London First

2006 saw the creation of a new London Skills and Employment Board (LSEB) with responsibility for adult skills strategy, following lobbying by London First.  The Board is chaired by the Mayor, with former London First Chairman Harvey McGrath as its vice chair.

To ensure the Board has a strong business focus, London First worked hard to secure majority business representation.  We  managed a programme of quantitative research across 2000 London employers which will be followed by qualitative consultations with our member companies during autumn/ winter 2007.  This research formed the basis of the Board’s strategy which was launched on 17 July 2008 and will shape London’s skills delivery from 2008/9.

London's Future: Skills and employment strategy for London, 2008-2013

London Employer Accord

London First aims to ensure the 2012 Games act as a major catalyst to get 75,000 more Londoners into work.  However, it is vital that training opportunities are relevant to the gaps in the London labour market.  London First is spearheading the London Employer Accord as a practical platform for employers to engage with training providers to achieve this.
Further details


Leading London

Our innovative awards scheme recognises business savvy students from London's post-1992 universities and provides them with the opportunity to impress London's leading employers.  Aiming to drive workforce diversity in the capital, the scheme will be piloted with London Metropolitan University in 2009, before being rolled out to London other 1992-universities in subsequent years.  Further details

London First Education Network

London First runs a pan-London network of academic leaders (vice-chancellors, principals of colleges and head teachers) and business people with an interest in education initiatives.  Network meetings showcase joint initiatives and discuss opportunities for business and education to work together to ensure Londoners’ skills match employers’ needs.

Other useful links
FE sector good pratice guide in working with employers and employees - DIUS/LSC publication, including case studies

If you would like to join the network, please contact John Attree