The shortlist for the 2021 London Borough Apprenticeship Awards has been announced by London Councils.

Unveiling the shortlisted candidates, London Councils’ Executive Member for Skills and Employment, Cllr Clare Coghill, said: “This year marks 11 years since the first London Borough Apprenticeship Awards were held to celebrate the outstanding achievements of apprentices working for London boroughs and their supply chains.

“Over these years, boroughs have led the way in creating apprenticeship opportunities that highlight the value of vocational education, not only helping people enter the capital’s workforce, but laying solid career foundations and expanding the horizons of Londoners of all ages.

“The London Borough Apprenticeship Awards highlight the diversity of apprentices across London local government in terms of industry, age and background and shine a spotlight on those individuals who have excelled in their chosen field of work and in giving back to London’s communities.

“Job opportunities have been severely hit over the last 18 months. Borough apprenticeships are a vital opportunity to grow skills that London’s diverse communities urgently need to recover and flourish as we reach the final stages of the pandemic."

This year's awards will be held virtually in an online celebration in September, look out for details in Key Issues closer to the time.

The shortlist for the 2021 Awards is available in full here.

The City of Westminster this week became the newest borough to join London's e-rental scooter scheme with e-scooters available to rent from Monday 02 August.

Following the government’s decision to legalise rental trials of e-scooters, TfL and London Councils launched a trial of rental e-scooters in the capital in June. The trial initially covered a core area including Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Richmond, Tower Hamlets and Canary Wharf. On 5 July, the City of London, Lambeth and Southwark joined the trial.

The expansion of the trial with Westminster means that e-scooters can be hired and used in a wider area of central and inner London. TfL and London Councils are continuing discussions with boroughs about further expansions over the coming months.

Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, Mayor Philip Glanville, said: “Safety remains the top priority for the trial. We will be looking closely at data and insights as the trial continues to grow to determine whether e-scooters are a viable part of a greener and healthier future for London. Vitally, the trial is shaped by the boroughs and aims to support London’s diverse local communities by being inclusive of the travel needs of all Londoners, especially those on lower incomes.”

Westminster's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Management, Councillor Melvyn Caplan said: “I am pleased that Westminster will become the latest borough to join the TfL e-scooter rental scheme, providing residents and visitors with an environmentally friendly way to travel around the city.

"Westminster City Council has worked hard over recent months to identify suitable parking locations for this scheme, and we have monitored the roll-out in other boroughs to ensure that the trial in Westminster can operate as smoothly and safely as possible.

"The safety of residents and visitors to the city will remain our top priority throughout this process and we will work closely with providers and TfL to ensure that users comply with the rules."

London Councils will be hosting events at each of the major party conferences this autumn.

Our event at the Liberal Democrat conference (virtual)  on Monday 20 September will be chaired by Sutton Council Leader Cllr Ruth Dombey OBE

Our event at the Labour conference (Brighton) on 27 September will be chaired by Camden Council Leader Cllr Georgia Gould.

Our event at the Conservative conference (Manchester) on 5 October will be chaired by Kensington and Chelsea Council Leader Cllr Elizabeth Campbell.

Look out in future Key Issues for further details of the events including panelists nearer the time.

London Councils has added an Instagram account to its social media. You can follow us @londoncouncils