The winners of this year's London Borough Apprenticeship Awards were announced on Monday at a special ceremony at the Barber Surgeon's Hall, hosted by London Councils.

The London Borough of Camden's Jawad Ibrahimi was named Apprentice of the Year for 2023. An Afghan refugee who arrived in the UK in 2021, Jawad secured an Advanced Business Administrator apprenticeship, where, despite language barriers, he has helped other refugees, featured in promotional videos and delivered a moving speech at a Camden Apprenticeships event.

All of this year's winners were recognised for their exceptional impact working across London local government in a range of sectors including finance, housing, regeneration, and waste and recycling.

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, Executive Lead for Economy and Skills, said: "Each year I am blown away by the talent and passion of the nominees and winners from the boroughs, who are motivated to serve the public good and realise their incredible potential."

"I encourage Londoners to look into the apprenticeship opportunities that are available across all of London's boroughs and consider joining us in becoming an impactful and inspirational driver of what makes our city so unique."

To see more about how the day unfolded and view all of the well-deserved winners, have a look at the London Councils twitter page.

Acting Chair of London Councils Environment and Transport Committee Cllr Deirdre Costigan gave evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee last week, as MPs continue evidence gathering on outdoor and indoor air quality targets.

Cllr Costigan explained London Councils' cross party view that London's boroughs are ambitious for London's air, but that improved dialogue with government, devolution of powers and funding remain signifcant sticking points in meeting those ambitions. 

The most recent blog in the ongoing series covering various aspects of London Councils' Climate Programme looks at the challenges and opportunities presented by dockless bikes - and what needs to happen to make micromobility schemes work for London.

You can read the blog, by London Councils Principal Policy and Project officer Agathe de Canson here.

Sir William Anthony Bowater Russell (Ind) was elected to represent the City of London’s Bread Street ward in an Aldermanic by-election on 7 September. You can read the result in full here.