Ambitious Hackney teenagers who want to get a foot on the career ladder through paid work experience with high-calibre companies are being urged to apply for a new scheme which launches in September.

The Hackney 100 initiative will give 100 teenagers aged 16 and 17 the opportunity to gain four hours of valuable work a week, equipping them with skills and experience as well as payment at the London Living Wage of £8.80 per hour.

Mayor of Hackney Jules Pipe, who launched the initiative at the Urswick School in Paragon Road, said the idea is for young people to benefit from growth in the creative and digital industries.

He said: “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.”

To apply for a six month placement see www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney100.