Tuesday 22nd July 2025 at 2.00pm (online) on TEAMS
Agenda
- Welcome and apologies
- Notes from last meeting
- Apprenticeships
- Raising awareness
- Employers – a job with (subsidised) training
- Recruits – An opportunity to get a job with career potential
- Understanding the breadth and flexibility of apprenticeships (not getting boxed in)
- Colleges and schools – a duty to breakdown barriers
- VENI training Contracts in 2025/26
- Kings Lynn and West Norfolk – supported by Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Council (UKSPF) – and working with DWP and College of West Anglia
- West Suffolk supported by West Suffolk Council (UKSPF)and working with DWP
- East Suffolk – Supported by Sizewell C Tourism Mitigation Fund and working with East Coast College and East Suffolk Council (ECC have a separate contract with ESC).
- Suffolk – Customer Service contract covering the whole county – supported by Suffolk County Council (Adult Skills Fund).
- Skills Bootcamps – Pending – bids in from colleges and other providers
- VENI branding and geography –
- The five colleges approach
- Local Authorities activity
- WorldHost Training Centre – Eastern Education Group – first cohort trained 15th July.
- Pride in Place – Local Ambassadors Programme
- Visit East of England – LVEP updates and devolution
- Funding streams – future approaches and responses to different funding sources.
- Next steps
- Date of next meeting
In attendance
Sarah Anstiss – Sarah.Anstiss@cwa.ac.uk
Frances Bedding – Frances.Bedding@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk
Rachel Bunn – r.bunn@eastcoast.ac.uk
Karen Chapman – karen@oprconsulting.co.uk
Sharon Cousins-Clarke – SharonCousins-Clarke@norwich.gov.uk
Rachael Cozens – Rachael.Cozens@zsea.org
Nicky Crown – nicky@whatahoot.co.uk
Phillip Eke – phillip.eke@West-Norfolk.gov.uk
Paul Gardner – paul.gardner@great-yarmouth.gov.uk
Mason Gill – GILL.MASON@DWP.GOV.UK
Leanne Goodrum – leanne.goodrum@norfolk.gov.uk
James Howells – james.howells@turningfactor.com
Aimee Jay – Aimee.Jay@cwa.ac.uk
Victoria Keen – victoria.keen@centerparcs.co.uk
Louisa Kiddell – louisa.kiddell@norfolk.gov.uk
James Mellish – james@jmenvironmental.co.uk
Graham Peers – graham.peers@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Jo Probitts – Jo.Probitts@eastsuffolk.gov.uk
Rouhaud Laure-Anne – LAURE-ANNE.ROUHAUD@DWP.GOV.UK
Lisa Taylor – lisa.taylor@ccn.ac.uk
Mark Walker – mark.walker2@norfolk.gov.uk
Pete Waters – pete@visiteastofengland.com
Andrew Wheeler – andrew.wheeler@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk
Andrea Wilson – Andrea.Wilson@norfolkchambers.co.uk
Apologies from Katy Dorman and Valerie Watson-Brown
Headline: Apprenticeships
Focusing on Hospitality Apprenticeship week (29th September to 5th October 2025), we discussed a number of exciting initiatives to really promote what the colleges are doing across the visitor economy. Ideas discussed included rebadge the week as “Careers and Apprenticeship Week”, focus on case studies (at least one from each college and from different perspectives e.g. apprentices; employers; tutors. Involve Chambers of Commerce and other business networks; link to other programmes (e.g. SWAPs and Skills Bootcamps); Create videos for different on-line platforms (Tik-tok; Linked-In; X; etc…).
Action: Rachel to organise a cross-college working group to agree action points leading up to the Careers and Apprenticeship Week.
AI Notes:
1. Funding and Collaboration
- Rachel Bunn emphasized the need for smarter, more collaborative approaches to funding, referencing past successes like the ESF programme and the Apollo project.
- Andrew Wheeler and others highlighted the importance of regional partnerships and leveraging collective voices to secure and deliver impactful programmes.
2. Project Updates and Opportunities
- James Mellish shared updates on the “Abbey of Saint Edmund Reborn” project with English Heritage, including apprenticeships and a public engagement event in Bury St Edmunds.
- Frances Bedding discussed challenges and opportunities in work experience, noting employer interest year-round but a mismatch with school schedules.
- Mark Walker outlined a shift toward more flexible, year-round work experience models, with a focus on early exposure (Years 7–11) and co-creation between employers and schools.
- Nicky Crown and Paul Gardner echoed concerns about rigid timing and the need for better alignment between employer needs and educational institutions.
3. Work Experience and Employer Engagement
- Work experience was identified as a key agenda item for future meetings.
- The group agreed it should be used not just for student development but also as a pipeline for apprenticeships and broader employer engagement.
- Rachel Bunn proposed a regional “Careers and Apprenticeship Week” to demystify opportunities and engage schools and employers more effectively (see Apprenticeship Week above).
4. College and Local Authority Contributions
- Andrew Wheeler provided updates on VEE VENI activities across West Suffolk, East Suffolk, and King’s Lynn, including:
- Sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs)
- Customer service training
- Junior Chef and Choose Hospitality initiatives
- Rachel Bunn and Lisa Taylor shared updates on CCTV/security training, event planning pilots, and prison-based chef training.
- Aimee Jay from College of West Anglia discussed employer partnerships, masterclasses, and embedding customer service training (WorldHost) into student and apprentice programmes.
5. Skills Bootcamps
- No new contracts announced yet; decisions expected in late August.
- Mark Walker emphasized the importance of employer-led design and encouraged early collaboration to shape future bootcamp offerings.
- Current bootcamps are live and include digital, leadership, and customer service themes.
6. Local Ambassador Programme
- Phillip Eke presented the new online “West Norfolk Ambassador” course, designed to boost local pride, customer service, and area knowledge.
- Two versions: under-24s and over-24s
- Includes interactive content, videos, and a certificate upon completion
- Promotion via radio, social media, and DWP events
- Potential for rollout in other local authority areas
7. Local Authority Updates
- Louisa Kiddell encouraged sharing events and activities through district skills groups.
- Mark Walker introduced the upcoming “Get Norfolk Working” strategy and the “Connect to Work” programme, which will replace “Working Well Norfolk” and support disadvantaged groups into employment.
8. Next Steps
- Plans to form a working group for the proposed Careers and Apprenticeship Week.
- Continued focus on aligning employer needs, educational provision, and regional funding opportunities.
9. Date of Next Meeting: Online (TEAMS) Tuesday 21st October at 2.00pm