains: the "indoors"

living environment and the "outdoors" living environment

Job Seekers Allowance

Jobseeker‟s Allowance is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of

work or work less than 16 hours a week on average. If you're eligible, it is paid while

you're looking for work.

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Key Stages

The National Curriculum is divided into four key stages that children are taken

through during their school life. Targets defined in the National Curriculum are

assessed at the end of each Key Stage.

The four Key Stages

Key Stage 1 Ages 5-7 Years 1 and 2

Key Stage 2 Ages 7-11 Years 3, 4, 5 and 6

Key Stage 3 Ages 11-14 Years 7, 8 and 9

Key Stage 4 Ages 14-16 Years 10 and 11

Local Enterprise Partnership

Local Enterprise Partnerships are locally-owned partnerships between local

authorities and businesses and play a central role in determining local economic

priorities and undertaking activities to drive economic growth and the creation of local

jobs. They are also a key vehicle in delivering Government objectives for economic

growth and decentralisation, whilst also providing a means for local authorities to

work together with business in order to quicken the economic recovery.

Oxfordshire Economic Partnership

The Oxfordshire Economic Partnership (OEP) was formed in June 2003 by a number

of Oxfordshire business people together with senior public sector executives to

influence and develop strategies for enterprise and economic development, to

promote competitiveness of the economy, to promote enterprise and economic

growth, to promote education and training of and the development of skills amongst

the existing and future work force, to research and promote the sustenance and

enhancement of the environment and generally to promote in any manner the County

of Oxfordshire for the benefit of its employers, employees and communities. It has

recently been replaced by Oxfordshire Business First.

Public Service Agreement

Public service agreements (PSAs) detail the aims and objectives of UK government

departments for a three-year period. The agreement describes how targets will be

achieved and how performance against these targets will be measured.

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Qualification Levels

Level Examples of qualifications

Entry - Entry level certificates

- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

- Skills for Life

- Functional Skills at entry level (English, maths and ICT)

1 - GCSEs grades D-G

- BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates

- OCR Nationals

- Key Skills at level 1

- Skills for Life

- Functional Skills at Level 1

2 - GCSEs grades A*-C

- Key Skills level 2

- Skills for Life

- Functional Skills at Level 1

3 - A levels

- GCE in applied subjects

- International Baccalaureate

- Key Skills level 3

4 - Certificates of Higher Education

5 - HNCs and HNDs

- Other higher diplomas

- Diplomas of higher education

- Foundation Degrees

6 - National Diploma in Professional Production Skills

- BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates & Awards

- Bachelors degrees

- Bachelors degrees with honours

- Graduate certificates and diplomas

- Professional Graduate Certificate in Education

7 - Diploma in Translation

- BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates & Awards

- Masters degrees

- Integrated masters degrees

- Postgraduate certificates

- Postgraduate diplomas

8 - Specialist awards

- Doctoral degrees

Science Vale UK

The Science Vale UK area is one of the most successful science hotspots in the

country with 13 per cent of research and development employment in the South East

and four per cent in England. The Science Vale UK Partnership brings together key

players who are committed to achieving even greater economic success and

sustainability. The specific areas that make up the Science Vale are Culham

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Science Centre, Didcot, Grove, Harwell Science and Innovation campus, Milton Park

and Wantage.

Skills Funding Agency

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is a partner organisation of the Department for

Business, Innovation and Skills who fund and regulate adult further education and

skills training in England. £4 billion per year of public spending is allocated to

colleges and training organisations, to fund training for adults in England.

The National Apprenticeship Service, is an element of the SFA, works to develop the

relationship with business to drive forward the government‟s ambition for increasing

apprenticeships.

Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance

The ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Centre on Skills, Knowledge

and Organisational Performance (SKOPE) is based in Oxford and Cardiff

Universities. Its main aim is to examine the links between the acquisition and use of

skills and knowledge, product market strategies and performance.

The South East England Development Agency

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is the Government funded

Regional Development Agency, set up in 1999, responsible for the sustainable

economic development and regeneration of the South East. All Regional

Development Agencies (RDAs), including SEEDA, will close by 31 March 2012 and

the responsibility for economic development and regeneration is being passed onto

successor bodies, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and central

Government departments.

Statistical Neighbours

Each local authority has a set of named authorities who are deemed similar in

characteristics for comparative purposes. They provide a method for benchmarking

progress against what might be expected. Oxfordshire‟s statistical neighbours are:

Bath and North East Somerset

Bracknell Forest

Buckinghamshire

Cambridgeshire

Gloucestershire

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Hampshire

Hertfordshire

Surrey

West Berkshire

Wiltshire

STEM

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Working age population

In this research the data related to the working age population is those aged between

16 and 64.

Young People’s Learning Agency

The Young People‟s Learning Agency (YPLA) provides funding to Academies,

general FE and sixth form colleges, and other 16 - 19 providers; and supporting local

authorities to commission suitable education and training opportunities for all 16 - 19

year olds, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities and other

vulnerable groups. The YPLA will be replaced by the Education Funding Agency

(EFA), from April 2012, as an executive agency of the Department for Education, with

responsibility for funding all institutions, who provide for children and young people,

which are not maintained by local authorities.