A new apprenticeship has been developed specifically for the creative and cultural industries.
The creative apprenticeship is currently being developed by Creative & Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for advertising, design, craft, cultural heritage, commercial music and the literary, visual and performing arts.
A specific response to employer demand for a flexible, purpose-built training framework, it seeks to open new routes of entry to the creative and cultural industries and help to diversify the sector workforce.
A number of employers – including EMI, Universal Music Group, UK Unsigned, The National Trust, Royal Opera House and the Sage, Gateshead – have signed up to offer prototype apprenticeships this autumn, with the UK roll-out taking place in 2008.
The Minister for Skills Phil Hope said the Government would be providing £400,000 in financial support for the new apprenticeship and prototype schemes which he described as containing ‘exciting ideas’.
Tom Bewick, chief executive of Creative & Cultural Skills, said: “Our aim is to embed a culture of apprenticeship in the creative industries across the United Kingdom.
“Our sector is rightly envied worldwide for its vision, flair, cultural capital and business performance.
“But that success cannot be taken for granted. Creative apprenticeships will give talented young people a first- class introduction to working in our sector, equipping them with both job-specific skills and a sound understanding of the wider creative and cultural economy.
“Crucially, it will seek to help employers – both large and small – to meet pressing skills needs.”
Creative & Cultural Skills has appointed Educational Development International (EDI), the vocational qualifications awarding body, to lead the development of the apprenticeship framework.
