Our new marketing apprentice Zarrin is going to be writing regular blog entries for our new City Gateway Youth Facebook Page - just one of the ways we're communicating with young people on, or interested in, our courses.

We'll post roundups of some of her entries on this website too so you can all benefit from a first person insight into life with City Gateway, her first two entries follow below.

Hi I’m Zarrin,
For the next three months I will be updating the blog as I am an apprentice at City Gateway. I did an I.T course at City Gateway; I started from Engage and finished at Export. At the moment I am doing apprenticeship at City Gateway.

My time at City Gateway was the best!!! I loved every second of it! City Gateway opened more gates for me. I didn’t think I would complete the course but I did and shockingly I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to work with them. The staffs there are very friendly and they do treat you like a young adult. I know you heard that saying so many times before and I did as well but they actually do.

I’m learning, working and earning how good could it get. I attended an apprenticeship opening evening to represent City Gateway. I had to engage people like me and tell them about our courses. I thought that day was good, as I saw a lot of people who are in the same position as I was. It was great showing them the opportunities they have. It was held at the Britannia hotel on the 03/02/10.

Hi it’s Zarrin Khanom again,
On the 16th of February I was called to come down to Limehouse Youth Club to meet and have a conversation with channel 4 news reporters. Haleema Karim (apprentice) spoke to them and said it was nerve racking but very exciting. I thought it was a very unusual experience, not every day we get on channel 4. City Gateway gives us a lot of opportunities. Me and few other apprentices also met the evening standards reporters. City Gateway gave me the opportunity to be a trainee, staff and also gave me fame!!!

Someone once asked me “how can I make quick money”

Young people these days that are out of college, think the best and quick way they can earn is by getting in to drugs and crime. However organisations like City Gateway keeps those people off the streets. As you can gain money and train for skills and qualifications on whatever subject you desire. Whether it’s I.T, Customer service or even language.