It is National Apprenticeship Week and Islington Council is celebrating the success of many apprentices who have either completed, or are on their apprenticeship journey.

The apprenticeship scheme is a great opportunity to start a career, get paid to do a real job, gain experience and receive a nationally recognised qualification. The council wants to leads by example and believes that quality apprenticeships and experience programmes provide fantastic opportunities for everyone, no matter their age, background or skills.

Islington Council provides apprenticeship opportunities within its own staff and with local employers, for residents from all backgrounds, so they can experience a great start to their career and continue on into long-term employment.

Last year 167 residents were supported into apprenticeships with other employers by iWork and its partners, in roles as varied as nursing, quantity surveying and live events. One of these residents is Charlotte (pictured). She is on an apprenticeship with Berkeley Homes and working as a Level 2 Logistics Assistant.

“As I started a family earlier on in life, I was unable to work as I was raising three beautiful children, but as they got older I decided to seek my dream job,” she says. “I have always had a passion for construction and the built environment and I wanted to pursue a career in becoming a project manager within a property development company.

“Islington council has helped me enormously to the road of achieving my dreams and I don’t know what I would have done without them. Having the support from the council, even to this day, has helped me build my confidence and I am now growing into the person I had always hoped to be for myself and my children.”

This week there are a variety of open sessions to give residents the support and advice they need to become an apprentice, in venues including Elizabeth House and Hornsey Lane Community Centre, Finsbury Park JCP, Inspire! Young Parents Project and Lift Youth Hub. The iWork team is also speaking in schools to help young people understand the opportunities that apprenticeships offer and plan for the future.

If you work with residents aged 16 and over who are looking to kick-start their career put them in touch with the iWork team, or invite them to an open session.