APPRENTICES from the Council and Hackney Homes came together to share their experiences of working in the borough, as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

More than 25 young people aged 16-24 have been taken on across a range of services, and on Friday (27 February) they had a lunch provided by Hackney Community College.

Lunch was prepared by trainee chefs from the college, while the apprentices, who are working in construction; ICT; libraries; finance; youth work; business administration; customer service; and horticulture, discussed opportunities for career progression.

As one of the biggest employers in the borough, the Council is playing a leading role in providing training opportunities for residents. The Hackney Apprenticeship Programme was launched 18 months ago, and aims to train 100 Hackney young people by 2011.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, said: “Hackney’s apprentices are a proud testament to the value and success of this programme, and one of several ways in which the Council and partners are working together to tackle worklessness in the borough, particularly among young people.”

Marcus Philip, 19, sat his GCSEs at Hackney Community College, and then moved on to the Business and Administration Apprenticeship course. He said his ambition is to become Chief Executive of Hackney Council.

“Apprenticeships are the way forward,” Marcus added. “You get work experience, money and qualifications. You also get trained by your employer, so they teach you the actual skills you need to do the job.”

For more information, please contact 020 8356 3288 or visit www.hackney.gov.uk/apprenticeships