Member Article

Generator launches round two of Ladders

Following the success of their summer cohort, development agency Generator has launched round two of Ladders in a bid to foster the next generation of creative and digital talent in the region.

Funded by the BIG Lottery Fund and European Regional Development fund, the programme - which is aimed at providing young people with a foot in the door of the creative and digital sector - consists of three, 8-week creative courses in music, software development and film and TV to give participants first-hand industry insight and know-how.

Louise Henry, Generator’s Enterprise Development Coordinator, explains: “Schools and universities no longer have the resources to offer specific careers advice, and young people need more than an hour with a careers advisor to make important decisions. Generator recognises the role that local businesses must play in educating the younger generations, and Ladders is a step towards bridging the gap”.

Beneficiaries can expect to visit local businesses, engage in roundtable and panel discussions with startups and freelancers, meet inspiring entrepreneurs, hone their technical skills in recording studios and film suites that would be otherwise inaccessible.

Peter Banks and Sisley Henning, both 23, launched production company Fandangle Films after completing Ladders’ film and TV course:

“It was inspiring to see what creative work was happening in the region. Being encouraged to create a production company is definitely the best thing I’ll take away from Ladders. It’s something I felt I needed to do in the past, but never thought I could.”

Fandangle Films are now halfway through a series of free Ladders Enterprise Support workshops to help further progress their enterprise.

Generator is keen to attract more young women to the programme, particularly the software Development course. “Businesses are missing out by not diversifying their workforces,” adds Louise. “We’re fiercely passionate about showcasing the young female talent in the area, which is why we used Hannah Green, the only female on last year’s Software Course, as a case study.”

When asked about her time on the course, Hannah, said: “Ladders gave me an insight into an industry that, until 6 weeks ago, I had no knowledge of at all. It’s hard to compare 3 years at University to an 8-week course, but terms of directly transferable skills I would say Ladders has equipped me better”.

After completing the Ladders music course, each beneficiary has gone on to find work, collaboration, or released new material. Adam Robson had been writing grime tracks and recording them on his phone for years, and was finally given the opportunity to record in a studio.

He said: “Since being pushed out of my comfort zone by Ladders staff, I am happy to say I achieved a massive goal by producing my first track in the studio and getting it released on SoundCloud. Now that I have contacts in the music industry, I plan to produce more music in 2017.”

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