LONDON is lagging behind in training for the skills needed to create more jobs in the industries that will get us out of recession, a report warns. It is well-placed to capitalise on jobs growth, but needs invesment in skills training

By Mike Brooke

LONDON is lagging behind in training for the skills needed to create more jobs in the industries that will get us out of recession, a Government-commissioned report warns.

It is well-placed to capitalise on jobs growth, with three of the six priority’ industries, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, digital economy and financial & professional services which will drive future economic growth in Britain.

But this potential won’t be realised unless there is investment in the right skills in these industries, according to the first National Strategic Skills Audit by the UK Commission for Skills & Employment.

“London may be well-placed to take advantage of the industries of the future,” said the Commission’s chief Chris Humphries. “But that depends on people being equipped with the right skills.

“We still lag behind many of our major economic competitors.

“To catch up, skills investment needs to connect more to the jobs that need doing now and that will need doing in the future.

“We need more and better businesses with jobs not just to recover from the recession, but be better than we were before the downturn.”

The Commission has been asked by the Government to report on skills employers need for economic success and how firms can use these skills to become more globally competitive.