An inclusive and fair local economy

It’s only been a few months since I took on the post of Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business but a lot has happened in that time.

I’m so pleased to be able to share my first update with Southwark Chamber of Commerce, a network I endeavour to work closely with while in this role. Southwark is my home and I’ve always been proud of the rich and vibrant community spirit the borough has. As well as the people, it is the businesses and town centres which make it one of the best places to live and work.

In the week of writing this article, I have met with shop owners and businesses in Albion Street - Rotherhithe, Lordship Lane – East Dulwich and had a meeting to discuss the Peckham Business Forum. Understanding first hand some of the challenges faced by the business community, along with the opportunities we can work together on, has been invaluable to me and I look forward to visiting more businesses across Southwark in the months ahead.

The role of Southwark Council is to ensure all businesses, both established and new, can thrive and adapt as we face the challenges of climate change, cost-of-living and a changing economy front on. This is why green jobs and business security are at the top of my priority list. We have made great advancements over recent years, both as a council and a borough. Supporting 12,000 local people who typically face the highest barriers to employment into work, creating over 4000 apprenticeships, introducing the Southwark Pioneers Fund which has supported hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs and business founders, and establishing the Green Skills Centre so people can access jobs to help tackle the climate emergency. But there are challenges that remain. We know that our town centres across the country have suffered over the past decade. It is essential that people in Southwark have access to the shops and services they need and rely on, and where business owners can feel confident in good levels of footfall that will enable them to grow and thrive.

We also know that many who live locally, particularly young people, feel uncertain about the job opportunities available to them. Ensuring people can access the careers support they need early on will also allow us to develop the skills needed within the local economy. It will also enable us to increase opportunities within growth sectors, like the green economy and life sciences, so local people can access sustainable careers. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Southwark Works, the council’s free, personalised employment service based on Walworth Road. It was amazing to hear from local people who have used the service to access the right support and guidance, not just to secure work, but develop long term careers.

But it’s not just enough to secure the opportunities. In order to ensure we have an inclusive and fair local economy, and that people feel they have the right level of job security, we must ensure people are paid a fair wage. That’s why we have an ambitious plan to double the number of London Living Wage accredited employers by 2026. This is a win-win; people get paid a fair wage for the work they do and those businesses have reputational benefits which make it easier to recruit the best candidates and retain high performing employees.

Since starting this post in May, we have had a change in government with Sir Keir Starmer taking office as our first Labour Prime Minister in almost 15 years. The support from businesses for the new government has been striking, and it’s been energising to see Labour once again re-assert itself as the party of growth and business.

This is a national relationship I want to ensure is mirrored at the local level. It is only through close partnerships that we will make Southwark the most prosperous and inclusive borough possible. I look forward to meeting and connecting with you in due course to ensure we provide the platform to help you to reach your potential and make Southwark an even more vibrant, dynamic and thriving place for everyone to live and work

Join Southwark College on its journey to build an inclusive and diverse workforce for your business needs.

Southwark College are launching five new Stakeholder Advisory Forums to be a platform where business meets skills training.

They are seeking entrepreneurs, business owners and Chief Executive Officers of businesses, charities and educational institutions to join them in the following sectors:

Each Forum will meet twice per year with members able to access the College’s modern campus in the heart of central London to hold networking events and meetings.

By joining the Forum, you will also be able to promote your business or organisation and the workforce vacancies you may have, working with us to plan the skills training your business needs to thrive.

If you would like to find out more about offering work experience or joining the Stakeholder Advisory Forum, contact us to arrange a meeting with Claire Reed, Southwark College Assistant Principal for Skills and Adult Learning, or to attend one of our monthly virtual information sessions.

Preparing young people and adults for great opportunities in Southwark.

We need local businesses and organisations who want to make a difference to local people to join Southwark College in promoting the many opportunities this great borough has to offer.

Southwark College is proud to be at the heart of skills strategy of London and the Borough of Southwark. A member of Central London Forward Advisory Board and part of the development of the Southwark Skills Delivery Plan with employers, civic leaders, Southwark College works with a range of partners to transform skills training for our local community.

It offers a range of courses in partnership with employers across the Borough, including Founders and Coders, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and the Health and Care Hub with the Southeast London Integrated Care System.

It’s Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAP) and T Levels have supported young people and adults to get ahead in their career and support employers to fill the skills gap they have within their own workforce.

“ We have built a really strong and successful partnership with Southwark College. The support of Claire Reed and the team at Southwark College has been fundamental to our ability to innovate, taking the programme in new directions with new groups of partners to enable more SWAP graduates to secure quality jobs in health and care.”

Bach LuuKaparia

Health and Care Hub South East London Integrated Care System