Thu, 30 Oct 2014 A £70m jobs stimulus package comprising proposals from all 32 London boroughs and the City of London has been given the green light.

The programme, approved by members of the London Enterprise Panel yesterday [29 October], will create more than 7,000 apprenticeships, help 6,600 Londoners into work and get 720 new businesses started.

It will also see 130,000sq m of public space regenerated and 180,000sq m of workspace developed. The projects will form part of the New Homes Bonus and will be funded through a grant paid by central government to councils that see an increase in the number of new homes in their catchment areas.

Among the initiatives that have been approved are:

• A cross-borough construction jobs brokerage, led by the City of London, which aims to get more than 1,000 unemployed people into work and offer pre-employment preparation to more than 500. Construction vacancies will be circulated across borough boundaries to teams of specialist, construction industry job-brokers.

• A project, led by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, will offer apprenticeships, skills and training opportunities to children in care, people from disadvantaged communities, ex-offenders, and individuals with disabilities and mental health issues. It aims to help 150 people into employment in six months.

• A total of 33 apprenticeship schemes across London have also been approved. The apprenticeships will be offered in a number of different sectors and some will focus on training and skills, and therefore be unpaid. 

• Two new jobs hubs will be created in the borough of Hackney to inform local residents with job opportunities associated with fast-growing sectors. This project is designed to help 550 people into jobs.

• The Wandsworth Food Enterprise will support and advise independent food and hospitality businesses in the borough of Wandsworth. 

 

• A business development programme will make improvements to three retail hotspots in the borough of Waltham Forest, as well as offer training in building maintenance, visual merchandising, promotion and social media marketing to retailers.

• Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to promote and sell their goods via a ready-made platform and shop window on Sutton High Street. This initiative is designed to help budding business leaders test the viability of their product and services, develop robust business models and grow their business.

• Want to comment on this story? The Comment box is at the bottom of the page. Sorry for the glitch but just scroll right down and share your opinions!