Principles met

  • We will promote community-based approaches to economic development that focus on supporting the creation of jobs, social enterprises and other businesses and providing an environment for co-operative and mutual enterprises to thrive.
  • We will embrace innovation in how we work with local communities to drive positive change.
  • We will support the development of a framework and criteria for social value, giving substance to the concept and supporting Councils with the tools to ensure better local social and economic outcomes.
  • In exploring new ways of meeting the priority needs of our communities we will encourage models, such as co-operatives and mutuals, which give greater influence and voice to staff and users. in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.

The Royal Docks’ Internship Programme is a pioneering partnership between the Royal Docks Team at the Greater London Authority, the London Borough of Newham and local employers in the Royal Docks, Newham. It gives young people aged 18-30 living in Newham the opportunity to gain skills and experience with employers during a one-year internship paid at the London Living Wage (£11.95ph).

It was launched in 2021 with 10 young people have already successfully completed the programme. Now in year two, 15 interns are based at organisations from a wide range of sectors from construction to the creative arts. Now in its second year with a commitment to expand for year three, it has successfully supported 25 young people into employment while encouraging a wide range of organisations to become a living wage employer. It is a cornerstone of the work being undertaken to make the Royal Docks a Living Wage Place by 2025 with an aim to increase by 50% each year the number of accredited Living Wage employers in the Royal Docks.

Employers in the public, private and third sector employers based in east London from international companies through to local SME’s are participating in the programme and offering comprehensive work based training and skills development which provides young people from all backgrounds a springboard start to their career.

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