Education and skills secretary Alan Johnson has announced that the Mayor of London will lead a new skills and employment board to drive forward London’s continuing economic growth. As part of the new package of powers, London Mayor Ken Livingstone will be given a statutory duty to promote adult skills in the capital. The new board, made up of top business leaders and representatives of the Learning and Skills Council and Jobcentre Plus, will help to equip Londoners with skills that match employers’ needs. It will create a statutory adult skills strategy and annual plan to challenge employers to raise their engagement and investment and ensure adult skills spending is targeted on London’s priorities. Day-to-day delivery of the strategy will be co-ordinated by the Learning and Skills Council. Alan Johnson said: “London is a world class city that needs world class skills. And employers need to be at the centre of providing the right skills for our economy. “We are delighted that the mayor is helping to make this happen in London and are confident that he will be a powerful champion for skills and will be able to use his influence to involve more employers in the delivery of skills for the capital.” Appointments to the board and an implementation group will be announced in the autumn. Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday Livingstone said: “I welcome the government’s commitment to establish the skills and employment board for London which provides us with a great opportunity to work with business, employers and trainers to ensure all Londoners can contribute to and benefit from London’s economic prosperity.”
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Latest NewsEconomics, government & businessDepartment for Work and PensionsSector Skills CouncilsSkills shortages
London mayor to lead skills board for the capital
