A major new programme of action to tackle London's chronic skills shortages, particularly in the health and construction sectors, was unveiled today (Wednesday 26 March).
The London Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESA) aims to ensure that employment and skills programmes better serve the needs of Londoners and businesses in the capital. It represents the first fully
collaborative approach to addressing London's skills shortages.
The FRESA has been developed by the London Skills Commission, the new umbrella body which links London's main skills and employment organisations from the private, public and community sectors.
Among the new London FRESA initiatives announced today are four 'flagship' programmes:
NHS pan-London Skills Escalator to recruit and retain more health care professionals: The NHS estimates it will need an extra 45,000 people over the next five years to fill job vacancies to meet London's rising demand for
services. This scheme will be jointly delivered by the NHS and the London Skills Commission and aims to address this shortage through recruitment, training and retention programmes for health workers across Greater London
(Source: NHS London Regional Office research, 2002)
Construction skills programme to tackle the severe shortage of skilled staff in the sector: 10,000 skilled construction staff ranging from qualified engineers to bricklayers will be needed annually to deliver
London's key building projects, such as the National Stadium and the developments in Thames Gateway. (Source: ECITB sector workforce development plan 2002). The new programme includes pilot community projects such as the
Kings Cross / St Pancras Development Labour initiative, a scheme which provides basic building skills training to residents from the local community and further training to those wishing to improve their skills. A job brokerage service will help place candidates in building jobs with local construction firms
Basic Skills Programme to address the urgent need for more teachers of basic skills. An estimated 25% of all Londoners lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. 40% of employers say that a major reason that lower skill
level vacancies remain unfilled is due to a lack of suitably qualified candidates. The problem has been intensified by the shortage of basic skills tutors. The new FRESA is designed to tackle this problem. (Source: Basic
Skills Agency 2001)
Job brokerage and skills transfer scheme to help London's estimated 280,000 refugees. This follows research showing that many refugees are highly qualified in sectors which are severely understaffed in London, e.g. health, engineering and teaching.
Michael Ward, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency which jointly chairs the London Skills Commission said: The skills shortage is now so acute in some sectors, particularly in construction and health, that it
threatens to impair London's economic performance and the quality of life in the capital. The FRESA initiative is a welcome development since it provides the first co-ordinated action plan to enable people to boost their skills so they can participate fully in London's economy.
Ken Coello, Joint Chair of the London Skills Commission said: London has two choices: it either continues with its many disparate initiatives to improve the knowledge base of its population, or it allows the key agencies to come together to ensure resources are exploited to fully develop people's talents and abilities. If London fails in this challenge, we will struggle to maintain our position as a world city.
Digby Jones, Director General of the CBI, said: This is an excellent example of a 'joined up' approach to addressing the capital's severe shortage of skilled workers. I congratulate the London Skills Commission and its members for producing a dynamic and practical range of solutions
which target the specific recruitment pressure points across London's private and public sectors.
London FRESA will be officially launched at the Barbican Centre in London on Wednesday 26 March at 8am. Ivan Lewis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Adult Learning and Skills and Digby Jones, Director General of CBI
will be speaking at the event together with Michael Ward and Ken Coello.
Action plan to tackle London skills shortages
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