London Olympics 2012
There are many special opportunities presented by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - the spotlight it throws on the city, the deadline it sets, its uniqueness - to make a permanent reduction in the level of worklessness across the city, starting from now.
What is the London 2012 Employment and Skills Taskforce?
The London 2012 Employment and Skills Taskforce (LEST), which was formed January 2006, sets out a vision of how London will be different as a result of the Games, and outlines an action plan to realise this vision.
Chaired by Jeremy Long, the Taskforce consisted of public and private organisations with a stake in tackling London's worklessness problem and improving the productivity of its workforce. The plan fulfils the Mayor's responsibility to develop a strategy for maximising the skills and employment impact of the Games for Londoners. As such it is the Mayor who will ultimately own the action plan and oversee its detailed working-up and implementation.
How do the Olympics help link people more effectively with work and training?
Jobs arising out of the 2012 Games will fall broadly into three main categories:
- Preparation and construction of the 2012 site and venues
- Staging the Games
- Showcasing London before, during and after the Games.
Whilst getting as many Londoners as possible into these Games-related jobs is a key objective, the Games can also provide a sustained legacy, acting as a spur to raising the skill levels that are needed over the longer term and upskilling people to access wider opportunities. Key proposals include exploitation of the media and wider cultural requirements of the Games, to create sector-specific training and work opportunities for young aspirants in the sector.
How will this media focused up-skilling work?
Skillset has been researching...
- how London 2012 will impact on the industry
- how have previous games looked
- how will technology change
- what are the barriers to entering the industry
- how training organisations can use 2012 to help make a difference.
Skillset has consulted with our industry and those involved at previous games and we'll publish our findings here shortly. We've formed a high level advisory board to steer our work and hope to work with employers right across our footprint to develop a groundbreaking training programme that gives the industry access to talent while creating opportunities for London's vibrant and diverse workforce.
More news on this to follow...
How will training support Londoners?
By working with employers both directly and indirectly involved with the games we're aiming to develop opportunities for those entering the industry. Supported by the London Development Agency and Learning & Skills Council we'll create a framework of qualifications and a pathway into employment and/or higher education. Our aim is to help London's employers grow their skills base and leave a legacy of talented aspiring potential employees
To read the LEST recommendations in full please click on the link below:
