Tech City Apprenticeship scheme launches

Back row: Rohan Silva, Yiannis Koursis, Tom Hostler and Kit Malthouse. Front: Arthur Deller, Ian Ashman and Amy Grewcock. Photograph: Matt Writtle

Local residents will find it easier to work in Tech City thanks to a new apprenticeship scheme launched by Hackney Community College.

The Tech City Apprenticeship scheme, the first of its kind in the country, will take students from this September.

It has been set up to help get locals employed at the big technology companies in and around Shoreditch and Old Street.

Businesses in Tech City have not historically been big employers of people who have grown up in Hackney.

Hackney Community College Principal Ian Ashman said the problem is two-fold: “Local people have a lack of skills on the one hand, and there is a lack of opening up of opportunities on the other.”

By working with businesses in Tech City, Hackney Community College has created two new university-level courses in digital media and computer programming that fit in with what these businesses need.

The scheme aims to tackle Hackney’s high unemployment rate and the college hopes to create 500 apprenticeship places by 2014.

“We are very excited about it, it is a really great scheme,” said Mr Ashman.

Moo, an online printing business based in Shoreditch, was involved in creating the digital media apprenticeship program. A spokesperson for the The company says it is keen to support the community in which it is based.

Moo’s HR manager Ellie Collins said: “For us at Moo it is very exciting to be involved in the Hackney Community College programme.

“It is a fantastic initiative to give young local people exposure and hands-on experience across all areas of business”.

Political bigwigs have already shown their support for the scheme, including Rohan Silva, senior policy advisor to the prime minister, and Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor of London for business and enterprise.

“I’ve no doubt that this brilliant scheme is going to change people’s lives, and I’m so thrilled to see it up and running in East London today,” said Mr Silva at the scheme’s launch.

Commenting on the issues the initiative has had to address, Mr Malthouse said: “Tech City must not make the mistake of excluding local people, and the local community should be able to feel some ownership of the opportunities.”

The project’s launch coincides with the launch of the college’s sister training company, View London, as well as the college’s work to help expand the Trampery, a creative workspace hub currently located in Shoreditch, to London Fields.

The Trampery’s new space will be at Hackney Community College site, and will encourage businesses based in their offices to take on apprentices.