A Prosperous Community
We are
putting considerable investment into our school buildings so that
every local child has the best possible start in life in terms of
schooling... The average business size in Tower
Hamlets is the second highest in the capital, and there
is also a healthy enterprise culture. This economic activity has
led to Tower Hamlets having the fastest employment growth in the
country. Yet, despite this, unemployment levels are higher than
both the London and national averages. This is mainly due to
comparatively low levels of basic skills but also because of a
range of other factors which affect worklessness. The Partnership
is aware that worklessness is a complex issue, with contributing
factors ranging from ill-health to transport, debt to cultural
barriers and discrimination.
We will help people to confront these
different causes of worklessness – whether it be barriers faced by
specific groups, like disabled people and vulnerable adults, the
existence of ageism or because some people lack family role models
to see employment as an option.
One thing is common: worklessness
traps families - denying them the money and choices to get out of
poverty and improve their quality of life. In short, there is no
shortage of jobs in the borough – but many local people don’t have
the support, confidence or necessary skills to take advantage of
the work on their doorstep. We know that education is the best way
to break the cycle of poverty and give people a step-up into
employment, so a key priority for the Prosperous Community theme is
to ensure that local people have access to lifelong learning
opportunities. This means making high quality education available
for residents of all ages - from those entering nursery and primary
school to older people and pensioners wanting to learn new
skills.
Opportunities for lifelong learning
will be diverse to suit all needs, whether you’re a new resident
trying to improve your English or just wanting to try something
different in your spare time. Many nurseries and schools in Tower
Hamlets are offering our children and young people an outstanding
education that gives them the opportunity to thrive. But we know
that there is more to do so that every child makes the progress
they are capable of, especially in English and mathematics.
We are putting considerable investment
into our schools buildings so that every local child has the best
possible start in life in terms of schooling. This investment will
pay dividends by 2020, when more young people will leave school
with qualifications and skills that will help them into employment
and successful careers. We also recognise that people learn in
different ways - so more high-quality and stretching
apprenticeships and vocational courses will be made available to
young people, leading to stable jobs.
But prosperity is not just about
wealth. It is about ensuring all residents have the support, skills
and encouragement to make the best of their lives. Jobs provide
people with fulfilment, purpose and the means to enjoy life. We are
committed to making this a reality for all residents by actively
supporting more people into work, giving people access to the
training they need to be job-ready and by encouraging enterprise
and fostering new industries.
More information
For more information
contact us at consultation@towerhamlets.gov.uk
or call 020 7364 4058