Fighting fund banner

 

Lecturers' union welcomes Mayor's new influence over London skills delivery

14 July 2006

UCU has welcomed the announcement by secretary of state Alan Johnson, that the Mayor of London will be given powers to produce and promote a strategy for developing adult skills in the capital.

UCU represents college lecturers throughout the UK, including those teaching adults skills.

According to the announcement, a new London Skills and Employment Board will prepare a new skills strategy for London which will set priorities and devise an annual plan for delivering the strategy. There will be a new, single, Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for London.

UCU national official Christiane Ohsan said: 'UCU welcomes the creation of a single LSC for London and the introduction of some democratic accountability in the creation of skills policy. This is a very sensible and much needed development and something which we (when in predecessor union NATFHE) have long argued for. It will now be possible for the development of a skills strategy which can serve the unique needs of London and its diverse population rather than crudely satisfy the demands of national targets.

'It is to be especially welcomed that the adult education budget for the capital can take account of the diverse needs of local people. Nationally there is currently a dreadful culling of adult education courses which will devastate adult learning provision in September. Hopefully London may now be able to avoid the worst impact of this by developing priorities which are sensitive to the needs of local people. It could also demonstrate a better way of managing skills policy across the country.

'UCU hopes to talk directly to the Mayor about an appropriate skills strategy, as we can provide the extensive local and professional knowledge of lecturers and trainers from throughout London.'

Last updated: 15 December 2015

Comments