AELP welcomes Mayor’s engagement with providers on improving Londoners’ skills as AELP London is launched

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers has increased its policy building capacity and representative presence in the capital by launching today a new regional provider network called AELP London. 

The new network replaces the former London Work Based Learning Alliance (LWBLA) and its membership will comprise independent training providers, colleges, universities and other providers who deliver employment and skills programmes in London.

The launch of AELP London today (27th Apr) at City Hall is timely with the Mayor soon to publish his ‘Skills for Londoners Framework’ and the confirmation of the timetable for the devolving of the Adult Education Budget.  Speakers at the launch include AELP Board member and Outsource Training and Development director, Nichola Hay, AELP CEO Mark Dawe and Forogh Rahmani, Senior Manager – Strategy, Policy & Relationships, Skills & Employment Unit, Greater London Authority.

AELP CEO Mark Dawe said:

‘The launch of AELP London is part of our response to the Mayor’s very welcome invitation for providers to be directly engaged in taking forward the ‘Skills for Londoners Framework’ and other devolved programmes.  We have already had very positive meetings with the GLA that clearly show a willingness to work together with providers of all types on programmes that will directly benefit London’s economy. 

‘Prioritising sectors that are key to particular regions is an undoubted advantage of devolution.  There is an opportunity in London and the other Mayoral Combined Authorities to explore new commissioning models which will generate more effective outcomes for skills and we look forward to discussing proposals with the GLA.’

A dedicated Senior Policy Officer will be employed to manage AELP London, supported by an Advisory Board populated by two representatives from each of London’s four regions.

AELP London will be supported by the established AELP infrastructure and its head office function. This arrangement will support sustainability and reduce costs, and open up a new range of services to AELP London members.  AELP London members will also benefit from AELP’s well-respected policy team with AELP CEO Mark Dawe committed to taking a leading role in supporting the lobbying objectives of London-based providers.

AELP has worked closely with the Board of the LWBLA to effect a smooth transition and the launch of AELP London has been endorsed by the LWBLA Board.   

From 2019/20 the circa. £300m per annum Adult Education Budget (AEB) in London is being devolved to the Mayor of London.  Devolution presents the opportunity to create a localised skills system that is responsive to the diverse needs of the capital’s population. Working with London’s boroughs, the Mayor plans to respond dynamically to the unique context of London and tailor the capital’s adult education system to put the needs of individual Londoners at its heart.  The Mayor is publishing the Skills for Londoners Framework in early summer, which sets out the proposed priorities and delivery arrangements for the AEB in London.