London lags behind on apprenticeship creation
16 October 2014
London is lagging behind other regions in England when it comes to the number of apprenticeships, despite having a major problem with youth unemployment, the Greater London Authority says.
Thu, 16 Oct 2014
London is lagging behind other regions in England when it comes to the number of apprenticeships, despite having a major problem with youth unemployment, the Greater London Authority says.
It said sectors such as construction, information and communications technology (ICT) and leisure, travel and tourism, where London has particular strengths, were among the worst performing sectors in terms of the proportion of apprenticeships created.
‘Trained in London’, a report by the London Assembly Economy Committee, has highlighted the challenges London faces and calls on Mayor Boris Johnson to use his power and influence to help.
In a statement from the authority, economy committee member Stephen Knight said London was at risk of getting left behind in terms of skills and employment opportunities for young people.
“London should be investing in its future, if we are to remain the engine of the UK’s economy,” he said.
The authority said the Mayor’s target of 250,000 apprenticeships by 2016 was looking unlikely and he should launch an Apprenticeship Action Plan with a clear strategy to achieve it.
Meanwhile, the demand for electricity apprenticeships is so high that 749 applications were received for 29 advertised UK Power Networks apprentice positions, a statement from the company says.
They will spend the next three years learning a trade in electricity distribution that will ultimately see them keeping the lights on across London, the South-East and East Anglia.
London is lagging behind other regions in England when it comes to the number of apprenticeships, despite having a major problem with youth unemployment, the Greater London Authority says.
It said sectors such as construction, information and communications technology (ICT) and leisure, travel and tourism, where London has particular strengths, were among the worst performing sectors in terms of the proportion of apprenticeships created.
‘Trained in London’, a report by the London Assembly Economy Committee, has highlighted the challenges London faces and calls on Mayor Boris Johnson to use his power and influence to help.
In a statement from the authority, economy committee member Stephen Knight said London was at risk of getting left behind in terms of skills and employment opportunities for young people.
“London should be investing in its future, if we are to remain the engine of the UK’s economy,” he said.
The authority said the Mayor’s target of 250,000 apprenticeships by 2016 was looking unlikely and he should launch an Apprenticeship Action Plan with a clear strategy to achieve it.
Meanwhile, the demand for electricity apprenticeships is so high that 749 applications were received for 29 advertised UK Power Networks apprentice positions, a statement from the company says.
They will spend the next three years learning a trade in electricity distribution that will ultimately see them keeping the lights on across London, the South-East and East Anglia.
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