Sadiq Khan launches skills body with £114m investment in further education

Sadiq Khan today launched his new skills body to boost training for Londoners with a £114 million investment in the capital’s further education colleges.

Skills for Londoners will focus on tackling high youth unemployment and equipping the London workforce to plug skills shortages after Brexit.

The Mayor also announced a skills taskforce of business leaders, employers and education experts which will help get more 16-year-olds into further education and training.

It will put a strong emphasis on equality, targeting opportunities for girls to excel in science, technology and mathematics skills in particular. The taskforce will also cover issues including all-age careers advice.

Mr Khan also hopes to establish a construction academy with the house-building industry this year, to help address a future shortage of workers including electricians and plumbers.

He said: “Now that we are leaving the European Union, it is more important than ever that we make sure more Londoners gain access to the skills they and our economy truly need.”