Next year will see the council offer a new paid training and work experience programme to help care-experienced young people aged 18-24 gain skills and confidence – and gain a valuable first step towards a career in local government.

Running from February to March 2025, the part-time role also offers the young people joining it the London Living Wage.

The initiative will provide practical training, mentoring, a qualification, and experience, supporting them to succeed and make a positive impact in the community.

The young people on the programme will work in the council’s housing contact centre, which is a vital part of the housing service and a key point of contact for residents. Here they will get hands-on experience in customer service, learning essential skills such as customer-first communication and problem-solving.

The council will also offer opportunities for the young people to shadow other housing teams, which will give them a broader understanding of how council services operate and their role in helping residents.

The programme also offers the young people the chance to grow and develop their careers within the council, offering long-term opportunities in public service.

Further benefits involve the young people being able to have internal guidance and networking opportunities through the Croydon Young Staff Network. This network provides a supportive environment for young professionals working in the council.

The young people can also improve their CVs and take part in mock interviews during the programme. They will also have the benefit of continued employability support from Runway Training after completing the programme.

Applications will be open until 3 January 2025 and the link to apply is on: https://forms.office.com/e/9cKvmyeDa3.

“This opportunity further enhances our offer to our care experienced young people, giving them the best start in life. The programme also reflects our vision for our borough – creating opportunities for all and empowering young people to succeed.

“By helping care-experienced young people build skills, confidence, and careers, we are investing in the future of our borough. We’re also taking positive steps to ensure that Croydon remains a place we are all proud to call home.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon