18 January 2010
Applications open for summer placement scheme in the
City
THE City of London Corporation is offering London school-leavers
a head-start as applications open this month for the City Business
Traineeship scheme. Open to all City fringe borough students in
Year 13, the scheme matches candidates to paid internship
placements with City firms.
Now in its 16th year, the City Business Traineeship programme is
funded solely by the City of London Corporation. The Brokerage
Citylink, which delivers the scheme, places A-level students from
City-fringe boroughs in internships that can span up to 13 weeks
and will be paid at the going rate for a graduate role. Last year
saw 85 London students placed at a wide range of City firms from
insurance companies to investment banks and law firms.
David Pack, Partnerships Manager at the City of London
Corporation says, “Despite the challenging environment, the City
continues to need new talent, and this scheme aims to highlight the
largely untapped resource of high-calibre, local candidates from
City-fringe boroughs. For many school-leavers in these areas, the
Square Mile can appear an impenetrable fortress, and the CBT scheme
offers them access to the opportunities the City has to offer. It’s
a bridge into a new world. ”
Candidates are chosen from applicants drawn from seven
City-fringe boroughs, including Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark,
Camden, Islington, Westminster, and Lambeth. They are assessed
according to their GCSE grades, and undergo an interview and
workshop process. Successful applicants are matched to
participating firms, before attending a final interview.
Alexandra Galviz, 18, who was named Trainee of the Year
following her summer placement with insurance firm, MAPFRE
Assistance last year, says, “Before my placement I thought the City
was all about brokers and banks. It was great to get some
invaluable experience at an insurance firm, which opened my eyes to
the breadth of opportunities in the City.”
Alexandra’s manager, Leire Jimenez at MAPFRE Assistance, says,
“Alexandra was such an invaluable asset during her work placement
that we would love to have her back after she completes her degree
or in the interim during her study breaks.”
To apply for the City Business Traineeship scheme, go to
http://www.thebrokerage.org.uk
Ends
Notes to editors
The City of London Corporation:
As the body providing local government services to the Square Mile,
the City of London Corporation’s primary role is to support and
enhance the business City – a world-leading international financial
and related business services centre. The City of London
Corporation is also committed to working with its neighbours to
support the regeneration of local communities. The City of London
or “Square Mile” shares its borders with some of the country’s most
deprived boroughs where unemployment remains high. The City of
London Business Traineeship programme brings together these two
objectives; helping the City to attract high calibre, well
motivated staff able to meet its skill needs, whilst also looking
to local sources to attract talented individuals as future members
of the workforce.
The Brokerage Citylink:
The Brokerage Citylink is a well established charity, working in
partnership with City employers to help residents from the Boroughs
close to the City access jobs in the City, its fringes and
Docklands. The Brokerage Citylink has been delivering the City of
London Business Traineeship programme on behalf of the City of
London Corporation since 2000.
www.thebrokerage.org.uk
Press contact
Neil Cassley or Jo Hooper at Rain Communications UK
T: 020 7222 4345
E:
firstname.surname@raincommunications.co.uk