Leading technology firms including IBM and Capgemini have pledged to take on up to 200 apprentices each to mark London Technology Week.
A study by Tech London Advocates earlier this year found that 43% of its members fear a shortage of talent is threatening London technology’s continued growth.
Over the next ten years, London’s digital technology sector is expected to create 46,000 new jobs. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has said he wants employers to ensure that this growth includes many thousands of apprenticeship opportunities for Londoners.
Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor, said: “This announcement shows that young people can in fact access a sector that is often wrongly perceived to require very highly developed skills early on in their careers.”
Malthouse is also keen to dispel the myth that apprentices are all about manual labour, and is encouraging small businesses to get involved in the programme.
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