It would be a lovely and wonderful day for this particular monkey if only he were not troubled by thoughts of the future.
The sun is shining in that inimitable fashion of not actually shining that London bestows upon the world, the temperature is topping thirty degrees next to an open window with the fan on...in purely selfish terms, this li'l ol' monkey should be dancing the gig and frolicking in the moonlight with other dusky damsel monkies...
But no. Sadly, not to be. This will not come to pass. This is due to the furrowing of this monkey's brow at the question that remains unanswered...it is a question of longevity. The build up to the Olympic Games has seen the LSC launch a programme entitled "On Your Marks" designed to tackle skills gaps in London and the South East. This is to receive ESF funding...it will work harmoniously with the LDA...this is all acronym - tastic, surely?
Well, yes and no. What bothers this monkey is that there is an element present of a lack of foresight. In this instance...the Olympics are a single month, not the rest of time. What happens to the workers specifically skilled for the Games after the tourists and trainers have packed up their troubles? What will happen to them? Will there be a post Olympic depression? Also...ESF funding is due to be reappraised shortly, and the likelihood is that Britain will not be at the top of the list any longer.
What happens to all the training after ESF moves on to help others? Where will the money come from?
Answers on a postcard, so that this poor bewildered monkey can enjoy the summer!
