Member Article

Not-for-profit workshops aim to change lives

Not everyone has climbed on board the train marked 21st century technology, and those who have been left behind sometime feel disadvantaged in the job market.

Two creative entrepreneurs want to change this by offering digital creative workshops and courses aimed a re-equipping potentially talented people with the knowledge they need to get a foot in the door of the creative digital workplace.

Vinca and Lee Power, short-listed for the 2015 Spark Business competition, run by Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC), are developing the Creativefront Digital Academy. The not-for-profit training provider will specialise in creative digital workshops and courses for people who are financially or socially disadvantaged.

Vinca Says: “Talented individuals in the creative industries only need to understand the software and have a good portfolio to get a foot in the door. We want to break down preconceptions of the creative digital industry, and address the lack of creative job skills training outside of formal education.”

The duo are looking to provide a quality service for local government authorities, the prison service, JobCentre Plus, charities and businesses. Vinca explains: “Local authorities spend a combined £42 billion every year on external contractors. We want to offer full back-to-work schemes, including work placements, accreditation, qualifications and mentoring, allowing us to tender for large contracts.”

Vinca and Lee believe winning the 2015 Spark Business competition at SBIC and a package of support worth £15,000, including a year’s free office space at SBIC which is owned by Stockport Council and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will enable them to begin changing lives through learning.

Lee says: “The Creativefront Digital Academy will succeed because of our determination and passion for social change. We’re already making a difference. On a recent course a long-term unemployed illustrator left behind by the digital boom learned to transfer his images onto a computer, enabling him to send them electronically to prospective employers. By teaching skills and giving knowledge, we can change people’s lives.”

The winner of the Spark Business competition will be announced at a gala evening on June 23rd.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Welton .