The Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to consider its work programme for the upcoming year and to review emerging findings on youth labour market participation. The panel was also scheduled to examine Ealing Council's existing employment and skills initiatives and discuss future strategies to support residents, particularly young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Panel Operations and Work Programme 2026/2027

The panel was scheduled to review its operational plan for the 2026/2027 period. This included considering the proposed terms of reference and work programme for the year. The work programme was set to outline the topics the panel intended to investigate throughout the year, allowing members, officers, and other stakeholders to plan accordingly and track progress. The panel was also scheduled to consider how it would engage with local people and key stakeholders for its upcoming meetings.

Employment and NEETS

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to employment and the issue of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The panel was scheduled to consider the emerging findings of an independent review led by the Rt Hon Alan Milburn, which highlighted national challenges regarding youth labour market participation, including a worsening long-term trend, fragmented delivery arrangements, and a lack of a coherent national participation system.

The report presented to the panel was scheduled to outline how Ealing Council's investments in employment, skills, enterprise, and inclusive growth programmes have established foundations to support residents, especially young people and those furthest from the labour market, into sustainable employment, learning, and training opportunities. The council's existing approach to partnership working, community-based delivery, and targeted interventions designed to improve labour market participation and progression was also scheduled to be discussed.

The panel was scheduled to review the proposed scope, priorities, and development approach for the next phase of Ealing Council's employment and skills offer. This was intended to align with the council's Connected Communities vision, the ongoing delivery of the Ealing Jobs & Skills Strategy, and the principles of Community, Growth, and Power set out in the new Council Plan. The aim was to ensure that economic growth translates into tangible opportunities for local residents.

Specific initiatives that were scheduled to be presented included:

• Ealing Borough Apprenticeship Scheme (EBAS): An employer-facing service designed to support the creation of apprenticeships, jobs, and other opportunities for local residents. EBAS was set to build upon nearly two decades of experience delivering apprenticeship programmes within the council.
• Graduate Programme: The council's first Graduate Programme, which was scheduled to create opportunities for graduates to gain valuable experience within local government and develop careers in public service.
• Work Experience Programmes: Various work experience initiatives were scheduled to be discussed, including a Cultural Insights Work Experience Week for sixth form students and the Greenford Innovation Partnership Work Experience Insights Weeks, aimed at introducing young people to careers in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and engineering.
• DFN Project SEARCH: A supported internship programme delivered in partnership with the University of West London, West London College, and Ealing Mencap, providing opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• S106 Employment & Skills: Working with landowners and developers to monitor compliance with their Section 106 Employment and Skills obligations, ensuring residents are supported into employment and training opportunities, particularly in the construction sector.
• Our Horizons Pathways Programme: A targeted employment and progression programme for care-experienced young people, providing personalised support to help them build independence and progress into positive education, employment, and training outcomes.
• Employability and Skills training: Delivered by Learn Ealing, the council's adult learning and skills service, through GLA-funded provision, offering courses in ESOL, Functional skills English, Digital, Maths, and vocational and professional qualifications for learners aged 19-24.
• The Learning and Skills Hub: Launched in July 2026, this hub was scheduled to serve as a key borough asset within Learn Ealing's network of Learning Zones, providing accessible pathways into learning, skills development, employment support, and career progression for residents.
• Ealing Council Work Experience Pilot Programme: This programme was scheduled to provide opportunities for young people aged 14-15 to access work experience in a wide range of sectors, businesses, and anchor institutions, aiming to strengthen pathways into employment and reduce the risk of young people becoming NEET.
• High Growth Sector Initiatives: The development of inclusive pathways for young people into the borough's high growth sectors, including the WestTech London Skills Hub, the West London Green Skills Hub, and the Ealing Screen Industries Revealed commission.

The panel was also scheduled to hear from representatives of the Ealing NEET Taskforce, which was set up to enable a corporate and cross-directorate approach to reducing and preventing NEET. The taskforce was intended to strengthen collaboration, share intelligence and resources, and reduce duplication.

The report was scheduled to include a case study of a young care leaver who has been supported through the Our Horizons Pathways Programme, and Gary Buckley, CEO of Action West London, was scheduled to present key evidence from the UKSPF People and Skills delivery. Cristi Gonzalez, Head of Adult Learning and Skills, was scheduled to present Ealing Council's Work Experience Pilot Programme.

The panel's feedback was sought to help shape and strengthen the work of the Ealing NEET Taskforce, particularly regarding the proposed approach to mapping existing provision and services that support young people across the borough to identify gaps and opportunities for greater coordination.

The report pack indicated that the panel was scheduled to note the content of the report and supporting presentation. Recommendations were made for the panel to request further clarity on the Pride in Place programme, including priority areas, proposed investment, funding sources, and potential investors. Members were also scheduled to ask for clearer objectives and outcomes for projects, including how success will be measured, and to highlight the need for clear communication with residents about the programme and opportunities for community involvement.