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news Hounslow Council beats apprenticeship target
The London Borough of Hounslow has surpassed its target to create 4,000 additional apprenticeship and training opportunities across its neighbourhoods.
The ambitious target was pledged in 2018, with the aim of providing residents with more chances to get into local and accessible work. This has proved even more vital during the continuing challenges which the COVID pandemic has brought.
A total of 4,868 openings were created – 4,400 between the council and local employers, and 468 within the council itself. The figure goes way beyond the original target of 4,000 and is likely to reach 5,000 as the scheme continues. Opportunities are shared amongst age ranges, with a proportion for young people between the ages of 16-24 and for those aged 25 and over. This pledge was created in direct response to the government’s 2018’s Apprenticeship Levy, which resulted in a national drop in apprenticeship starts and was mirrored in Hounslow. The programme was designed to help employees gain the right skills to access a greater choice of appropriate, meaningful work that pays well and allows job progression.
In support, the Council promised to ensure its own house was in order, committing to create 10% of the pledged apprenticeship and training opportunities themselves, as well as key teams across the council working to support the local economy to successfully do the same.
Together with the Shop Local scheme, apprenticeships are also empowering local businesses and employers to grow and repair the borough’s economy with a specially trained workforce.
Cllr Tom Bruce, cabinet member for education, said: “I’m incredibly proud that we’ve not only met our apprenticeships and training opportunities target, but we’ve strived to go even further and create more opportunities for young people to get into work in a way that suits them. Residents have faced even more employment challenges during the pandemic, and this scheme has proved to be even more vital as we increase our recovery efforts as a borough.”
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news Venture X White City Opens its Doors at Westfield London
Following the success of its flagship branch in Chiswick Park, leading US coworking franchise Venture X is opening its doors at Westfield London in White City on 1st November 2021. Venture X members will benefit from an already thriving business community innovatively led by Westfield alongside White City Place and Television Centre.
White City Venture X UK workspace has all the hallmarks of a Venture X space with its distinctive modern design and market-leading features and amenities, flexible membership options, wraparound terraces and stunning views. The workspace also features a stateof-the-art podcast and media room which will be available to book for all members and visitors.
Chris Lukins, owner of the Venture X White City Franchise, is confident that the Westfield London site will play a vital part in the regeneration of White City and help the area to continue to evolve and is keen to work with Westfield to further enhance its reputation as a lifestyle destination brand: ‘Welcoming Venture X to our site expands the shared workspace offering within the White City area and creates an exciting new opportunity for London workers. The pandemic has shown us that people are reluctant to go back to the long commute to the city and the 9-5, and our partnership with Westfield recognises the increase in demand for near to home working, which will revolutionise our working lives.’
Scott Parsons, Chief Operating Officer UK, Unibail-RodamcoWestfield says: ‘Since 2008, Westfield London has been a key part of the local community and has proved integral to the evolution of White City and Shepherd’s Bush, becoming a world-class place to shop, live and work. Welcoming Venture X to our site expands the shared workspace offering within the White City area and creates an exciting new opportunity for London workers. We have no doubt our new neighbours will enjoy everything that Westfield London has to offer, including a range of leisure experiences, over 60 places to eat and drink and 300 stores, right on their doorstep.’
