Whilst the headlines these days are grabbed by multi billion pound bailouts of the banking system there’s a growing view in politics that a more ground up approach might actually be the best route out of the credit crunch.
Speaking at the Voice 09 conference, the Conservative party leader said Britain needed to open up its training system to third sector alternatives and social enterprises so that standards can be raised:
“This is where I see a really important role for social enterprises. Enterprises like City Gateway in Tower Hamlets, which takes young adults from local estates and trains them in the skills our economy will need in the future like web design,” he said.
“These social enterprises have the local knowledge, the human touch, and sensitive understanding of the complex and interconnected problems of educational failure and worklessness and I want to see more City Gateways come in, take this recession by the scruff of the neck and help get people into work.”
And the Conservative party aren’t alone in looking beyond the banking system – City Gateway, a charity set up to link businesses into their training projects in the local community, recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary at the Canary Wharf East Wintergarden. Stephen Timms (Financial Secretary to the Treasury) recognised the dedication of the third sector: “We need more of that passion and commitment in our communities at times like this one when we’ve got economic problems around the world.”
Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Media, Culture & Sport, who also spoke at the event added: “In this period it is difficult, it is a challenge, but in this area there is a once in a lifetime opportunity with the Olympic games. I think there are exciting times ahead, there are hopes and dreams people can look for. In my point of view this is a great time for this part of London to really open up opportunities and really ensure that we change as many young lives as possible.”
City Gateway is launching it’s own 1 year blog project in mid April to capture a wide range of opinions on CSR, volunteering and regeneration – find out more on our website.
