Employment joy for Southwark's young apprentices
Published 2 February 2010
Southwark Council today awarded certificates to 15 fully qualified apprentices at its Tooley Street headquarters near London Bridge, to celebrate National Apprentice Week.
Today's apprentices being celebrated were recruited among local residents, including young people leaving care, and were all employed by the council to gain the necessary experience, qualifications and skills to move into and remain in employment.
They have been trained to the highest standard required at their level in different fields such as plumbing, plastering, electrical work, carpentry, business and administration, customer service and health and social care.
Annie Shepperd, Southwark Council's chief executive, who presented the apprentices with their certificate, said: "I would like to congratulate all apprentices for their effort and dedication in achieving their qualification. This is something to be proud of.
"Employers are more demanding and competition for jobs is very high. Southwark Council's programme of apprenticeships will give young people a real opportunity to get the qualifications and get on the first step of a career."
Zubair Patel, one of the recipients and the council's first apprentice to start a degree course, said: "This is a real life changing programme. I left school at year 11 and I never went to any mainstream college. I joined the council's apprentice programme in 2006 and I gained a lot of experience as well as learning new skills.
"My manager is very flexible and would allow me the time I needed to complete my exercises and meet my deadlines. The thought of going to university never crossed my mind, but here I am undertaking a degree course, and I am enjoying it!"
Brian Kasule, spokesperson for the 15 qualified apprentices, said: "From delivering front line services, and contributing to back office work, I have gained valuable experience and knowledge of just how hard the council works to make Southwark a better place. I hope that the council will continue to provide such opportunities and change lives of young people."
In 2005 Southwark Council committed itself to achieving 82 fully qualified apprentices by 31 August 2011 and appoint a total of 157 apprentices by 2012. The recent figures showed that the council is well ahead of its target.
Council officers will also launch a new programme for year 11 pupils in secondary schools to talk about the advantages of apprenticeships.
