Skills
Giving young people a Kickstart in Bucks
Buckinghamshire Council is offering Kickstart placements across all its service directorates to support young people, as part of a much longer-term project, says Cllr Anita Cranmer.
'Growing our own' jobs will require investment in local councils
If Government wants to maximise the bang for its buck in levelling up the country, then it must start investing in local councils and allow them to skill up local people from all backgrounds, argues Paul O'Brien.
Coalition calls for reforms to ‘flawed’ apprenticeship levy
The Government has been urged to make urgent reforms to the 'flawed' apprenticeship levy by a coalition by local government and major employers in London.
Skills devolution key to levelling up
A panel of experts brought together by the Localis think-tank discussed how to bring about economic growth at a local level.
Harnessing the power of data
A skills mapping platform offers local authorities the ability to show central Government and corporations why their place is worth investing in, says Vanessa Tierney.
Finding local solutions to the challenges ahead
Councils are uniquely placed to convene and work with local and national partners to address the jobs and skills challenge as the economy opens up, says Sir Richard Leese.
Government must get education right to 'level up'
How the Government manages school catch-up policy is closely linked to the levelling up agenda, says Andrew Carter of Centre for Cities. And it needs to ensure it gets education right for both children and adults, he adds.
Why women lose out in the workforce
Women were already off to an unequal start before the pandemic. Now the clock could be turned back even further, says the Centre for Progressive Policy. Ann McGauran investigates.
More than £600m awarded to 26 new Town Deals
The Government has announced the latest round of towns deals, which will see 26 towns across England share over £600m.
Javid: Devolution crucial in levelling up
Former local government secretary Sajid Javid has stressed the importance of devolution in the drive towards levelling up the country.
Queen's Speech: Levelling up takes centre stage
The Government’s levelling up agenda was at the forefront of today’s Queen’s Speech, but the role councils will play remains uncertain.
Level up basic skills to 'build back better,' says CPP
Levelling up basic skills could boost employment by up to 302,000 in the most deprived local authorities, according to new analysis by the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP).
Future Forum North: Collaboration key to levelling up
City council chief executives made a united call for a collaborative approach to levelling up at The MJ's Future Forum North today.
Changing the climate from within
Kate Wilson looks at the challenge of finding talent in an increasingly competitive and talent-short market, while continuing to progress the overall goal of zero carbon emissions.
Counties scale up to the challenges
Counties’ ability to blend both a central and local focus means they should be further empowered to lead on transforming local economies after the pandemic, argues Cllr Barry Lewis.
Councils must take a leading role in our economic recovery
It cannot be left to central Government to determine the labour market strategy and lead on it, says Claire Kober. 'The local government sector has demonstrated its ability to reach areas central Government cannot.'
Transforming the jobs outlook for young people in Essex
Nicole Wood outlines how Essex CC has committed to creating 1,000 new entry level jobs for young people, of all abilities, within 12 months, using an ambitious three pronged approach.
Councils' role is vital to a fulsome recovery
Some loved ones will not be around to experience the renaissance when it comes. But for those who are, 'the critical role of local authorities needs to be recognised and underpinned' if the recovery is to be swift, says Abdool Kara.
Time for some good news
Paul Wheeler reports on a company based in Oldham that believes in the town and want to be part of its future.
Communities and councils need the power to act locally on unemployment
We need to give local authorities the power and the means to tackle unemployment rates at a community level, says Vidhya Alakeson.
