Agenda item

The Committee received an update from the Town Clerk on the development of the City Apprenticeships scheme. Initial consultation had been undertaken with officers in the Community and Children’s Services Department on the scheme, who had raised a few points for discussion. Following the last meeting, officers had sought advice on safeguarding and duty of care issues relevant to the scheme. Whilst the full extent of requirements with regards to safeguarding and duty of care would not be clear until the scheme was more developed, advice on the immediate issues recommended that any Member involved in the scheme should have an up-to-date, enhanced DBS check and certificate, and should also undertake basic safeguarding training, regardless of whether or not a teacher would be present. Any scheme would also need to comply with all relevant corporate policies and undertake risk assessments as appropriate.

Members then discussed the scheme. The Chairman said that the scheme should provide an introduction to the Freedom and that aspect of the City of London. Apprentices could have the chance to see the City of London Corporation at work in its role as a civic and local authority. Activities could include attending Committee or Court of Common Council meetings or attending public events or speeches. The scheme should be aimed initially at City of London Corporation schools. Whilst the offer could be extended to schools sponsored by Livery Companies, a number of Livery companies had their own apprenticeship schemes set up which were likely to be connected to their sponsored schools. A Member suggested that when the scheme was set up it could be trialled with a very small group as a pilot scheme. However, it would need to be explored whether the scheme could be run alongside the busy school schedules.

The Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court advised the Committee that the Lady Mayoress had hosted events for students of City of London schools such as open afternoons at Mansion House, which had included talks from members of staff, some of whom had previously been City of London Corporation apprentices. The scheme could also be attached to the City Corporation’s modern apprenticeship scheme, which would allow for the scheme to make use of the structures such as monitoring programmes and agreements already in place.