From February 2010, Creative & Cultural Skills will work with Job Centre Plus and regional partners throughout England and Wales to secure employment in creative and cultural venues and organisations which are members of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills. The jobs will be open to people aged 18-24 who have been claiming benefits. The jobs on offer will include theatre technician, costume and wardrobe assistant, community arts officer and business administrator. All will include a level of accredited training, mentoring and support to ensure that the young people are given the skills to progress.
Commenting on the announcement, Tom Bewick, group chief executive, Creative & Cultural Skills said, "A job in the creative and cultural industries remains an impossible dream for too many young people. And currently in the UK one in five young people under 25 are unemployed. Yet, we know that the creative sector is already driving economic recovery and is key to Britain's future in which talent, wherever it may come from, will help drive innovation, enterprise and creativity.
"I'm delighted that Ministers have listened and acted upon our calls. The new funding will help talented and creative young people, including those from some of our most deprived communities, break into the cultural sector. Crucially, it will help our industries develop a more diverse and better skilled workforce. Working with our National Skills Academy, we will roll out the scheme from early in the new year."
Paul Latham, CEO Live Nation International Music and chair of the National Skills Academy said, "This is a great result for the creative and cultural sector. We're continuing to build networks, training and new opportunities for people to enter the sector through our National Skills Academy and this fund means that over 200 young people who might not otherwise have had the chance, will be employed, gain new qualifications through an Apprenticeship and progress in our industry, as well as strengthening the sector through increasing its capacity and diversifying its workforce. Live Nation is pleased to be working with Creative and Cultural Skills in delivering this initiative, developing the employees and jobs of the future."
Successful candidates will initially be offered a pre-apprenticeship job that will last for six months. During this period they will have the opportunity to undertake an Arts Award that recognises the full range of skills they develop during their employment. They will then move on to do a full Apprenticeship, which will include on-the-job training and the opportunity to complete a variety of qualifications designed to help them in their future careers. All those taking part in the programme will be paid a wage that is at least equivalent to the national minimum wage.
The programme will be managed by the National Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. The NSA will work with local Job Centres, Connexions services and local authorities to identify employees. The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills is an industry-led membership organisation set up to develop and deliver job specific training and skills for the live music and technical theatre industry. It currently has over 180 employer members and works with 20 Founder Further Education Colleges across England.
(Jim Evans)
