The London Evening Standard has launched a campaign to try and help youths looking for jobs in London, civilsociety.co.uk reports.
The newspaper has teamed up with Tower Hamlets social enterprise – City Gateway – on the ‘Ladder For London campaign’.
The partnership hopes to encourage businesses across the capital to hire one or more apprentices over the year, who will have a year’s experience of training.
A spokesperson for City Gateway told thedrum.com: “We are proud to be working with London Evening Standard to support the capital’s young people and progress them into employment. We believe we can make a big difference to the capital’s young adults.”
Sarah Sands, editor of the London Evening Standard added that research had shown a lack of experience was the biggest obstacle for young people trying to get a job. She also said that the Standard was proud to be pioneering a solution and that the company will be ‘getting the ball rolling’ by hiring apprentices too.
Companies who take on apprentices will be offered incentives such as a government-funded £1,500 grant and will be mentioned in the Standard newspaper.
City Gateway offers youngsters pre-apprenticeship courses and helps try to find them full apprenticeships and further training. Last year it managed to help 300 young people in the London area.