That the Council support and formally adopt the Apprentice Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

The adoption of the Strategy would have a positive impact on youth unemployment within Torbay and the Council would be creating apprentice employment opportunities.

Alternative options are set out in the submitted report.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on Wednesday, 12 March 2014 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Whilst Torbay Council does employ Apprentices, it does not have a formal approach to recruitment and opportunities for Apprentices remains low.  Human Resources wishes to work with Business areas to increase the number of Apprentices with a clearly defined target, namely identifying Apprentice opportunities and developing key skills that the workforce of the future will require.  The introduction of a formal Employing Apprentices Strategy for Torbay Council will support the Council in its role as Corporate Parent and demonstrate its commitment in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility in giving priority to hard to reach groups such as those leaving care and NEETs in the 16-24 year age group.

The Mayor supported the recommendations of the Council made on 27 February 2014, as set out in his decision above.

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