Young people in the borough are being invited to apply for a coveted paid internship with City firms.

The City of London Business Traineeship scheme, spearheaded by the City of London Corporation and delivered by the Brokerage Citylink, will offer 100 paid internships this summer.

Successful candidates will begin their work placements, lasting up to 13 weeks, in July, with trainees given the chance to gain skills in sectors including banking, insurance, legal and human resources.

Stuart Fraser, chairman of the policy and resources committee at the City of London Corporation, said: “Internships are an important rung on the ladder to success for young people but the sad fact is many young people from challenging backgrounds can simply not afford to work for free or for little remuneration and do not have the necessary contacts to secure work placements.

“This scheme helps to level the playing field and is therefore prized for the doors it opens for young people.”

Southampton University student Matthew Ward, 20, of Caledonian Road, Islington, who wants a career in investment banking, spent last year’s summer holidays in the Royal Bank of Canada’s UK government debt department.

He said: “With it being such a competitive job market when you leave university, you want something on your CV which makes you stand out.

“It also showed me what it takes to work in a city corporate environment, which was hard work but it was such a great buzz being around everything when it was happening.

“It also allowed me to make sure that I did want to work in that environment.”

For more information on the scheme, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/cbt