London mayor to set up construction skills academy

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is to set up a construction academy as part of his newly launched initiative Skills for Londoners.

The academy, to be established later this year in partnernship with the hosuebuilding industry, will aim to increase the number of skilled construction workers in London to help meet housebuilding targets by providing more access to construction skills training and funds for new learning spaces and equipment.

Skills for Londoners is to invest £114m in learning facilities and equipment via the Skills for Londoners Capital Fund over the next four years at London’s further education colleges and other education and training providers.

The scheme will also work with businesses to create apprenticeships and colleges and other skills providers to ensure the training offered meets the needs of the capital.

Khan has also set up the Skills for Londoners Taskforce to develop a city-wide skills strategy for and to help meet his manifesto commitments on skills.

Khan said: “While London is a great place to learn, there is no doubt that not enough Londoners are getting the skills they need to live up to their potential. This also impacts businesses, hampering their growth and forcing them to look further afield for talent.

“Now that we are leaving the European Union, it is more important than ever that we make sure more Londoners gain access to the skills they and our economy truly need.

“Through Skills for Londoners, we will address these problems head-on, giving Londoners the chance to train in the skills that will boost our economy and creating a pipeline of local talent and expertise for our businesses to tap into.”