An apprenticeship scheme is to be launched in memory of Jimmy Mizen, the teenager from South East London who was killed last year. On Thursday January 22nd Leathermarket JMB, which manages 1500 council homes in the north of Southwark is to set up the scheme after Jimmy spent two weeks on work experience with their repair team.
So impressed were the Leathermarket JMB staff with Jimmy’s attitude that they decided to set up an inaugural apprenticeship scheme in September last year, and encouraged him to apply for it.
However, a few months before he could take up the offer, Jimmy was killed after being attacked in a bakery in Lee. He had been enjoying the day off from working in his father’s shoe repair business, having celebrated his sixteenth birthday the day before.
Leathermarket JMB has decided to go ahead with their plans in honour of the teenager, and will launch the Jimmy Mizen Apprenticeship Scheme on January 22nd. They have already got two apprentices in place, one in carpentry and one in painting, after approaching Lewisham College for candidates.
Jimmy’s parents with the new apprentices at the launch of the scheme
John Paul Maytum, Chair of Leathermarket JMB, said: “Our organisation is all about committed people making a difference to the quality of peoples lives and Jimmy exemplified this in his time with us.
“Jimmy’s attitude and approach gave us a shining model of what committed young people can achieve and so it seemed right to name our Apprentice scheme in his memory. It was tragic he was taken from us all so young, but we hope he will be a model for all the other apprentices that join our scheme.”
Jimmy’s parents Barry and Margaret said
“Our dear son Jimmy was really looking forward to starting the apprenticeship, we feel sure it would have been ideal for him and he would have given it his full effort. We are very grateful to JMB for deciding to continue to create the apprenticeship in memory of Jimmy who ‘showed them the potential of youth’. We wish the two young people who have been given this opportunity every success for the future.”
Councillor Nick Stanton, Leader of Southwark Council, said
“We’re delighted that the Leathermarket JMB is initiating such a scheme. At Southwark Council we believe that TMOs can bring about a huge improvement in services and help create a stronger more cohesive community. The Jimmy Mizen Apprenticeship scheme is a great example of how the JMB is using its powers to make a positive difference to people’s lives.”
