Improving the training available for Green Skills in West London

Are you an SME conducting business in West London seeking college recruits ?

Help amplify the small business voice to shape West London college courses and curriculum by sharing your views through this questionnaire

West London Business has been appointed by the government to offer free support sessions to small and medium businesses (Training Needs Analysis). These sessions are a deep dive into your business with the support of a trained facilitator and an industry expert to give you a better idea of what your workforce needs and how their skills could be enhanced to meet the growing demand for environmentally sustainable services. This tailored analysis is available on a first come, first served basis as spaces are limited. Please register your interest through the expression of interest form below. 

To take part in this, you need to be available for two short discussions with our TNA consultant:

  • 1 hour virtual meeting with the business owner – to be booked over the 9th, 12th, 16th of January 2023
  • 2.5 hour facilitated session with a wider range of employees to be conducted either at the SME’s premises or virtually. The following dates are available: 18th, 19th, 20th, 24th, 26th, 30, 31st of January or 1st of February

Project overview

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has set a target for London to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. To support this ambition, West London Business has been appointed by the Department of Education to work with the Further Education colleges in the area to review current and future training needs within small businesses and improve the way that these needs are met. 

Extensive research commissioned by the West London Alliance has identified a significant skills deficit in green skills among West London employers, with a lack of suitable talent being one of the key barriers for to business development.  

This report by WPI Economics and Institute for Employment Studies examines the situation in detail: Full Report and Summary Slides.

For this project we are focusing specifically on several of the most important activities contributing to Net Zero:

  • retrofitting properties
  • energy efficiency
  • low carbon transport
  • management of green spaces
  • digital and light green skills

The sectors providing relevant services include property, construction, electricians, transport, logistics and environmental services.

Well trained employees are critical for businesses to take full advantage of the development opportunities that are available. You can find an overview of the training that is now available and is being planned by colleges here.

In that context we are seeking the views and the direct involvement of relevant businesses in making sure that the voice of employers is properly heard in discussions about the development of new courses and curriculum and the way in which training is provided.

There are many ways that employers can contribute:

  • completing a short questionnaire 
  • engaging in a more detailed and specific analysis of your business and the skills and workforce needs and opportunities
  • contributing directly to the development of new courses and to the review of existing ones
  • putting forward staff to be involved in the delivery of training 
  • participating in promotional events including job fairs and workplace visits.

 If you would like to help, please contact Léa at lea.sri-pathmanathan@westlondon.com