Northern apprenticeship agency to ‘Power Up’ skills in the creative industries

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has been awarded funding to launch a new, Northern apprenticeship agency for the creative industries that will start 50 apprentices in the first year.

The new ‘Power Up Agency’ is being launched in three pilot areas in the North East, North West and Yorkshire to secure placements with employers in each region. The flexibility of the agency model means that creative project apprentices will move to different employers to develop their skills and complete their apprenticeship.

Project director, Joss Underwood, said: “Our vision for this project is to recruit, train and develop diverse talent and drive opportunities for greater representation from entry level roles through to leadership, ensuring that apprentices and employers are supported throughout.”

During their time on the programme apprentices will work on creative projects with partner organisations and learn about project management, budgeting and finance, stakeholder management and planning, setting them up for future success and a career within the industry.

Partners already supporting the project include Factory International, Leeds Grand Futures and Sage Gateshead.

Gary Briggs, head of skills and Training at Factory International said: “Power Up’s vision aligns beautifully with our organisation’s values. This programme will create even more opportunities for creative and cultural organisations to connect and collaborate across the region, and most importantly supporting employers to open-up pathways into this sector for young people in the north.”

Apprentices who are successfully recruited onto the programme will benefit from Greater Manchester Chamber’s large network of creative employers who will provide training placements and will deliver specialist masterclasses to enhance the apprentice experience.

Reet Dhallu, head of membership & commercial at Greater Manchester Chamber, said: “We are very much looking forward to supporting the industry with this important step change to embed apprenticeships and can bring all our knowledge and network into the project to ensure the best experience for all involved.”

The funding, secured from Arts Council England, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, will help the agency deliver a successful pilot to create new apprenticeships for the creative and cultural sectors where traditionally, recruiters have relied upon degrees.

Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez said: “The cultural and creative sectors are some of the major success stories in the UK economy and there are so many fantastic job opportunities being created right across the country.

Jane Tarr, director north and skills & workforces at Arts Council England, said: “Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to help diverse talent to progress and I’m delighted that we are funding this project to support creative and cultural organisations to invest in their workforce in this way.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily