Londoners who have been unable to access training because of the
restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 are
set to benefit from new funding from the Mayor of London,
.
The Mayor is making up to £9 million available to help skills
providers offer their courses online, as well as targeted support
for learners who may have difficulties accessing such services.
This will help learners develop the skills they need to access
employment, gain confidence in using digital tools – as London
moves to more online working and learning – and help them gain
the wider social and economic benefits of acquiring new skills.
The funding is being allocated from the Adult Education Budget
(AEB), which was devolved to London in 2019.
Around £6 million will be made available through a new Skills for
Londoners Covid-19 Response Fund, which will be accessible to
colleges and local authorities which already receive a grant from
the AEB.
The Fund will be split into two strands. The first will fund an
expansion of online learning, targeted at furloughed workers and
the self-employed (who are earning less than London Living Wage
as a result of Covid-19), those made redundant as a result of the
pandemic, and key workers in need of additional training to meet
the changing needs of their jobs.
The second will build capacity in the skills sector in order to
support learners at risk of exclusion with the shift to digital
learning. It will fund improvements to digital infrastructure,
develop staff to ensure they can deliver online learning, and
redesign courses usually delivered in classrooms so they can be
delivered effectively online.
A further £3 million will be available to procured providers –
largely private companies and charities – which are also funded
through the AEB, in order to help expand their provision of
online learning.
The Mayor of London, , said: “The necessary
restrictions to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 have caused
significant disruption to every aspect of our daily lives.
“London’s fantastic skills providers should be congratulated for
the speed and resilience they’ve shown in moving their courses
online to help Londoners continue to acquire vital skills. But we
know that some providers need help in making the switch to online
learning – and that some Londoners require support to access this
training.
“I’m confident this funding will have a significant impact for
providers and learners. I’m committed to doing all I can to help
Londoners to gain the skills they need to access employment,
despite the difficulties we face now and in the coming weeks and
months.”
The Association of College’s Area Director for London, Mary
Vine-Morris, said: “Colleges like most other businesses in London
have been severely impacted by Covid-19. The response from
colleges to immediately take almost all of their learning online
has been incredible and many students are engaging well.
AoC welcomes this fund which will help improve the delivery of
the online content already being provided, especially for
digitally excluded learners and also for what could be an
extended period of remote learning as we begin to explore what
the ‘new normal’ for teaching and learning looks like.
We have been hugely impressed by how quickly the Mayor’s team
responded to offer assurances to the sector for stability.
Colleges are ready and willing to support social and economic
recovery in the Capital and are expecting to play a crucial role
in helping those impacted by the pandemic.”
London Councils’ Executive member for Skills and Employment, Cllr
Georgia Gould, said: “It is vital that skills providers are
supported to reach Londoners continuing their education and
training during the Covid-19 pandemic and this new fund will
allow these important connections to be made. It is also
essential that provision is made for Londoners who may not have
access to the internet or digital learning platforms.
“London Councils welcomes the announcement of new funding from
the Mayor as we enter the next phase of the pandemic. In the
longer term, we look forward to working with the Mayor and skills
providers, employers and communities throughout London to ensure
that people receive the employment and skills support they need
to be part of the renewal of London’s economy.”
London Chair of the Association of Employment and Learning
Providers, Nichola Hay, said: “It’s really encouraging to see the
Mayor address the needs of those made redundant and potential job
changers, as well as for other groups.
“This is exactly the type of joined-up approach we need across
the country whether it’s a central government or a devolved
initiative, and over the longer term the Fund could pave the way
for a more blended way of learning which would particularly
benefit those from disadvantaged backgrounds who can save money
by not having to travel to attend courses.”
ENDS
Notes
