Patron Perspectives 2024/25: Upskilling Kingston

This blog series brings together sector reflections from our Patron network – leaders who play an active role in shaping Kingston’s economy and supporting its business community.

Each piece was first published in our 2024/25 Impact Report, where we asked: what’s changed over the past year – and what’s likely to shape what’s next?

The result is a collection of expert, actionable editorials. Throughout this series you’ll find perspectives on housing, education, digital experience professional services and more, reflecting the challenges and opportunities shaping Kingston’s economy.

There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in the skills agenda. The Government is planning to address workforce shortages by enhancing regional competitiveness, but what does this mean in practice and, more specifically, for Kingston businesses?  

ARE KINGSTON RESIDENTS BENEFITING FROM KEY GROWTH SECTORS? 

London aims to create 150,000 new green jobs by 2030, with the potential for even more if a net-zero pathway is followed, potentially reaching 1 million by 2050. This would be in areas such as green finance, homes and buildings, power and low-carbon transport. We also know that future demand for jobs in health, education and green industries will outnumber the current supply, as the skills in these areas are not developing fast enough to meet the future demand. Therefore, this area of London growth will rely heavily on addressing the skills shortages in skilled trades like electricians, plumbers, and heating engineers, with an expected 140% increase in these roles by 2030.  

Kingston prides itself on great health, leisure, care and education services. We are seeing construction developments which should significantly improve local prospects. The critical emphasis is now on ensuring that the companies investing in Kingston are also recruiting locally, to deliver social value to the local community.   

 
WHAT NEXT?

The UK Government’s recent skills initiatives, include the establishment of Skills England, a department which will consolidate various skills programmes under a single entity to streamline training and development efforts. The London Growth Plan, developed by the Mayor of London and London Councils and published in January 2025, also aims to tackle the workforce shortages and bolster economic growth. It seeks to increase productivity and create over 150,000 jobs by 2030. All eyes are on the imminent Inclusive Talent Strategy, the workforce plan to create the pipeline of talent for growth and to support marginalised Londoners into good work. It is anticipated that this will be linked to training and skills, as a vital tool for growth and support. 

CHALLENGES AHEAD 

Challenges remain in ensuring that training programmes effectively address the evolving demands of these industries and ensure equitable access to opportunities across the region. A survey of over 1,000 London business leaders revealed that 77% reported open vacancies, with 65% struggling to fill them. More than half cited a low number of suitable applicants with the required skills as the biggest challenge to recruitment. Particularly in sectors like construction, a shortage of skilled workers threatens the Government’s goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2029.  

 
IMPLICATIONS FOR KINGSTON UPON THAMES 

To meet these ambitious regional targets, we need to scale up the supply chain with employer-informed training that supplies the right skills to the local business community, with Government backing. This is why the business community’s engagement with local colleges and other training providers is critical in establishing and strengthening this ecosystem. For employers in Kingston upon Thames, these national initiatives present both opportunities and challenges. Businesses must navigate the complexities of the evolving skills landscape and ensure that training provision effectively addresses the specific demands of their sectors. 

 
SUMMARY  

Local colleges are critical in ensuring Kingston residents have an opportunity to upskill or retrain, giving them a better chance of benefiting from future growth opportunities. They can also support local businesses’ recruitment needs, helping them deliver social value. The success of any future initiatives will depend on our ability to align training provision with the evolving needs of growth industries. This is why our business engagement via groups like the Chamber of Commerce, local authority and education groups will be crucial in ensuring that we have access to a skilled and adaptable workforce. 

Sources: Lightcast, Business LDN, gov.uk, South London Partnerships 

Kingston College, part of the South Thames Colleges Group, offers an extensive range of academic, vocational, and apprenticeship courses in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in 2024 with two Outstanding features, the College boasts excellent teaching, cutting-edge facilities, and strong progression rates, with 92% of students moving to higher study or employment. Located in the heart of Kingston upon Thames, it provides exceptional student support and a vibrant, community-focused learning experience.

Find out more at www.stcg.ac.uk/kingston-college.