Hackney 100 to give teenagers a foot in the door

A new initiative by Hackney Council will give 100 teenagers the opportunity to gain paid work with local employers.

The Hackney 100 will work with high-calibre local employees who will earn the London Living Wage of £8.80 per hour while working 4 hours per week outside of school hours.

The initiative hopes to ‘equip [teenagers] with the skills and experience they will need to forge their future careers’.

There are roles on offer across a number of business sectors, such as the Hackney specialities of tech, design, media and fashion as well as positions in hospitality, catering, engineering and finance.

New tech employees

A large number of the employers involved are growing tech companies from the area, including Optimity, TechHub, and Shoreditch Works.

Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe said:

Hackney is experiencing unprecedented growth particularly in the creative and digital industries.

We want Hackney residents to benefit from this and we want see local young people take full advantage of the opportunities our borough has to offer to help us continue our success story.

‘Hard work’

Anthony Impey, Chief Executive of Optimity, launched the scheme with the mayor at Urswick School. He added:

It will be hard work and they will be expected to pull their weight and earn their money.

This is about teaching young people what it means to go to work, do a job and earn a wage, and the responsibility that comes with that, as well as giving them valuable exposure to an exciting work environment.

If you want to take part in the Hackney 100, you can find out more here.

[button link=”http://www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney100.htm#.U7aAvZRX9pA”]Apply to be part of the Hackney 100[/button]