Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds still struggle to get into work despite the rise in apprenticeships in the borough, an Islington businesswoman has said.
Emma West, Centre Manager at Spear, is worried that not enough young people from underprivileged backgrounds receive the same opportunities as their peers.
“Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds still struggle to get into work in Islington,” she said. “Increasingly, the young people we work with who come on the Spear programme are socially isolated and suffering from mental health conditions.”
Her comments come in National Apprentice Week, during which Islington Council is celebrating the success of the 2014 Employment Commission, which it set up to combat the borough’s high unemployment rates.
Throughout the year iWork – a council employment service – holds events bringing together employers and young people with the aim of getting 16-24-year-olds into work.
Apprentices speak about the scheme
Usama Mohamed, a trainee quantity surveyor, who decided against going to university, says he is reaping benefits of the scheme.
He said: “My mum believed going to university was a more respectable route for me.
“I was lucky that Abdi from the council’s iWork employment support team managed to convince her that I can still earn a degree through an apprenticeship, or I would have missed out.
“My apprenticeship means I can work towards a civil engineering degree at the same time as getting experience and earning a wage.”
The council’s mission
Despite there being 1.34 jobs for every working-age person, in 2014 almost 40,000 local people were not in work, according to a report by the 2014 Employment Commission.
The council says it is focused on getting young people into work.
“As a borough, we think it’s really important that we give local people the support and advice they need to fulfil their potential,” said Cllr Asima Shaikh, Executive Member for Economy & Jobs.
“Learning while working is hugely rewarding. It’s important young people from all backgrounds are able to explore their options and the opportunities available to them.”
However, Islington still lags behind the national employment average of 74 per cent The borough fares slightly better when compared with Camden (70 per cent) and Westminster (68 per cent).
With additional reporting by Matt Mathers
READ MORE: Islington apprenticeships rise by 400% in last decade
