Member Article

North East’s young creatives boosted by £420k Generator investment in talent

Music development agency Generator has partnered with three of the North East’s youth support and creative organisations to launch a £420k programme for budding entrepreneurs in the North East.

Ladders will support 18-24 year olds wishing to pursue a career in the creative and digital industries on the back of research that suggests the region’s youth are ill informed about career opportunities.

A recent report by the North East Chamber of Commerce stated that 49% of young people were either not very informed, or not informed at all about the opportunities open to them and Generator believes it is increasingly difficult for young people to break into the creative industries.

Louise Henry, Generator’s Enterprise Development Coordinator, said: “The creative and digital industries typically recruit from a narrow section of society and Ladders will provide an opportunity to meet with industry professionals, learn practical and creative skills, visit potential workplaces, get interview experience and learn about enterprise.

“The focus is very much on the practical.”

Advice from family and friends is the primary source of careers advice for 64% of these young people, demonstrating a clear need for intervention from both local businesses and the education sector.

Ladders aims to address this issue within the creative and digital sector, providing 18-24 year olds with an invaluable insight to their chosen sector.

Young people will gain industry knowledge and experience in music, film and digital media alongside the skills needed to progress in this competitive industries.

The programme consists of creative courses and industry workshops delivered by This is Creative Enterprise (TICE), focusing on developing skills and knowledge of the music, TV, film and digital media industries.

Jennifer Barret, TICE Managing Director, said: “TICE is delighted to be a delivery partner on Ladders, the project has been carefully designed to fulfil the growing needs of the creative and digital sectors.

“More importantly, giving young people the chance to take ownership and manage their own career progression, assessing their skills and being proactive in finding career building opportunities through self-employment and employment options.”

Neil Burke, Youth Focus’ Regional Development Officer, added: “Ladders will really support young people to enter the creative sector through its rounded approach which will not only provide participants with creative skills and sector knowledge, but it will also provide young people with the generic support which they need to enter the world of work.”

Over the coming three years Ladders aims to develop and prepare over 100 young people for a career or self-employment in the creative and digital industries, none of which would be achievable without both delivery and funding partners. This year, courses are set to start in September.