The government’s moves towards a “skills funding devolution” for London, Sheffield and Manchester – with the west midlands possibly to follow – could transform construction skills provision in these areas, it’s been reported.
According to Local Government Chronicle, the Greater London Authority will seek “fewer hairdressers and more bricklayers” under new powers over skills funding awarded in the Budget last week.
The GLA’s deputy mayor for policy and planning, Sir Edward Lister, also told the paper that “there is no course in London to become a crane driver although that is a growth field”.
The skills funding devolution follows the City Deals for Manchester and Sheffield, announced late last year, which give the new city regions substantial control over funding from the Skills Funding Agency.
Devolution of skills funding was one of the key recommendations of the Royal Society of Art’s flagship City Growth Commission, which has been backed by chancellor George Osborne.
It produced a report in October 2013 on how cities can be empowered to shape and drive their economies. It was chaired by macro economist, Jim O’Neill.
In London, Sir Edward Lister, deputy mayor for policy and planning, told Local Government Chronicle that new powers to jointly commission the Skills Funding Agency with central government should see a radical change in courses offered in the capital’s colleges.
He said: “We’ve got the same deal on this as Sheffield and Manchester have, and will jointly commission the SFA with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, though we don’t quite yet know how this will run, probably through the [Local Enterprise Partnership].”
Lister also said that London mayor Boris Johnson had lobbied for the devolution of skills funding because it was felt further education colleges were offering courses that attract students and fill places, rather than courses that businesses need and that supply people with the skills for available jobs.
London boroughs were keen supporters of the change and would be involved in planning the training needed, he added.
