WIREDGOV

A cutting edge new website launched by the London Development Agency is set to revolutionise the way information on the capital’s labour market is used by colleges, businesses, government and local authorities.

The London Skills and Employment Observatory website, developed by technology, information, and research experts, is a dedicated new resource for all organisations involved in the design and delivery of employment and skills services in London.

Brendan Loughran, Group Director for Learning and Skills at the London Development Agency says:

“The Observatory is an invaluable tool for anyone who needs to know what is going on in London’s labour market. The website brings together all of the existing sources of data, research and projections on the London labour market. 

“The Observatory is a first step towards the development of a London Research Forum. Through it we will build a network of researchers across London and run a series of meetings to identify what London’s future employment and skills needs are.

We want to understand the current nature of the London labour market and its projected future trends so that London can plan for its future."

John Attree, Director of Employment and Skills at London First says:

“For business people, the sheer complexity of the labour market data available is a real barrier to understanding, policy development and action. I therefore welcome today’s announcement of the Observatory as providing all this information from a single easy-to-use source. I am confident that it will underpin the development of many more joint employment and skills programmes in the future, to the lasting benefit of London.”

“The Observatory is a part of the Mayor for London’s vision to make more of the capital’s previously unavailable information accessible. The site is part of an information revolution for London and comes only weeks after the Mayor’s Datastore went live,” says Mr Loughran.

The initiative is led by the London Development Agency, co-financed by the European Social Fund, and supported by key employment and skills partners in London.

All information on the website is available free of charge and feedback is encouraged. For further information about the London Skills and Employment Observatory visit www.lseo.org.uk.