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Last week was National Apprentice Week. David Pawsey describes how his London borough has been helping reduce unemployment among the 16 to 24 age group by offering apprenticeships. Unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds currently stands at a record high of 952,000. In the current economic environment, job opportunities, not to mention career prospects, are few and far between for young people. However, Kingston RLBC is one organisation which has been tackling this problem head-on with an initiative which was recognised during National Apprentice Week (1-5 February). Last September, the borough opened up its apprenticeship scheme, which saw an overwhelming response of more than 150 applicants. While a sad reflection of the current lack of opportunity in the job market, this is also testament to the excellent training and diverse work experience the scheme provides. Developed in response to a government drive to provide better prospects for young people, the royal borough pledged to provide 40 roles by the beginning of 2012. This is part of an overall initiative among local authorities in Greater London to generate 2,000 apprenticeships by 2012. At present, all Kingston apprentices are guaranteed a 12-month contract, fully-funded training, and the opportunity to ‘earn while they learn' and complete a Level 2 National Vocation Qualification (NVQ). The Kingston apprentices – Ben Slade, Amie Hockham and Jamil Easmon Despite the challenging selection criteria, the high calibre of successful applicants meant Kingston was able to meet its target of 12 apprentices in its first recruitment drive. However, the council still intends to make the scheme available to new entrants twice a year, in March and September, on an ongoing basis. While the slots were swiftly filled, it cannot be said that it was an easy process for the candidates to get through. Ben Slade, 21, from Forest Hill, who works in the environmental services contact centre and is studying for an NVQ in customer service, says: ‘After making it through the actual application process, we then had to take part in a group interview, with around 11 other applicants, to see how well we worked in a team. ‘We were then given an English and maths test, as well. After that, if we met the criteria, we were asked back for one final interview.' Amie Hockham, 18, from Kingston, is studying for an NVQ in business administration, and is working in the council's revenue department. Despite completing her A-levels, and deciding she did not want to go to university, Amie was worried she would not get on to the scheme, due to the high level of competition. However, she did not have to worry, and was one of the outstanding recruits. She says: ‘I didn't do too badly at school, and if I had wanted to, I could have gone to university. But I wanted to earn money. I didn't want a student loan on my back. ‘Not only am I earning money, but there is the added bonus of doing an NVQ – adding to the qualifications I already have.' While many of Ben's and Amie's friends have decided to continue with their education at university, a degree no longer guarantees a job. According to the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, 9% of students who left university in 2008 were out of work in January 2009, up from 5.5% the previous year, with the expectation that this situation will worsen in 2010. Jamil Easmon, 22, from Surrey Quays, who also works in the environmental services contact centre, says: ‘I know people who went to university, graduated and all they can find is bar work. ‘I am in a secure job, for at least 12 months, and the skills we are learning can be used not just here but in any organisation. We are basically in college, because we are doing the NVQ, but we are also getting job experience.' This is a view shared by Amie, who has also seen friends graduate from university and then struggle to get a job. She says: ‘From a qualification viewpoint, it is not the same level, but I have got the NVQ, the references and the work experience, whereas they have just got the degree.' All three apprentices agree that not only are they learning new skills through the NVQ but they are also gaining wide-ranging experience in the workplace, and getting opportunities they would not have had elsewhere. As a result, they would have no qualms about recommending apprenticeship schemes to their friends. Ben says: ‘When I was working in retail, I felt like I was just stuck in one sort of role, whereas here, I am learning so many things it is presenting me with fresh options, and there is always the opportunity to take on more responsibilities.' David Pawsey is media assistant in the communications department at Kingston RLBC

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WHITEHALL

Civic centre for skills

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