Bankside-based firm helps Southwark teenagers develop IT skills

Twelve pupils from four Southwark schools – St Saviour's and St Olave's, Walworth Academy, Sacred Heart and St Michael's College – have spent the last year working with experts from the IT company to develop the 'It's On' project – a web-based data intelligence and reporting tool.

Pupils set up a fictitious company and developed an online survey to rate the activities promoted on the council's youth service website, whtvr.org. The survey was distributed to more than 800 young people in Southwark and the final product will be launched at a special event at Canada Water Library in October.

Two of the pupils – 15-year-olds Bobbi Hunter and Dana Nurse from St Saviour's and St Olave's School at Bricklayers Arms – spent a week at the end of the summer holidays gaining work experience at Aiimi's offices on Southwark Street.

"It is wonderful to see a local company prepared to give its time and expertise to provide opportunities for our young people to develop themselves and learn new skills that will prove invaluable in the future as they start competing for jobs," said Cllr Dora Dixon-Fyle, cabinet member for children's services.

"I was really impressed with the students I met and their commitment and hard work on this project."

Bobbi Hunter said: "It's been a really good project as we've been able to learn new skills like web design and development from people who do it every day for work."

Aiimi managing director Steve Salvin said: "It's been a great year and I've regularly been amazed by the high standard of work the students have produced.

"Our staff have also enjoyed being able to go into schools and share their expertise and knowledge.

"The IT industry is one of the only industries still experiencing growth and we feel it is really important to nurture these skills within the local community."