Education watchdogs give South Tyneside Council service a '˜good' rating

The education watchdog rated South Tyneside Council as good when it comes to training for employment and skills.

More than 3,500 people a year are supported by the local authority’s business, employment and skills service and Ofsted inspectors said the training programmes have a ‘clear vision’ of what is needed.

Coun John Anglin, lead member for regeneration and economy, said he was pleased with the report from the education body.

He said: “We’re delighted the inspector recognised how we are committed to delivering the relevant training needed for our workforce to meet the region’s economic demands both now and in the future.

“In particular, we are working to deliver the necessary skills for future innovation and industry such as the International Advanced Manufacturing Park and its wider supply chain.

“We’re also pleased that the report highlighted and praised how we use community and family learning to target hard to reach groups effectively. This approach has allowed us to re-engage with and upskill residents who have not participated in education or training.

“However, we are not complacent and will continue to build on the strengths identified in the report and provide high-quality and relevant education to enable the borough’s residents to fulfil their potential.”

In the report, inspectors said: “Senior leaders and elected members who are responsible for setting the direction of the business, employment and skills provision delivered by South Tyneside Council have established a clear vision and strategy to ensure that the service contributes effectively to the employment and skills needs of residents of South Tyneside and employers in the North East.

“Programmes now focus very well on providing adults with opportunities to follow accredited courses that develop the industry-specific and essential work-related skills and behaviours that they need to progress into work with employers in the region.

“You target effectively residents who have not participated in education, training or employment for a long time and those with personal barriers to doing so.

“Your strategy to engage unemployed males in training programmes in the renewable energies industry, a growing labour market in the North East, is a good example of this.

“Adult learners on non-accredited courses gain in confidence and improve their self-esteem and, as a result, a high proportion move on to accredited courses or find paid or voluntary work.”