Project 100 students will receive living wage Pic: TaxRebate.org.uk

Hackney Council has launched a work project that offers 100 job placements with a “London Living Wage” of £8.80 an hour for students aged 16 and 17.

Called the Hackney 100 Project, the initiative provides four hours’ work a week for young people starting in September and for a minimum of six months. It was launched last week at the Urswick School in Paragon Road.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, said that the idea was to bring the student tradition of having a Saturday job or a paper round up to date by taking advantage of the borough’s economic success. Placements will be up for grabs in technology, media, design, fashion, hospitality, catering, engineering and finance.

“Hackney is experiencing unprecedented growth particularly in the creative and digital industries,” he said. “We want Hackney residents to benefit from this and we want see local young people take full advantage of the opportunities our borough has to offer to help us continue our success story.

“With the Hackney 100, we are providing opportunities for teenagers to shape their future careers, and helping to re-establish a culture of paid work for school students at a time when the traditional Saturday job has become a distant memory. They will be paid the London Living Wage of £8.80 per hour, so those that take part can really start to feel the value of earning their own money. This is an exciting opportunity for young people and businesses alike.”

Hackney’s economic success has been reflected in higher levels of employment. According to the latest Annual Population Survey, from 2006 to 2013, the percentage of people in work in the borough increased from 58.4 per cent to 62.8 per cent while the number of people unemployed dropped from 11.7 per cent to 10.9 per cent.

One of the high-profile businesses participating in the scheme is the technology company Optimity. Its Chief Executive Anthony Impey said: “We’re excited about the scheme and what it an offer young people in Hackney. At the launch, I told the young people present what would be expected of them.

“It will be hard work and they will be expected to pull their weight and earn their money. This is about teaching young people what it means to go to work, do a job and earn a wage, and the responsibility that comes with that, as well as giving them valuable exposure to an exciting work environment.”

Further details, including how to apply before the deadline of August 22, are here: http://www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney100.htm#.U70k241OWM8