ADD2667 Provision of online job postings data (2023-24)

1.1    A strategic approach to commissioning and delivery of skills requires access to high quality Labour Market Information (LMI).  Better LMI can help to improve the alignment between the skills that employers demand and those people have. This, in turn, can lead to better outcomes for individuals and businesses. 
1.2    To support this aim, the GLA has, over recent years, purchased subscription access to online job postings data (see, for example, DD2591). This data provides a direct indication of the demand for jobs and skills in the capital, rather than relying on indicators of demand at the occupation level. It has several key advantages over traditional sources of LMI, including in terms of timeliness and granularity.  
1.3    In the last year, GLA officers have used access to online job postings data for:
•    regular labour market information to monitor and inform stakeholders about economic trends in London, including quarterly updates on online job postings and analyses of green jobs and skills postings
•    granular information on occupational skills demand to support the development of skills and employment policy and programmes
•    analysis for an updated evidence base to the support the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for London, including identification of priority areas for intervention
•    presentations and infographics on skills needs in priority sectors to share LMI with skills providers and support careers information and guidance.
 

2.1    It is proposed that £29,000 of reserve Skills and Advisory Panel (SAP) funding is used to fund the renewal of the GLA subscription to Lightcast (formerly Emsi Burning Glass) online job postings data for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. This would come from SAP funding provided by the Department for Education and is in line with the objectives approved in DD2591. It should be noted that 2022 23 was the final year of SAP funding from the Department for Education. 
2.2    Alongside traditional sources, this near real-time information is used to track and assess online job postings trends in London. As noted, it provides granular information on employer demand for jobs and skills (both specialised and transferable) in the capital. This subscription will therefore allow GLA officers to continue to share data and information to support effective planning and delivery of adult skills provision in London. 
2.3    It is expected that GLA officers will use this data to:
•    update existing outputs to ensure the GLA has access to timely information on the local labour market and skills needs
•    undertake additional analysis and/or deep dives into areas of particular interest – for example, around skills needs in priority sectors
•    produce materials that disseminate the latest data to relevant stakeholders, including skills providers and careers advisers. 
2.4    The current GLA subscription with Lightcast expired on 30 June 2023. Under advice from Transport for London (TfL) Procurement, GLA officers recently ran a competitive tender process based on a Request for Quotation Form in accordance with the GLA Contracts and Funding Code. As a result of this process, Lightcast was identified as the optimal provider: while another supplier offered a cheaper alternative, it did not suitably address our work requirements, especially at a time when labour market data is becoming more essential to present reliable and timely information on London’s economy. Therefore, Lightcast offers greater value for money while meeting our requirements in terms of access to high-quality and granular data. 
 

3.1    In carrying out any functions in respect of his skills and employment programmes, the Mayor will comply with the public sector equality duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.
3.2    Under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, the GLA must have ‘due regard’ of the need to: 
•    eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
•    advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who have a protected characteristic and those who do not
•    foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
3.3    The Skills for Londoners (SfL) Strategy and Skills Roadmap for London found that key groups with protected characteristics, including women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners and disabled Londoners are under represented in London’s labour market. Access to better labour market information will help to produce work to develop actions to address this, including the prioritisation of inclusive and good quality education and transition opportunities for all, with targeted actions to improve access for protected and under represented groups. 
 

Risks arising/mitigation
4.1    Continued access to online job postings data will ensure that GLA officers maintain an uninterrupted understanding of trends in London’s labour market. By maintaining this subscription, officers can leverage new and updated analyses and outputs, maximising the value of the data for informed decision-making and effective information sharing.
4.2    As 2022-23 was the final year of SAP funding, the GLA will consider funding options for future access to online job postings data beyond June 2024. 
4.3    The SAP reserve fund has arisen from staffing costs for SAP activities which were not cross charged in line with internal arrangements against the Adult Education Budget (AEB).
Links with Mayoral Strategies and priorities
4.3    The continued access to online job postings data will ensure that the GLA has access to up to date information on labour market and skills needs. It will be used to help inform and support the development of employment and skills policy and programmes in London. The SfL Strategy sets out the need to improve London’s skills system across a number of areas, particularly the AEB which has been delegated to the Mayor. It will also be used to help skills providers to understand and find timely, granular, local labour market information, as highlighted in the Skills Roadmap for London.
4.4    There are no conflicts of interest to declare from those involved in the drafting or clearance of this decision.
 

Approval is sought for the expenditure of £29,000 towards the Lightcast online job postings data subscription renewal from July 2023 to June 2024. 
5.2    This will be funded from the reserve SAP programme budget from underspent SAP funding from the Department for Education in financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23. Note, 2022 23 was the final year of SAP funding from the Department for Education. New sources of funding would need to be identified to purchase subscription access to online job postings data in future years. 

5.3    It is within the funding rules to use this funding as outlined.