Students in Hackney have a chance to get valuable work experience this summer - and get paid for it.

Students in Hackney have a chance to get valuable work experience this summer - and get paid for it.

The City of London Corporation is supporting more than 100 paid summer work placements for state school A-Level students from Hackney and other City fringe boroughs through the City of London Business Traineeship scheme.

With 12,500 unemployed in Hackney, students face a competitive jobs market and hands-on experience can help give them the extra edge.

Over the last 10 years, the City of London Business Traineeship Scheme has placed 52 high flying A-Level students from Hackney in paid summer traineeships at top City firms.

Jordan-Marie Caton from Hackney who undertook a placement with legal eagles Allen and Overy said: “I have got a better understanding about what it means to work within a team and how important it is, during times where urgent deadlines are required.

Stuart Fraser, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee at the City of London Corporation, says, “It is encouraging to see an unprecedented number of paid work placements being offered on this year’s City of London Business Traineeship scheme to young people from the borough of by City firms who are recognising what they can do to support talented individuals from more challenging backgrounds. With a tough job market, it has never been more important for young people to gain real employment experience and we are delighted to be able to offer the young people of Hackney real prospects through these ground breaking placements.”

Firms participating in the scheme include financial powerhouses, banks, recruitment agencies and law firms, representing both small businesses and international corporations. Hosts include email marketing agency Alchemy Worx, lawyers Allen & Overy, financial experts Bloomberg, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Canada.

Successful candidates will begin their paid traineeships in July. The work placements last up to 13 weeks and trainees can develop skills in a variety of sectors including banking, insurance, legal and human resources. Trainees are paid the standard rate for their role and interested host firms can sign up to the scheme throughout the year.

Find out how to apply at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cbt