A youth leadership development scheme has completed an intensive training residency for unemployed youngsters in east London to open a fast track path to top jobs.

The two-week event by the UpRising organisation held at Canary Wharf Group’s Level 39 business growth centre was for graduates under 24 who have been on Job Seekers Allowance for more than 13 weeks.

The ‘Fastlaners’ programme has been bridging the gap since 2010 between east London’s high unemployment and the thriving Canary Wharf business district, giving graduates skills in a professional environment such as networking to find jobs. Many have moved into employment or training since 2010, including BT, the Treasury, Nexus and Citibank.

Canary Wharf Group provided mentors as part of the residency from its Level 39 technology accelerator for businesses the in financial, retail and future technologies industries.