Last year Mayor Boris Johnson set a target of helping 20,000 Londoners into apprenticeships by September 2011.
Figures released today show the drive, which was delivered in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service, has resulted in 28,120 apprenticeships being offered.
City Hall says as part of his campaign the Mayor wrote to businesses within the capital asking them to “play their part in helping Londoners into work.”
Companies offering places include Sky, Veolia Environmental Services, HSBC and the Reed Group. A further 2,000 apprenticeships have been created within the Greater London Authority and its suppliers over the past two years.
Announcing today’s figures, Mayor Johnson said: “I am extremely grateful to everyone who has helped us rise to this important challenge.
“Whether it’s in banking, financial services, technology, media or the arts, we’ve sought to ensure that these young people are poised to take advantage of any opportunities that arise for them in the future, so that London is well poised to lead the rest of the UK out of recession.”
Simon Waugh, Executive Chairman of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “‘The number of apprentices taking an Advanced or Higher Apprenticeship has almost doubled since last year and our relationship with the Mayor of London and the GLA is crucial to sustain this drive and increase the level and quality of Apprenticeships across London.”
