Download IslingtonLife - Autumn 2012 - Islington Council
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www.islington.gov.uk<br />
Helping<br />
teenagers to<br />
keep studying<br />
Three of <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong>'s newest apprentices<br />
Celebrating local<br />
apprentices<br />
The hard work and achievements of<br />
over 70 <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong> apprentices<br />
were celebrated last month.<br />
Apprentices and their managers<br />
were presented with certificates in<br />
recognition of their achievements and<br />
the contributions they have made to<br />
the council.<br />
The event also provided an<br />
opportunity to welcome the next<br />
round of young people who will soon<br />
begin their apprenticeships.<br />
Since the council launched its<br />
apprenticeship scheme in 2009, 73<br />
young residents have taken part,<br />
earning valuable skills, experience and<br />
in many cases, qualifications too. An<br />
additional 34 apprentices will have<br />
been recruited by the end of this year.<br />
Former council apprentices are now<br />
being recruited to act as ambassadors<br />
for the scheme and will be involved in<br />
promoting the apprenticeships to local<br />
unemployed young people.<br />
30 year-old Kerry Wickens<br />
completed her apprenticeship within<br />
the Electoral Services team in <strong>Islington</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> earlier this year. She has since<br />
been permanently employed as an<br />
Electoral Services Officer. Kerry said:<br />
“When I applied for the scheme<br />
I’d only worked for our family<br />
business, so my skills and work<br />
experience were limited.<br />
“As part of my apprenticeship<br />
I studied one day a week at<br />
City and <strong>Islington</strong> College,<br />
towards an NVQ Level 2 in<br />
Business Administration. I’ve also<br />
completed a foundation course<br />
with the Association of Electoral<br />
Administrators, which gives<br />
me a strong foundation in all of<br />
the laws and processes around<br />
electoral systems.”<br />
75 per cent of <strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’s<br />
apprentices who have completed their<br />
placements are now in education,<br />
employment or training.<br />
Anyone interested in a<br />
council apprenticeship can<br />
keep an eye on opportunities<br />
by visiting<br />
www.islington.gov.uk/about/<br />
jobs-careers<br />
<strong>Islington</strong> <strong>Council</strong> is launching a<br />
bursary scheme that will mean more<br />
sixth-form students in the borough<br />
can stay in further education.<br />
The council will be ‘topping up’<br />
the financial support offered by the<br />
Education Funding Agency to lowincome<br />
students aged 16-19, who<br />
might otherwise have to drop out of<br />
education due to lack of funds.<br />
Students who live in <strong>Islington</strong><br />
and were eligible in year 11 for free<br />
school meals will be able to claim<br />
up to £300 a year to help pay for<br />
a range of equipment and activities<br />
needed to complete their studies.<br />
This might include books, special<br />
clothing, residential trips and travel<br />
costs to college, university open days<br />
and work experience.<br />
More details will be<br />
available in the next edition<br />
of <strong><strong>Islington</strong>Life</strong>.<br />
In the meantime speak<br />
to your College or visit<br />
www.islington.gov.uk/bursary<br />
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