The latest batch of school-leavers has successfully graduated from a business apprenticeship scheme run by a charity in London’s East End for those not going onto university—and all landing jobs at the end of it.

East London Advertiser: Apprentices with tutor Tracy Chesterton from East End Community FoundationApprentices with tutor Tracy Chesterton from East End Community Foundation (Image: Archant)

Six completed a 12-month programme by the East End Community Foundation and now have posts at Barts NHS trust and the MyBnk financial education charity.

The programme equips youngsters with skills needed for the workplace, while paying wages based on actual work on trial placements.

One of the six graduating, Riyad Khan from Whitechapel, has a permanent job in the renal department at the Royal London hospital.

“I just didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school,” he admits. “But my tutor told me about the course, which gave me the motivation to keep improving.”

Riyad was on a month-long employability course which included interview training and money management run by volunteers from Barclays.

Three others on the programme are also working with the hospital trust.

The Foundation is currently recruiting a new cohort of 10 to 15 would-be apprentices to start training.

Its chief executive Tracey Walsh said: “Apprenticeships are a way to get a career for those who may not feel university is right for them. Opportunities open up once they’re with an employer, if they show what they’re capable of.”

Around 40 have been given apprenticeships in the three years since the scheme began.

Anyone between 18 and 25 living in Tower Hamlets or neighbouring Newham who is interested in the course can go online to East End Community Foundation’s website, or email helen.kenney@eastendcf.org.

The charity also runs a similar programme in hospitality and catering for those aged 16 plus.