Prince Andrew helps Hackney Community College bid to boost jobs

Prince Andrew helped host the event for Tech City employers at Open Kitchen, Hackney Community College's training bar and restaurant

A scheme to link young people in Hackney who need jobs with high tech employers got the royal seal of approval last week (Wednesday 18 January) at an event for businesses based in the borough’s very own Silicon Valley.

HRH The Duke of York KG was helping host a dinner for international companies who are part of Hackney College’s Tech City apprentice programme.

Tech City is another name for the ‘Silicon Roundabout’, the area around an Old Street road junction which has become famous for attracting cutting edge technology businesses and internet start-ups.

Employers from the booming locality, including Microsoft, Dell, Cisco and RIM (Blackberry), gathered in the Open Kitchen, Hackney Community College’s training bar and restaurant, to enjoy a dinner and hear how education providers can deliver the skilled staff they need.

“This dinner is another example of how we’re listening to employers and ensuring that we develop young people with the right skills, so they can benefit from the fantastic employment opportunities created by the regeneration of the Tech City area,” said Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College.