Member Article

Top creative businesses support 300 youngsters into work

Some top 100 creative and digital media companies have united behind an innovative new recruitment drive across the country, to fast track 300 young people into work.

Spearheaded by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, the initiative is being backed by Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey.

Facebook, Twitter and Spotify are among the companies involved in the scheme, as applications open today for the “Creative Pioneers Challenge” which is open to anyone over the age of 16.

Successful applicants will begin work in September across a variety of roles as apprentices or paid interns in television and film production, gaming, digital technology, web design and analytics, social media, media planning and buying, creative services, marketing communications and advertising.

Budding entrepreneurs can also enter their ideas, with the chance to access the best in the business to support them in mentoring and investment, as they attempt to get their idea off the ground.

Ed Vaizey said: “This brilliant scheme will create hundreds of exciting and rewarding new jobs for young school leavers in the creative sector.

“The creative industries represent a massive opportunity for growth and the IPA and the companies involved in this challenge are to be commended for nurturing and developing the next generation of film directors, web and video game designers, advertising chiefs and marketing experts.”

Says Nicola Mendelsohn, IPA President and Executive Chairman and Partner, Karmarama: “When almost a million 16-24 year olds are out of work, the need for this sort of initiative couldn’t be more apparent.

“It’s a real first - an employer-led collective committed to finding a solution to the national need. And the creative and digital media sector is well placed to do so, because there is high growth and big ambition for the UK’s potential.

“The government thoroughly supports us in this, as we play our part in helping the economy to recover.

“Furthermore, we hope this nationwide hunt for digital and creative talent will help push apprenticeships into the mainstream and make our industry more accessible.

“We want young people from any background to enter; it’s not just about qualifications, it’s about having the right mindset and attitude; it’s about seeing yourself as part of the next generation of creative pioneers.

“This country’s position in the world market relies on us being ready for our digital future as well as our ability to innovate.”

Dinah Caine, CEO, Skillset, and Chair Creative Industries Council Skillset Skills Group, added: “Creative Pioneers Challenge is just the sort of innovative approach we were hoping for when we launched our Skillset Skills Group strategy report with Creative Industries Council support in January of this year.

“This idea from the IPA is genius; it’s difficult for small creative businesses to make the time to set up apprenticeship schemes, but this does not mean they are not interested.

“With this scheme the bigger companies help bring on the smaller; the trade association acts as facilitator and adviser.

“And the whole of the creative industries benefit from the associated publicity. It’s a breakthrough model. Another first from the creative and digital media sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .