Hackney Council,
09
August
2018
|
10:04
Europe/London

Hackney Council launches first mentorship programme

A group of school pupils from Hackney learnt how to code and network in a week long mentorship programme with successful start-up companies, to give them skills for their future careers.

The scheme, which was organised by Hackney Council, the Diana Award charity and WeWork social enterprise, included Year 10-12 pupils from two Hackney-based schools, Our Lady’s Convent High School and Cardinal Pole.The 34 students were interviewed and selected by the Diana Award to help them find the careers they are interested in by providing work experience with 15 start up companies, coding workshops, networking opportunities and careers advice.Mentees were also advised on the differences between university and apprenticeships, and their separate advantages.

WeWork and the Diana Award really cared about what I wanted to do and mixed it in with actual work. They embraced my creativity. I know exactly what I am going to do now: when I finish with my secondary school I will try to get an apprenticeship with Tribe, the company that I worked for.
Darnell, pupil from Cardinal Pole
I worked with the sales and marketing department and developed adverts and widgets. I also developed hard skills like research with data mining, it was an amazing opportunity.”
Richelle, who spent her week with Charged Up, a mobile phone charging network

Finally, the week culminated in a graduation ceremony at the WeWork offices in Hackney, where Councillor Guy Nicholson presented certificates to students who successfully completed the programme.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Planning, Business and Investment
The Council is working hard with the Borough's businesses to create opportunities for young Hackney residents to acquire the skills they need for their future careers. The partnership between the Council, WeWork, The Diana Award, Cardinal Pole School and Our Lady’s Convent High School is a fantastic example of how working together can open up new horizons for the next generation. 

A big thank you must go to all the business mentors for volunteering their time to the programme and to the great teams at WeWork and the Diana Award who created a week that inspired confidence and ambition - thank you.  
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Planning, Business and Investment

The Council, WeWork and the Diana Award will be launching the second mentorship week in October 2018.