For 6,000 people in new jobs we have been making it happen

The council has been making it happen – in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, colleges and voluntary sector providers – by setting up apprenticeships and training, with a strong focus on supporting young people and those facing the greatest barriers to employment. 

Steps that the council has taken, as part of its commitment to creating a more equal borough, include: 

• Investing £350,000 to open two Youth Employment Hubs, giving 16–25‑year‑olds free support to plan their next steps. And more than 1,000 young people have already moved into work or apprenticeships with help from council services over the last four years.

• The council is also investing in targeted programmes for young people who face the biggest challenges. Your Choice offers paid summer jobs for teenagers and young adults at highest risk of serious youth violence. The programme has delivered 62 paid placements with 30+ employers, with 95% of participants avoiding further offending and 62% moving into education, employment or training. 

• The Trailblazer programme, launched in 2025, provides intensive support, functional skills and paid internships for care‑experienced young people, and will expand this year to include young people not in training, education or employment. 

• Schools and employers are playing a key role – so far this year, 245 World of Work activities have taken place, helping children and young people understand different careers and meet employers. In summer 2025, 100 work experience placements were delivered across nine local schools. 

• Last year, around 4,000 people took part in free Adult Community Learning courses in venues across the borough, helping residents build skills and confidence. 

• The number of people in Islington taking up apprenticeships continues to grow, with more than 1,000 residents supported into roles with the council or local employers since April 2022. 

• The Islington Supported Employment Team (ISET) is providing tailored employment support for residents with additional needs or barriers to work, including people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges and long‑term conditions. Across the Islington Working partnership the council has supported 910 residents with long term health conditions and disabilities into work since 2022/23. 

• Connect to Work is a new government‑funded supported employment programme which will be launching in the coming weeks. It will support residents with disabilities or long‑term health conditions to prepare for work, find the right job and stay in employment, offering personalised help for people both in and out of work. 

• Islington’s Anchor Institutions Network — a partnership with 10 other major local employers — is also supporting this work. The network brings together some of the borough’s largest organisations to increase local recruitment and strengthen local supply chains, creating more opportunities for residents and local businesses. 

Cllr Santiago Bell-Bradford, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Culture & Jobs said: “We are determined to make Islington a more equal place, where everyone can access the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in work. 

“Work transforms lives, and I’m incredibly proud that more than 6,000 residents have moved into jobs with our support. We’re helping people gain the training, experience and apprenticeships that enable them to reach their full potential, whatever their background. 

“We’re committed to making it happen for our residents by investing in the services, partnerships and opportunities that help people build secure and fulfilling futures.”