5 September 2024
A report highlighting the progress made on the ambitions of the South London annex to the pan London Local Skills Improvement plan has been published today, highlighting the strides made to improve skills, employment and economy across the sub-region along with the progress report on the London Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).
In shaping the South London LSIP businesses, employers, and key stakeholders have universally welcomed the opportunity to develop a more tailored and localised approach to skills. The challenge in ensuring that the skills employers need is matched by those possessed by the workforce within the SLP area is a constant one. By developing a more strategic approach, the South London annex builds on many of the issues identified with the pan London Local Skills Improvement Plan LSIP, but also responds to the specific challenges and opportunities for the existing and future workforce within the SLP sub region. It highlights five priority sectors in the region and cross-cutting themes that are vital for continued economic growth in the region including construction, health and care, hospitality and retail, ICT and communications and education. As well as the cross cutting themes of digital, working with employers, inclusion, green skills. It has been led by South London Partnership, in partnership with BusinessLDN who are leading on the pan-London LSIP and funded by the Department for Education.
The 2024 progress report highlights the significant progress made by South London Partnership and stakeholders across South London to better connect the skills system with employers and meet the needs highlighted by them as identified within the plan.
Polly Persechino, Head of Economy, Skills and Employment at South London Partnership said: “With over £1.1m of investment secured by SLP over the last year, in addition to Local Skills Improvement Funding, partnerships in the sub-region have made extensive progress to strengthen the skills and employment system with an initial focus on health and care, green skills, and the built environment, as well as the crosscutting themes of improving learner demand and improving diversity and inclusion across the system. We’ve done a lot in a short amount of time but there is still plenty of work to be done.”
The Minister for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern said: “I welcome the publication of the Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report for London and South London. These reports set out progress made on meeting the skills needs of local employers. As well as being a valuable source of information for local skills deliverers, employers and stakeholders, the reports along with the LSIPs themselves, will provide important intelligence for the newly established Skills England.” (The Minister for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern)
The delivery of the Local Skills Improvement Plan is part of a commitment by the South London Partnership to boost improving the skills and employment system in South London and to build a strong sustainable economy across Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, and Sutton. If you would like to know more or would like to know how you can get involved please get in touch with the team at admin@southlondonpartnership.co.uk