Grow, achieve, succeed with a Camden Apprenticeship
Camden Council is encouraging young people aged 16 to 24 to consider applying for an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship can be an excellent alternative to college or university, allowing apprentices to earn whilst learning new skills. Whilst most apprentices move into employment when they have completed their training, doing an apprenticeship does not stop anyone going onto higher education later.
Councillor Georgia Gould, Cabinet Member for Young People and Economic Growth recently met up with a group of Camden apprentices at the Wellcome Trust, one of the local organisations who offer young people placements through Camden Apprenticeships.
These apprentices and their experiences underline the success of our scheme for young people across the borough.
“Not only do they gain new skills and valuable experience, they directly contribute to improving the local economy with more than 250 people being placed with local businesses and the council in the last year. This creates a win-win situation for all involved: apprentices, local businesses and the council.”
Apprentice Alex Akushie, said: “I started at sixth form college but left early, to work part time. I then worked in catering for four years but I decided it was time to finish off my education. I didn’t want to just stop working, so doing an apprenticeship really worked for me.
“I was lucky in that I had a practical background in work as that really helped me. I signed up to get Camden Apprenticeships’ email reminders and applied for an ILM level 3 in Facilities Management with Wellcome. Then I moved on to do a BIFM level 4 Certificate in Facilities Management: that covers everything you need to manage a building, such as building maintenance and support services (catering, cleaning). I’ve also been on a number of health and safety, energy management and financial management courses.
“I’m someone who learns things better if I’m actually doing practical things; sitting and studying isn’t really my style, which is why an apprenticeship is perfect. You learn things and put them into practice almost instantly.”
Camden Apprenticeships has vacancies for young people aged 16 to 24 all year round, in a range of different sectors including business administration, creative and digital media, IT and finance. Most employers are based in Camden and some of the apprenticeships are with the council.
For more information and to view the positions currently available visit: www.camden.gov.uk/apprenticeships
To be eligible to apply for a Camden apprenticeship, you must be aged 16 to 24, and live in Camden, be a Camden care leaver or be a former Camden secondary school student.
Camden Apprenticeships offers support to employers in and around Camden to set up apprenticeship schemes and recruit the best Camden young people for their business. Over 450 apprentices have already been placed into work with local employers from a range of different industries and sectors. For more information visit: www.camden.gov.uk/apprenticeships