Future-Proofing Adult Learning in London, UK

  9 March 2021 | 14:00 – 15:30 GMT (London time) |15:00 – 16:30 CET (Paris time) via Zoom

What's the issue?

COVID-19 has created a labour market shock in London. Jobs are down 229,000 since March 2020. The tourism and hospitality sectors have been devastated. In the three months to October 2020, the unemployment rate rose a record 1.2 percentage points to 6.3% – the largest quarterly rise since this data started being collected in 1992. The city has seen record numbers of unemployment claims, while 431,000 people remain on the furlough scheme.

Cities are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. Their capacity to design effective adult learning programmes is critical to help firms and individuals navigate the crisis, while also preparing for the future of work. COVID-19 puts significant pressure on adult learning systems – whether it is provided as part of government programmes or administered by the public employment service, private training providers, or employers. London is the first major city within the OECD to introduce a comprehensive skills strategy (the Skills for Londoners Strategy) with the goal of creating a post-16 technical and vocational education and skills system that meets the needs of Londoners and businesses. For the first time, the Adult Education Budget is being devolved to the city. While the crisis could further exacerbate inequalities, this new funding will enable London to take a leadership role in expanding access as well as the relevance of skills training to its local labour market needs.

During this webinar, the OECD will launch a new report on Future Proofing Adult Learning in London, which has been developed in collaboration with the Greater London Authority and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. This new OECD report highlights labour market challenges facing London in light of COVID-19, while also pointing to opportunities for the city to design a future ready adult learning system that aligns training to rapidly evolving labour market demands. Prominent stakeholders from the city will share their views on how London can build back better through more responsive and adaptable adult learning programmes.

Agenda

Contact

Jonathan.BARR@oecd.org

Lukas.KLEINE-RUESCHKAMP@oecd.org

Jules Pipe CBE
Deputy Mayor for Planning
Regeneration & Skills
London

Nadim Ahmad
Deputy Director Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities
OECD

Jonathan Barr
Deputy Head of Division and Head of Unit
Local Employment, Skills and Social Innovation, Employment and Skills
OECD

Joe Billington
Deputy Director
Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) of the
Department for Education‌

Andrew Carter
CEO
Centre for Cities

Clare Coghill
Leader
London Borough of Waltham Forest

Prof. Angus Knowles-Cutler CC FRSA
Senior Advisor
Deloitte
Skills for Londoners Board Member

Karen Maguire
Head of Division Local Employment, Skills and Social Innovation
OECD

Gerry McDonald
Principal
New City College

Patrick Thomson
EMEA CEO of J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Kabir Rattu
Adult learner via Access to Higher Education Diploma in Medicine at
Morley College

Lukas Kleine-Rueschkamp
Economist
OECD