Recruitment professionals are key partners in helping Londoners get back into work says REC
Released on 21 December 2009

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has today published a revised skills and employment strategy for the capital entitled ‘From Recession to Recovery’. The REC has been in dialogue with the Mayor’s policy officials to underline the pivotal role that recruitment professionals can play within the ongoing debate on skills and jobs.

Commenting on the London skills and employment strategy, IRP Regional Director in the South East, Cathy Richardson, said:

“Recruitment professionals are key partners in helping people get back to work and in informing both regional and national employment strategies. We are already seeing more agencies working in co-operation with Jobcentres on a local level and policy makers are looking to draw upon the expertise and knowledge of recruitment professionals on the front line of the jobs market. The focus on employment and skills in London is being replicated across the country and IRP Directors will play a key role in taking forward the voice of recruiters on this issue”.

The London Mayor’s employment strategy includes a focus on the overall business environment in the capital. Commenting on the importance of support for businesses, Sam Strange, Director of the Business Support Unit within the REC Academy for Business, said:

“An important part of any employment strategy is to stimulate demand which is why we also need a specific focus on supporting employers. The provision of effective business support services is a key part of this and more can be done to actively promote these services to both new and established businesses. Keeping London’s economy competitive and demonstrating that London is a good place to do business is vital if the Mayor is serious about providing more job opportunities for Londoners.”

The London Skills and Employment Strategy includes a specific focus on youth unemployment and confirms the setting up of a single employment and skills source of information. Finding practical solutions to the barriers faced by young people is one of the key priorities of the REC’s Youth Employment Taskforce which was launched this month (http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/892).