In this months edition of the Employment and Skills update, we highlight funding opportunities and opportunities to help address in-work poverty across the capital such as the Mayor investing millions to innovative projects to train 20,000 Londoners. We also share sector news such as 32 of the capitals voluntary sector organisations writing to chancellor Phillip Hammond Urging investment in public services to be a priority at the next spending review.

Sector Updates

London Good Work Commissioners give evidence

The London Assembly Economy Committee recently examined the complex relationship between low pay, the flexible labour market and living standards and what the Mayor can do to lift more people out of poverty. Appearing before the committee was Sam Gurney, Regional Secretary, Trade Union Council, London, East & South East and the Living Wage Foundation, both of whom, are on our London Good Work Commission.

32 of the capital’s voluntary sector organisations and funders write to the Chancellor

The plight of millions of Londoners affected by stretched local public services has led to 32 of the capital’s voluntary sector organisations and funders to write to the Chancellor, Philip Hammond. The letter says the impact of reductions to London boroughs’ funding has rippled out to affect London’s voluntary sector, leading a larger number of Londoners with more severe and complex needs to turn to charities and advocacy groups. London boroughs’ core funding has fallen 63 per cent during this decade. At the same time the capital’s population has grown by almost 1 million people and looks likely to increase further in the years ahead. The letter urges the Treasury to prioritise greater investment in local public services in the next Spending Review.

Mayor awards £57m to innovative projects to train 20,000 Londoners

Twenty thousand Londoners are set to benefit from £57.6million of improvements to training facilities and equipment thanks to investment from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The second round of the Mayor’s Skills for Londoners Capital Fund has committed the funding to 17 further education projects in 11 boroughs, a number of which will focus on construction and digital skills, as well as training those with special educational needs and disabilities. Investments range from £150,000 to £10 million. The funding includes £7.2 million for projects under the Mayor’s Construction Academy – an initiative which helps Londoners gain the skills needed to find work in the construction sector and forms part of Sadiq’s wider efforts to help tackle the capital’s housing crisis.

Funding Opportunities 

GLA/ESF: Head 2Work

The Head 2Work project will support young Londoners aged 18 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). They may have other specific complex needs or characteristics of disadvantage, which increases the risk of them experiencing reduced opportunities, low incomes and unemployment later in life. The project will help young people to build their confidence and skills through social action and volunteering, working directly with business mentors and employers and receiving employability training. These activities will support their transition into sustained employment, education or training. The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm on Friday 19 July 2019.

Young Londoners Fund

The Mayor’s £45 million Young Londoners Fund is helping children and young people to fulfil their potential, particularly those at risk of getting caught up in crime. It is supporting a range of education, sport, cultural and other activities for young Londoners. The Young Londoners Fund aims to: provide aspirational and positive activities to help support young people to make positive choices and reach their potential; give new options to children and young people most at risk of taking the wrong path and stop them getting involved in violence and criminal activity; improve coordination and capacity of London’s youth offer so more children and young people can access services. Round two of the Young Londoners Fund will close at midday on Friday 12 July.

The London Family Fund

The Mayor is offering £600,000 over three years to improve social networks, reduce isolation, and bring children and families together. The London Family Fund will award grants between £10,000 and £85,000 to innovative projects that promote social integration in London. The fund will: support projects working with hundreds of London’s families to increase social integration; generate more diverse social networks, reduce parental isolation and loneliness, and improve the wellbeing of children; share and promote best practice in the family services and early years sectors. The deadline for applications is 9am on Wednesday 19 June 2019.

Other Opportunities

Do you want to help tackle in-work poverty?

RedbridgeCVS is recruiting a Careers Coach as part of its new project, “Progress In Work” which will support local people experiencing in-work poverty to increase their income through better paid work, increased hours or career progression. We are looking for a Careers Coach to recruit participants for the project, support employers to provide good employment opportunities for local people, and provide advice, practical employment support and careers guidance to eligible residents of Redbridge. Closing 12 noon 20 June 2019. For information see: https://www.redbridgecvs.net/jobs/careers-coach

Better Work Conference

One of our London Good Work Commissioners, the Learning and Work Institute, will be holding their inaugural Better Work Conference on Monday 24 June. The conference will mark a year since the launch of the Better Work Network and will focus on innovative approaches to tackling low pay and poor quality work. The conference will feature a fantastic range of speakers including Debbie Weekes Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Bharat Mehta CBE, Chief Executive of Trust for London, and representatives from DWP, BEIS, FSB, Living Wage Foundation and Timewise. Employment support providers and other adult services will also be attending to share insight around the best ways to support low paid adults to progress in work.