More than 100 unemployed young Londoners will be given a life-changing chance to get on the career ladder, thanks to companies taking part in the Skill Up Step Up campaign
The campaign was launched by the two news brands in December in response to the capital’s soaring youth unemployment rates.
With young people in London unable to take advantage of high vacancy rates due to a lack of skills or experience, Skill Up Step Up has sought to upskill young people to be “work ready” for sustainable jobs or apprenticeships.
Almost a dozen employers have so far pledged to hire 119 disadvantaged young Londoners who have been upskilled by Springboard, a charity funded as part of the £1 million campaign and in partnership with Barclays LifeSkills.
Companies both big and small have pledged to take part in the scheme, with both catering operator Compass Group and popular Islington restaurant Ottolenghi among those having signed up.
David Cohen, campaigns editor for both the Evening Standard and The Independent, said: “We are off to a flying start. Our campaign to upskill jobless young people in the capital and give them a foot up onto the career ladder has clearly struck a chord with employers.
“We need to keep this going because this is a load that is lightened considerably if we act collectively.”
