ADD2520 Helping Londoners into Good Work – sectoral workforce analysis

1.1. In December 2019, the Assistant Director – Skills and Employment signed ADD2409 authorising expenditure of up to £20,000 to procure the delivery of events to increase awareness of the obstacles to participation and promote best practice on recruitment, retention and support of apprentices from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in London. This funding was provided by the Department for Education (DfE) as a part of the 5 Cities project.

1.2. Due to the impact of COVID-19 from March 2020, there were limited opportunities for the type of events identified in the original decision.

1.3. As such, the use of the £20,000 funding was changed (ADD2511) to fund research consultancy services to identify the reasons and options for addressing the underrepresentation of Londoners hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The DfE confirmed (October 2020) that the funding does not need to be returned and can be used on activities as the GLA sees fit.

1.4. Early scoping analysis highlighted the complex nature of the sectors in question and the need to delve much further into the evidence – beyond the quantitative indicators – to understand the structural challenges each sector faces, that prevents underrepresented groups from accessing opportunities. Therefore, we are seeking an additional £29,000 to support the research activities required. The £29,000 will be funded from the budget allocated to the Good Work for All mission aim relating to the development of sector-specific Skills ‘Academies’.

1.5. The increase in budget is also necessary due to the limitations regarding the quantitative data analysis, being carried out by GLA City Intelligence Unit. The data is likely to be less granular than needed to uncover/highlight in sufficient detail which groups of Londoners are least represented. The qualitative analysis will therefore play a greater role in uncovering the nuance and rationale behind the sector specific underrepresentation.

1.6. The focus on intersectional BAME groups of Londoners will be maintained from ADD2511, and the research commissioned will help to further the work being developed under the Helping Londoners into Good Work Mission, as part of the London Recovery Programme. Specifically, it will support the sectoral ‘Academies’ which includes the digital economy, green, cultural and creative industries and health and social care. The research will also cover hospitality. The Skills & Employment Unit will steer this work, in coordination with the GLA’s Workforce Integration Network (WIN) team.

1.7. GLA officers will procure consultancy services, in line with the Contracts and Funding Code, for:

• research and analysis to identify the reasons and opportunities to address the underrepresentation of Londoners hardest hit by the pandemic in key sectors, including the capital’s digital economy, green, cultural and creative industries, hospitality and health and social care sectors and related occupations and training.

2.1. The research and analysis will support the development of activities under the Helping Londoners into Good Work Mission. This will include one or more of the four sectors outlined in the Mission – digital economy, green, creative and cultural industries and health and social care. It may include additional sectors, where there is a strong rationale for doing so. It will identify:

• where underrepresentation of Londoners exists;

• the reasons for the underrepresentation of Londoners in occupations, including self employment, learning and training provision and related services; and

• opportunities for addressing underrepresentation through the Helping Londoners into Good Work Mission to promote a fairer, more inclusive London.

2.2. It will also form the basis of the research used to inform the sector specific toolkits to be developed for the academy sectors.

3.1. Section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010 provides that, in the exercise of their functions, public authorities – of whom the Mayor is one – must have due regard to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010;

• advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and

• foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

3.2. Relevant protected characteristics are age, disability, gender re-assignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

3.3. The expenditure will be used to support the London Recovery Board’s cross-cutting principle in recognising and addressing structural inequalities, promoting a fairer, more inclusive London and focusing on supporting the most vulnerable.

3.4. Officers confirm that the procurement and commissioning of the activities described above will conform with requirements made under the Public Sector Equality Duty at every stage, including when planning the contract, during the tender process and throughout the life of the contract, with particular attention being given at any decision making moments. Any increased knowledge of skills and employability needs of particular learner groups will be used to inform future specifications for work.

Key risks and issues

4.1. There is a risk that access to participants may be impacted as a result of the move to online learning and contact. The GLA has experience of managing research during the pandemic and has ensured a methodological approach from suppliers which can identify and access participants for qualitative research.

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities

4.2. The proposed research will support the Mayor’s Skills for Londoners Strategy, to address the underrepresentation of Londoners in different sectors and related career opportunities, including training. It will support the London Recovery Board’s Programme in recognising and addressing structural inequalities (cross-cutting principle) and the Helping Londoners into Good Work Mission which specifies the four sectors: Digital economy, green, health and social care, hospitality and the creative and cultural industries. It will support the Mayor’s manifesto (2021) commitment to establish more sector-specific academies.

4.3. There are no conflicts of interest to note for any of the officers involved in the drafting or clearance of this decision.

5.1. This decision is seeking approval from the Assistant Director, Skills and Employment for expenditure of up £49,000 for the research consulting services.

5.2. This expenditure will be funded by £20,000 repurposed under ADD2511 and £29,000 allocation of the 2021-22 under the recovery budget for the academies.

5.3. Due to Covid-19, the GLA was unable to progress the objectives set out in ADD2409 and so the funder, DfE, approved the repurposing of the funding to be used as set out in ADD2511.