We are committed to creating employment and training opportunities for local people in the borough, helping to ensure that they have the skills, experience and qualifications to succeed not only here in Hackney, but across London, the UK or wherever their ambition, determination and career takes them.

We want businesses, big and small, to follow our example and give a young person a career kick-start, help them to gain qualifications while earning a fair wage. The Council will work with businesses if they need support to take on an apprentice and we will provide advice and guidance to other organisations wanting to support our young people with employment and training.

I felt pressured into going to uni. I went for a year but I had to drop out because I felt that formal sort of education wasn’t for me. I moved back to Hackney and found an apprenticeship role with the council, working with young people. I feel really comfortable in the apprenticeship because I’m gaining qualifications at the same time as working in a paid job which really suits my skills and interests.

With the Council’s Apprenticeship Programme, we are helping to show that University, although a fantastic way to receive further educational training, isn’t the only option out there for local people. Apprenticeships can open up a host of career options while also providing the opportunity to gain a qualification, receive a wage and help to gain the necessary experience for the next step up. The Council has already employed a number of apprentices who have completed their qualifications and are now employed with the Council - a fantastic outcome for local people who are making a difference to lives of residents every day! I would encourage local people to find out more about becoming an apprentice here at the Council or at another Hackney business.