Hackney school students bag Olympics jobs

Things are looking up for Our Lady’s Convent High School students

At a time when teenage unemployment is at a record high, a select group of Hackney students are celebrating bagging their dream jobs.

A total of 200 Hackney students have gained job offers to work during the Olympics next year.  Fifty of them are from a single school – Our Lady’s Convent High School.

The group have secured paid positions, working at the 2012 Olympics next summer, at the London Living Wage rate of £8.30 per hour.  This is compared to the minimum wage of £4.98 per hour for 18-20 year-olds,  and   £3.68 per hour – the 16-17 year-olds rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18.

A jubilant Ryianna Stavrinides, 18, said: “Securing employment during the Olympics next year will make my life so much easier and will really develop my chances for the future.

“In the same week as youth unemployment increased, I was amongst over 200 young people in Hackney who were given a chance to be the face of London during the 2012 Games.”

The students were from sixth forms across the borough who worked with the community organisation London Citizens to prepare for their crucial interviews at St John at Hackney Church in Lower Clapton Road.

Hackney’s London Citizens’ coordinator Sebastien Chapleau said: “I’m so happy for the students – seeing them in tears, jumping around, hugging each other was a great moment.

“Not only did London Citizens make sure that the jobs available during the Games would be paid the London Living Wage, we are also making sure that 30 per cent of the workforce would be recruited locally.
At a time when youth unemployment is so high this demonstrates that organised communities can make things happen and bring hope – and well-needed cash –  to our neighbourhoods.”