Skills
An uplifting social alliance
Young people with learning disabilities want to work, but more supported internships are needed. To coincide with National Supported Internship Day, The MJ and DFN Project SEARCH held a round table debate to discuss how local authorities can help. Mark Whitehead reports.
Governing the local AI revolution
A nuanced approach to governance is needed to successfully navigate the challenge of integrating AI within local authorities, say Amardeep Gill and Jonathan Werran.
Revolutionising temporary workforce solutions
The approach taken to temporary workforce management within councils often falls short in several critical areas. Here, chief executive of West Midlands Employers Rebecca Davis discusses why collaboration among local authorities and agencies is key in tackling this issue.
Don’t fall for all the hype behind AI
Natalie Cramp talks to Ann McGauran about some of the opportunities, risks and challenges emerging from the use of data and AI in local government.
Senior Lib Dem calls for permitted development rights review
A review of permitted development rights (PDRs) should take place before reforms are introduced to make it easier to convert commercial buildings or units into homes, a senior Lib Dem has said.
National Apprenticeship Week: Focusing on local talent needs
A co-ordinated effort between businesses, metro mayors, local authorities, and the Government is required to implement a comprehensive national skills strategy, says Nicola Hay MBE.
Cities find their future
Cllr John Merry looks back at Key Cities’ successes and considers what he would like the network and local government to achieve during the next decade.
Social care career reforms ‘only scratch the surface’
The Government today announced new measures to improve the career prospects of social care staff but concerns remain that this ‘may only scratch the surface’ of the workforce crisis.
How can council leaders address the retrofit skills conundrum?
David Pierpoint explores how councils and social housing leaders can work to address their practical retrofit skills gap as they address their decarbonisation targets.
Telford’s tale of success
Deals galore and wise investment is breathing new life into ‘new town’ Telford, as Cllr Lee Carter explains.
True collaboration will be key to the success of devo in Surrey
Cllr Tim Oliver says Surrey CC is looking forward to working with the Government and local partners to ensure all residents can feel the benefit of a Level 2 County Deal.
Autumn Statement: Level 4 devolution unveiled
More powers will be offered to areas with a level 3 devolution deal, the Government has announced as part of the Autumn Statement.
Climate change: combatting fatalism
Groundwork’s new strategy is one for a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive, says Graham Duxbury.
Shaping the post-pandemic workforce
The Society of Personnel and Development Scotland (SPDS), which represents HR professionals across most of Scotland’s 32 councils, meets this week for its annual conference in St Andrews. Outgoing president Jane Fowler and incoming president Elaine Barrie outline the workforce challenges.
Upskill before it’s too late
Decisive action is needed to improve local government recruitment and retention, says Peter Cudlip.
The modern recruiter: part coach, part athlete
Katrina Whitby says recruitment is a team sport – and it’s time we take a serious look at the evolving skills and strategies necessary to attract and retain future talent.
Lifelong learning for chief executives
This week Solace and the Local Government Association are launching the prototype of a new professional development offer to support chief executives through the complex challenges they face. Barry Quirk explains.
Realising the UK’s economic potential
Solace is calling for a strengthened local government role in relation to improving the country’s economic prospects. Amy Harhoff explains.
A tactical shift that has boosted our services
Angela Bremner explains how leadership coaching has transformed Together for Children’s people services and led to the creation of a new performance management programme for the company.
Skills devolution call
Control of UK skills funding should be devolved to councils to ensure it is tailored to local jobs and economies, a national network of 27 cities has urged.