London’s boroughs to offer 2,000 apprenticeships in the next three years

A new project by London Councils will see more than 2,000 apprenticeships being provided by the capital’s 32 boroughs in the next three years.

The scheme hopes to boost learning and employment opportunities across London in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012. Both teenagers and adults will be able to take advantage of the apprenticeships, which were unveiled at an event held at the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry today.

The apprenticeships will include a mixture of college training and work either in town halls or delivering services in communities, and cover a wide range of areas, including events organisation, health and social care, business administration and customer service.

Councillor James Kempton, executive member for children and young people, said: “It is not just Sir Alan Sugar who is looking to hire apprentices – the public sector is recruiting too.

“In these uncertain economic times, it is important to ensure apprenticeships are on offer to adults as well as teenagers.

“It is crucial to increase the number of apprenticeships to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training to help give them the best possible start in life.

“Apprenticeships also provide an opportunity for people to develop new skills so they are equipped to apply for promotion, change their career or get back into the job market after unemployment.

“In London there are major infrastructure projects in the pipeline which means that apprenticeships will lead directly to lots of exciting opportunities to be a part of the build up to the 2012 Olympics and the construction of Crossrail.”

Lord Young, the Apprenticeships minister, said: “It is great news that councils across London have made a commitment to take on more apprentices, giving more young people and adults across the capital an opportunity to get high quality training leading to a sustainable career.

“They will provide councils with the highly skilled people they need to deliver first class public services.”

Pictured: Councillor James Kempton, executive member for children and young people