Youth unemployment in Islington is double the average for London, and a housing association moved to solve this with its first ever apprenticeship fair in King’s Cross.

Mary’s Youth Club, in Upper Street, recently claimed unemployment was the most pressing issue for young people in our borough, pointing to the contrast between Islington and the capital as a whole.

At its recent fair in the Hugh Cubitt Centre, Collier Street, Peabody gave 16–24 year olds the chance to meet different companies and find out more about apprenticeships on offer, from plumbing and hairdressing to engineering and construction.

Over 350 people turned up, and Ami Wyman, 23, said: “Events like this help people like me to sign up to an apprenticeship which could lead to a job.

“It also gives me the chance to meet people from different organisations rather than meeting them for the first time at an interview which can be intimidating.

“I’ve had some really helpful feedback about my CV and I am able to leave here with a clearer direction of what the next steps are for my future career path.”