The City of London has increased by a quarter the amount of money it makes available for funding “career aspiration projects” in the City and City fringes, those boroughs which border the City boundary.
Over £400,000 is to be made available for funding ten projects aimed at raising the aspirations of young people and parents and helping them understand the range of career choices available in the Square Mile.
Running from September 2009 until March 2011, the projects aim to introduce almost 1,000 residents of the City and City fringes to a whole raft of City-type jobs and provide almost 500 with training opportunities.
Stuart Fraser, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee at City of London Corporation, says, ‘For many young people from the City fringes, the City has invisible walls of steel and a City-type job can appear unattainable. The new projects demonstrate our ongoing commitment to promoting a ‘City for everyone’ and opening City fringe residents’ eyes to the host of career opportunities in the Square Mile.
‘Many young people have considerable potential but have no awareness of how to market themselves and the importance of networking, training and internships. As well as educating young people in these skills, the projects also encourage parents to plant a goal in their children early on, helping them to gain long-term career aspirations’
This year’s funding is the first time parents in the City fringes will be targeted with help in understanding the range of opportunities on offer and the skills and qualifications required.
These issues will be addressed by working with groups of parents and carers at City fringe schools and offering workshops on the City. The project will also help parents educate their children as well as help their own job searches.
