Second wave of Manchester employers sign up for Creative Apprenticeships

Cultural employers in Manchester have joined together to create a second wave of job opportunities for young people to 'earn while they learn' in the city's dynamic creative sector.

Building on the success of the first group of Manchester Creative Apprentices, who recently completed their qualifications, cultural organisations across the city have recruited local young people to a range of vacancies including design, music business, technical theatre and community arts.

Creative Apprenticeships are part of a national programme, created by the Sector Skills Council, Creative & Cultural Skills, aimed at young people aged between 16-24 who do not have a degree but have the drive and enthusiasm to succeed in the cultural sector.

Training is being given by The Manchester College on a day release basis, leading to a National Award at level 2 or 3 and each apprenticeship takes 12-18 months to complete.

The employers involved include: Cotyso Recording Studios, Marketing Manchester, Music Stuff, NK Theatre Arts, Zion Arts Centre and Manchester Art Gallery in partnership with Whitworth Art Gallery.

An increasing number of employers in Manchester are looking to develop Creative Apprenticeship posts and a further cohort is planned for Autumn 2011. It is hoped that the programme will then be delivered on a rolling basis.

Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: "The creative flair of our cultural organisations and the drive and enthusiasm of the apprentices made Manchester's first Creative Apprenticeships a great success. In the current economic climate it is more important than ever to invest in the creative talent that will drive the economic recovery. Creative Apprenticeships are enabling the city's cultural sector to help shape its future workforce, with Manchester residents being a visible face of the Manchester cultural offer. This new phase opens up more exciting opportunities to help Manchester residents build a career in the city's thriving creative economy and tackles the issue of young people and worklessness."

Dave Moutrey, Chief Executive of Cornerhouse, who was involved in the first cohort of Creative Apprenticeships in Manchester said, "The Creative Apprenticeship scheme was fantastic for Cornerhouse. We soon realised we couldn't afford to be without our apprentice, Leila, as she was such a great contribution to our team. Leila is now working full time at Cornerhouse as Engagement Assistant. We couldn't recommend the scheme more to employers."

Rionne Williams, 20 from Harpurhey, was one of over 100 applicants for Manchester's first Creative Apprenticeship cohort, and is now working with the City Council's Culture Team to develop arts and cultural activities in Manchester's neighbourhoods.

Rionne said: "The apprenticeship scheme has been a great chance for me to work in an environment that's fast paced and full of interesting people. The apprenticeship is the perfect blend of training and hands on experience, and has given me strong transferable skills to excel in my career. I look forward to the future and highly recommend the Creative Apprenticeship to anyone wanting an exciting and rewarding opportunity."

Jack Carney, Deputy Principal of The Manchester College said, "Once again the partner agencies in Manchester have been very proactive and enthusiastic about developing our second cohort of creative apprenticeships and The Manchester College is delighted to be part of the partnership working, which has such a committed team. We look forward to delivering the Creative Apprenticeship Frameworks to this next cohort."