Agenda item

            The Director of Human Resources submitted for the Committee’s consideration the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to outline options for a Belfast City Council apprenticeship programme including indicative costs.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to note the content of this report and determine next steps.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Inclusive Growth Strategy sets out the Council’s commitment to addressing current and future recruitment needs through apprenticeships from entry-level through to higher-level technical and professional qualifications. Apprenticeships provide a sustainable route into employment across all levels of the workforce and as a council we are committed to embedding apprenticeships within our workforce planning strategy.

3.2       The Council has not undertaken an apprenticeship programme in recent years and in line with our commitment as set out in the Inclusive Growth Strategy, SP&R Committee at it’s meeting of 20 October 2023, requested that a paper be brought to a future meeting on introducing a Belfast City Council apprenticeship programme and the potential cost implications.

            Previous apprenticeship programmes

3.3       When the Council previously recruited apprenticeships, these were  in traditional roles such as  Electricians, Joiners, Fleet Technicians, Plumbers, Gardeners and Painters. Our records indicate that since 2005, 38 apprentices were appointed into apprenticeship roles, 26 of whom went on to secure permanent posts in the Council with 2 currently  engaged in Fixed Term Contract posts.

3.4       At the end of an apprenticeship programme, if permanent vacancies existed and the number of qualified apprentices was equal to the number of permanent jobs, apprentices were appointed automatically to those posts. Where the number of vacancies was less than the number of qualified apprentices, the posts were ringfenced to the qualified apprentices, a selection process undertaken, and appointments made in order of merit. 

            Current funding arrangements

3.5       Belfast City Council does not have a central budget to fund apprenticeship programmes and previous apprenticeships have been funded by departments through realigning existing  staffing budgets. There is a desire across all departments  to explore apprenticeships and  address strategic workforce planning challenges. However, the absence of a corporate budget or funding to create new apprenticeship opportunities continues to be a barrier.  Elected Members will be aware that as a public authority, the Council is not able to access government funding for associated apprenticeship training costs, and while this presents an additional challenge, the main issue to be addressed going forward  is the direct salary costs.

            Potential areas to consider for a future apprenticeship programme

3.6       Elected Members asked officers to identify potential areas for apprenticeship programmes. Like many organisations, the Council has experienced difficulties in recent years in attracting applicants to certain roles and in particular, within technical areas where the current supply is not meeting employer demand.  Two potential areas identified are: 

·        CNS, Fleet & Resources ; auto electricians and technicians

·        Digital Services; cyber security, support and systems development.

3.7       Financial and Resource Implications

            The indicative salary costs for  an apprenticeship programme in the Fleet & Resources and Digital Services are set out below. Apprenticeship programmes can take between 1 and 4 years to complete and the average time to complete is usually 3 years. 

            In addition to the recurring salary costs for the period of the apprenticeships, there will be training costs which will vary depending on the specific course, approximate costs are set out in the table above,

3.8       Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

            Recruitment for an apprenticeship programme will  be carried out in accordance with the Local Government Staff Commission’s Code of Procedures on Recruitment and Selection.”

            The Committee noted the content of the report and agreed that a further report be submitted on how such a programme could be financed.