Christmas in the Capital

Well, what a hurricane of wind and rain, lights and sound constitutes the capital city at Christmas.  Office parties were well into their own, as restaurants and popular venues don signs saying sorry closed this evening for private function.  Groups of respectable suits, after dinner ware and heals all bundling into the eye for a private trip with a bottle of bubbly and huge smiles.  While I was having a little sight seeing trip myself, a man in the pod next to me was busy dropping to one knee to ask his girl to marry him…. From the shop windows, where in Selfridges you can find what looks like a diamond encrusted mini cooper, to the delights of a winter wonderland in Hyde park with mulled wine, German frankfurters, an alfresco ice rink and sparkly blue trees, the whole capital was buzzing with Christmas spirit. 

It’s been about six years since I’ve had time to wonder around London, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover how cosmopolitan it has become.  However, the real reason for my visit was the Skillsmart conference, to discuss the creation of SkillsAcademys.  I’ve been trying to upload the video with currently little success, but I will keep trying.

The meeting was positive, if not a little misplaced for the time of year, what with this being the busiest time for businesses.  The vision presented was ‘A one –stop shop for retail skills’.  To provide easy access to skills advice and support, a cost effective solution to recruitment, a comprehensive program of training and qualifications, pre employment training, promotion of retail as a career, and work experience opportunities.  Quite a lot to fit all under one roof.  But this is the concept in a nut shell.

Part of the concept has been delivered directly from the government in line with their 2013 aim to have all young people up to the age of 18 in education, and the rest is being put together by Skillsmart as a model for shops the length and breadth of the UK.

I will post more here when I get 10 mins… in the mean time I’m off to try and upload this video!!.....