National Apprenticeship Week event links local residents to exciting work opportunities

Dozens of residents met with local and national employers at Hackney Council’s National Apprenticeship Week event on Tuesday (11 February), where they gained direct access to live apprenticeship opportunities and heard inspiring success stories and advice from current apprentices.

The event at Hackney Town Hall progressed the Council’s ambition to provide secure jobs for as many people as possible, linking residents looking for work with training providers and businesses ranging from NHS England to locally based contractors such as Marlborough Highways and Purdy.

Hackney Council’s own apprenticeship programme caters for a wide range of local residents, including workers returning to the job market, residents facing disadvantages, and people looking for opportunities to work on construction sites brokered through planning agreements.

Apprentices at Hackney have shared advice to others during National Apprenticeship Week, based on their experiences.

Find out more about apprenticeships at Hackney Council

Apprenticeships are more than pathways to employment - they are key to connecting Hackney’s incredible potential with opportunities in a changing economy.

By prioritising local jobs and apprenticeships, we’re putting our residents at the heart of Hackney’s economic success. Initiatives such as our Council apprenticeship programme ensure opportunities are accessible to everyone.

This reflects our commitment to champion the talents of our residents and where possible to provide opportunities for education and development for all of Hackney’s residents.

Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Human Resources

I’d say anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship should go for it, especially at Hackney Council. I think it’s a perfect combination of getting experience and hands-on learning, and being able to be surrounded by so many different professionals from different fields is great as you’re able to feed off so much knowledge. 

Hackney Council is so welcoming, I’ve not been here long, but I already feel a sense of belonging to my team. When I started my apprenticeship, one of the misconceptions I had is that I would be quite isolated because I was studying as an apprentice. However, as soon as I started, I was made to feel part of the team.

Humairah Badat, who is currently working as a programme support apprentice in the regeneration team at Hackney Council

I’m someone who likes to learn and never wants to stop learning. The thing that surprised me about doing an apprenticeship is you’re not just doing a job, you’re effectively getting paid to learn and you get a qualification at the end, which you can take with you anywhere and you can continue to do apprenticeships for as long as you want.

LeBron Williams-Baffoe, a business analyst apprenticeship in the Customer Service team at the Council

My favourite thing is the mix of work. I’ve done admin jobs before where you’re being told the same thing over and over again, whereas at the Council it’s very different. There’s always a new thing on the horizon, and there’s the social side - you meet a lot of different people from contractors to internal employees.

Joseph Forrest, who is undertaking an apprenticeship at the Council as an administration assistant