Skills and the London Economy: A Collaborative Research Programme between I-Lead and the Greater London Authority (GLA)

Skills and the London Economy is a Collaborative Research Programme between academic economists in KCL I-Lead and the professional economists within the Greater London Authority (GLA). This programme looks to co-create research evidence on the critical role of skills in the ongoing growth of the London Economy. London is a global economic powerhouse, employing 20% of the UK’s workforce. However, the city faces significant challenges, including skills shortages in key sectors such as construction, digital technology, and health and social care. Data from GLA Economics highlights the importance of addressing these skills gaps. The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) emphasizes the need for training that matches employer demand, ensuring that Londoners can access better jobs and that businesses can find the skilled workers they need.
Within GLA Economics there are four main areas of interest which could be the focus for an intern to make use of GLA data and support from the KCL/GLA team to deliver a report within the internship: (1) a review of best practices in regional growth planning and the relationship between state and local decision making (2) a deep drive into the GLA skills data to provide deeper understanding differential skills attainment across London, the balance of need of technical skills and work on skills forecasting for the capital (3) a critical review of the GLAs growth forecast model for London, focused on Borough level forecasts, to enhance the existing methodology (4) the modelling of the needs within London to support the climate transition, focused on infrastructure and buildings of the capital. In addition, GLA Skills and Employment team is looking to take a deep dive into the London Learner Survey, building a longitudinal data set which can be used to consider how adult learners progress in the capital.

The intern will report to Professor Denise Hawkes and Dr Dragos Radu at King’s Business School. The RA will also be given a named mentor from GLA Economics, the mentor will be selected based on the topic selected by the appointed RA

The RA will work with GLA Economics datasets to address one of the 5 areas of interest set out above. The choice of the area to work on is for the RA to signal on application. The RA will be provided with a GLA mentor, a professional economist working in the chosen area of interest.
The RA will work collaboratively on the data cleaning, data analysis and forecasting, future model development and by providing input on potentially more complex models. The goals are: to prepare code which can be shared with the GLA team for future repeated data analysis, interpret the results produced for a range of audiences and work on data visualizations for academic and professional publication output. Data Analysis – the RA will work collaboratively on the data analysis, applying regressions, inferential statistics and simple machine learning classification models on the data previously collected (input on more complex models is welcomed). The data include both quantitative and qualitative data (text data). The targets are: prepare code for the data analysis, interpret the results and work on data visualization for publication output.
The final report for the project will consist of a GLA research report which will include a scoping study of the existing GLA datasets and their ability to address the selected topic and a list of recommendations to take the work forward. As a team we would be supportive of the post internship development of an academic paper – should the data analysis have potential to be additionally published as an academic output.

The RA will be able to work on an impactful research programme and able to experience work as an RA within an academic setting as well as professional context. The RA will also gain experience working in cross-sector team to develop some impactful research which will have direct input into the work of GLA Economics. In addition to the opportunity to apply their existing research skills to a policy relevant area, the RA will also have the opportunity to deliver a time limited project through developing project management and team working skills.

• The RA does not have to be an economist but they do need to be willing to work with economists.
• For those without formal economics training, experience working in multidisciplinary teams would be an asset.
• The RA will need to have strong quantitative analysis skills and be confident in using large administrative/survey datasets. This role provides the opportunity to use existing skills on GLA data, the RA will bring their quantitative expertise to the team providing an opportunity for knowledge exchange.
• Experience in project management and developing research reports are desirable experiences.

This project fits within the Centre for Innovation, Leadership, Education and Development (I-LEAD) https://www.kcl.ac.uk/business/partnerships/i-lead. In addition to the GLA research report and the potential for an academic paper after the internship, the I-Lead team will look for the intern to develop a case study about their experience to support the evaluation of the effectiveness of the internship offer and support the development of the GLA partnership. This can be produced in any medium of the RAs choosing (report/blog entry/pod cast/video).

1. Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability to the project supervisor(s). Please contact the project supervisor(s) in advance of submitting the application with any questions.

2. If selected by the project supervisor,

• LISS DTP students must then complete the LISS DTP Placement /Internship Application form. This ensures that there is approval of PhD supervisor, and the necessary information is obtained to extend funding (for DTP1 students) or confirm placement requirement fulfilled (for DTP2 students), and to fulfil ESRC reporting obligations. LISS DTP approval must be given before the RA internship can commence.
• Other ESRC-funded DTP students should follow the internship application processes from their home DTP.

Please note for LISS DTP students:

• Research Assistant Internships must not be undertaken with the student’s current supervisor and/or home department.
• DTP1 students (those whose funding commenced before Oct24): a maximum of 4 Research Assistant internships will be funded. These will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the 4 DTP1 places are filled, we will inform PIs that only DTP2 students are eligible for the Research Assistant internships. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DTP1 PLACES HAVE NOW BEEN FILLED.
• DTP2 students (those whose funding commenced from Oct24): are required to complete a 3-month placement, which is funded through their studentship. No limits to number that can be funded.
• Reports: at the conclusion of the internship, the student will be required to complete an internship report, which will include a question for the internship host to feedback on the internship.

Contact liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk with any questions.