London mayor Ken Livingstone is to head a new skills and employment board for the capital, the Department for Education and Skills has announced.
The move is part of a wide ranging overhaul of the mayor’s powers and gives him a statutory duty to promote adult skills in London.
The new board, including top London business leaders and representatives of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for London, which will co-ordinate day-to-day delivery, and Jobcentre Plus will help equip Londoners with the skills that best meet 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.
Education and Skills Secretary Alan Johnson said: “London is a world class city that needs world class skills.
“Employers need to be at the centre of providing the right skills for our economy. Our Further Education White Paper outlined a greater role for business in shaping training and guidance for colleges.
“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.”
Ken 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.”
