Ealing Council's Urban Hack
initiative is successfully engaging young people by tasking teenagers with academics to solve real-world council-related problems.
The initiative was highlighted during a recent Strategy and Change Scrutiny Panel meeting, where it was discussed as part of a broader update on the council's Workforce Strategy. The Urban Hack
programme aims to not only address council challenges but also to educate young people about the diverse range of roles within local government, potentially inspiring future careers.
Engaging Young Minds
Richard Llewellyn-Davies, a representative from the council, described the Urban Hack
as a fantastic, innovative programme
that runs regularly with Ealing Schools. He explained that teenagers work alongside academics to tackle problems faced by the council, particularly those relevant to young people.
It's a great opportunity to also educate young people about everything that the council does and to get them engaged with thinking about future careers and whether they want to come and work for a body like us,
Llewellyn-Davies stated.
The panel heard that two Urban Hack
events were scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, with one focusing on general issues and another specifically on the regional park.
Broader Workforce Strategy
The Urban Hack
initiative is one of several programmes discussed as part of Ealing Council's commitment to developing its workforce and engaging with the community. The Workforce Strategy prioritises learning and development, recruitment and retention, attracting early and mid-career professionals, equality, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.
During the meeting, councillors raised questions about the council's approach to attracting and retaining talent, particularly younger employees, and the need to ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the community it serves. The Urban Hack
was presented as a positive example of how the council is actively working to connect with and involve young people in its operations.