Skills for Growth

Is devolving skills policy to local areas a necessary precondition for economic growth?

Author: Alex Thomson, Localis (ed.)   |   09/08/2012

Localis has published a new Policy Platform entitled ‘Skills for Growth: Is devolving skills policy to local areas a necessary precondition for economic growth?’

Against a backdrop of a challenging financial landscape and employment environment, this Policy Platform outlines what policies are needed to meet the skills and training needs of both individuals and the UK economy. We at Localis would argue that there needs to be local flexibility to tailor a response to imbalances within the skills system and significant skills shortages, both for the sake of individuals and for the wider economy.

While the contributors offer a variety of perspectives on how local areas can go about improving the quality of skills provision and who should take the lead, they all agree that local organisations such as local authorities, colleges, and employers have a vital role to play in improving skills and training for our learners.

• Councillor Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council, argues against a one size fits all system which fails to speak to local priorities, and highlights that local authorities have a vital role in coordinating responses to wider social issues

• Louise Broom, Chief Executive and Principal of Lewisham College, suggests that colleges should work with local authorities in a strategic partnership, while suggesting that enterprise needs to be a feature of the post compulsory offer for all learners.

• Councillor Lynda Jones, Chair of the Working Well Policy Development Board at Cheshire West and Chester Council argues for a community budgets approach to strategically and comprehensively review the way that the system operates in partnership with all public service agencies.