We welcome the renewed focus on skills and the publication of the first dedicated citywide Skills for Londoners Strategy. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) will look to play an active role in contributing to a successful skills landscape in London, including through our relaunched Work and Employment Policy Advisory Committee, our research work and polling. In addition to our Young Chamber initiative which places member businesses into schools so that students are able to gain insights into the world of work and career opportunities.

This response will focus principally on the proposals set out within the draft strategy on meeting the needs of London’s economy and employers, now and into the future including:

• Adopting a flexible migration system to address skills gaps throughout the capital.
• The Mayor’s Construction Academy Scheme initiative.
• Greater flexibility for apprentices.
• And the Mayor’s commitment to encourage greater cross-borough collaboration between each of the 33 local authorities across the capital, to plug skills gaps locally.

To read LCCI’s full response, please click here