Hackney Council has been named as one of the top 100 employers of school leavers in the country and shortlisted for the 2018 School Leaver Awards by AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk.

The awards highlight the top UK employers for school and college leavers based on the experiences of apprentices and school leaver trainees who completed employee satisfaction surveys covering every aspect of their working lives – from job satisfaction and career progression to company culture and work-life balance.

The awards also consider the opportunities available to school leavers, including intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level apprenticeships, school leaver programmes and sponsored degrees. Hackney Council has been nominated in the ‘Top Employer – Public Sector’ category.

The Council is playing a leading role in providing opportunities for school leavers and last year launched Hackney Apprentices, an ambitious programme which will see 100 apprentices working at the Council during 2018/19.

Alex Jacobs, Employment Pathways Programme Manager, said: “Receiving recognition for our commitment to creating quality employment and training opportunities for young people is great – it is a testament to the hard work of the team who are working to create even more opportunities for young people across a whole range of areas in the Council and with other employers in the borough. It is even better knowing that we are finalists for the award based on the positive experiences of our apprentices.”

Hackney Apprentices gives young people in Hackney the first step towards a great career, and over 75% of council apprentices move on to study higher apprenticeships, or in to permanent jobs with the Council.

Thaddaeus Brown, Design Apprentice at Hackney Council, said: “I joined the design team at Hackney Council with very little knowledge of graphic design and have learned everything on the job. I have been trusted to work on big projects and supported to develop and hone my skills. Joining Hackney Apprentices has been a great start to my career, teaching me about the world of work.”

Hackney Apprentices is open to people who live in the borough, have been educated in Hackney or are care leavers for whom Hackney Council is a ‘corporate parent’. All Hackney Apprentices aged over 18 are paid at least the London Living Wage of £10.20 per hour as well as being given accredited training from a high-quality provider.

The next recruitment drive for Hackney Apprentices will be in the summer when the Council will be recruiting for over 30 apprentices in areas including ICT, plumbing, electrical, and youth work.

All category winners for the 2018 School Leaver Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 17 May. To find out more about the School Leaver Awards visit www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk.

To find out more about Hackney Apprentices visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/apprenticeships or email apprenticeships@hackney.gov.uk.