Key stakeholders from businesses, training providers, local authorities, and educators gathered at Kingston College this week to support the South London Employment and Skills Charter.
Spearheaded by the South London Skills and Employment Alliance, the Charter amplifies the voice of businesses in shaping the future workforce. By signing the agreement, attendees demonstrated a unified commitment to aligning skills training with industry demands.
A call to action for South London’s workforce
Sarah Ireland, Chief Executive, Royal Borough Kingston upon Thames, emphasised the importance of collaboration: “It’s vitally important that we invest in the skills, talent and employment opportunities in South London. The Skills and Employment Charter is a great foundation for this, bringing together key players to make the most of our wonderful communities and residents.
“We need to understand what employers and organisations’ skills needs are, firstly to ensure that our educational establishments and our pathways are developing those skills and talents and secondly, for inclusion, to ensure everybody, including those that are currently economically inactive, has an opportunity.”
Key workforce challenges and priorities
Business leaders at the event shared pressing workforce challenges, including:
• The rising cost of employment
• The evolving demand for AI and retrofit skills
• The impact of hybrid working
• Engaging experienced older workers often overlooked by employers
Matthew Hamilton, Director, South London Partnership, reinforced the Charter’s role in building a sustainable talent pipeline: “The Charter is essential to securing South London’s workforce for today and the future. Businesses must be at the heart of this conversation, ensuring we understand their needs and respond effectively.”
He pointed to skills shortages in key sectors – health and care, environment, retail, and hospitality – highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to equip residents with the right skills.
Building a stronger skills and employment ecosystem
The South London Skills and Employment Alliance unites business leaders, educators, local authorities, and employment support organisations to strengthen the region’s workforce development.
Craig Hurring, CEO of Love Wimbledon and Co-Chair of Skills and Employment Alliance, commented: “The Alliance is tackling South London’s skills challenge head-on, ensuring we have the right programmes in place to support residents and create meaningful job opportunities in collaboration with businesses and educators.”
“The Charter is a tangible document that allows you to pledge that you want to be part of the work that’s happening through the Alliance and the Local Skills Improvement Plan and contribute towards ideas, innovations and approaches to build employment and opportunity in South London.”
