Building green skills

Building the local green economy: getting the skills in place

On 29 October, London Councils hosted the second of its workshops looking at growing the green economy, this time focusing on building the skills base needed.

The green economy continues to be an area of potential economic activity and growth, particularly in light of the spending review, changes to skills investment and the commitment to establishing a green investment bank. This area of work also feeds into the local economic assessment. Consequently it is essential that boroughs continue to engage at both an environmental and economic development level.

At the previous seminar, the focus was on how the boroughs could grow their local green economies. This event looked at building the green skills base; allowing local people to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. 

The presentations at the event helped the attendees;

• Identify the current capacity to deliver green skills – looking at the research the London Development Agency has already undertaken into where green businesses are located in London and the scale of job opportunities;
• Show how we develop the low carbon skills economy locally – through working to identify the local green economy with a view to building a framework which identifies the requirements of local businesses and tacks action to meets their needs.
• Reveal the extent to which skills providers are able meet the needs of green businesses – looking at the example of the Skills for London project and the engagement colleges have made with the private sector.

The London Development Agency is looking to refresh its data and are also hoping to add GIS information on business locations. London boroughs were asked to check the details circulated at the meeting and feedback any queries they identify.

London Councils is now looking to draw together a series of borough based case studies and best practice. London boroughs wanted to contribute are asked to put forward details of the work they are undertaking.