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Local London Hosts SWAP Webinar

On 22nd January 2025, Local London hosted the second in its series of webinars designed to support businesses in navigating the training landscape. The session focused on Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), an initiative which helps employers bridge skills gaps whilst providing jobseekers with essential training and employment opportunities.

The webinar was delivered as part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), a pan-London strategy funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Business LDN in collaboration with London’s four sub-regional partnerships (SRPs): Local London, South London Partnership (SLP), Central London Forward (CLF), and West London Alliance (WLA). LSIP aims to create employer-led training initiatives that address workforce development needs across the capital.

Cathy Back (Local London) began the session by highlighting the LSIP’s role in aligning skills provision with employer demands. She emphasised the importance of SWAPs in equipping jobseekers with sector-specific skills and helping businesses find the right talent.

A panel of industry experts shared their insights on SWAPs, starting with Adrian Gabriel-Lovell (Operations Manager) and Abigail Fernandes (Employer & Partnership Manager), both representing Jobcentre Plus. They provided an overview of the programme, explaining how it connects jobseekers with training providers and employers to create direct pathways into work.

Paul Mason Hughes, Community and Partnerships Manager at New City College, then gave a college perspective on SWAPs, discussing how educational institutions collaborate with employers to ensure training aligns with industry needs.

The webinar also featured representatives from L&Q, one of the UK’s leading housing associations and a committed partner in SWAPs. Roy Pearce, Divine Bonsu, and Lauren Rogers shared how L&Q has used the programme to address skills shortages and enhance social impact. Divine, who joined L&Q through SWAPs, provided an inspiring first-hand account of her journey, offering valuable insights into how the programme has shaped her career.

Throughout the session, speakers answered key questions on the effectiveness of SWAPs, employer benefits, and long-term workforce development strategies. Many noted SWAPs as being a rewarding way for companies to find local talent which both benefitted their businesses, and helped in initiatives to address local work shortages. Attendees engaged enthusiastically with the panel, making the event highly interactive and informative, and creating optimism for SWAP opportunities going forward.

The webinar underscored the importance of collaboration between employers, training providers, and jobseekers in tackling skills gaps and boosting employment opportunities. Businesses interested in leveraging SWAPs were encouraged to explore partnerships with colleges and employment services to create meaningful career pathways.

For more information on upcoming webinars and workforce development initiatives, visit Local London’s website, or get in touch with cathy.back@redbridge.gov.uk if you would like access to the webinar recording.

UPCOMING LOCAL LONDON WEBINARS:

  • Work insights: how do we give young people meaningful experiences of the world of work and inspire the next generation? – Wednesday 26th February 2025, 1-2pm. REGISTER HERE.
  • Youth Recruitment and Retention: What does my business need to know? – Tuesday 18th March 2025, 1-2pm. Link will be attached here once released!

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