More than 60 visitors and employers attended the Somali Taskforce jobs and training fair hosted by the council’s Somali Taskforce and WorkPath, the council’s partnership employment programme.
Mayor Biggs set up and commissioned the Somali Taskforce last year, to investigate the challenges facing Somali residents in Tower Hamlets. The taskforce found that residents of Somali origin are more likely to suffer from economic inequality due to factors such as language barriers.
Recommendations, by the taskforce include creating new employment opportunities, an internship scheme and improved targeted provision for English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL).
The training and employment fair on November 13 was a major step towards improving the life experience of Somali residents in the borough.
Joined by Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs and Cllr Amina Ali, chair of the Somali Taskforce, visitors at the employment fair spoke to representatives of organisations including Transport for London; East London Business Association (ELBA); and the council’s careers service, enterprise, and Idea Store Learning teams.
Jobs seekers including school leavers, graduates and those looking to sign up for ESOL courses, learnt about apprenticeships, graduate schemes and other employment and training programmes.
Mayor John Biggs said: We know that the Somali community in Tower Hamlets faces significant challenges, including obstacles to employment and training. It is great to see employers and other partners working with the council to break some of the barriers down by offering targeted support to our Somali community.
– Press realise
