New film inspires young talent to pursue an Apprenticeship in the creative sector

A new film has been launched by the National Apprenticeship Service to encourage more young people to take up an Apprenticeship in the creative sector. The film features four young people working in different creative industries who share their stories about how an Apprenticeship set them on their way to a future career in the creative sector.

The four rising stars from BBC 1’s The One Show, digital media agency, Twofour, photography company, Seven Spring Studios, and creative industry training provider, Diversity in Visual Arts, also talk about the varied job roles and opportunities available.

Employers, led by Creative Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Industries, are being encouraged to promote the film across the sector and to young people. In addition, the National Apprenticeship Service will use the film in resource packs for schools and at careers events across the country.

To view and share the film, visit www.apprentice.tv.

Luke Boatright, 21, formerly an advanced apprentice in Creative and Digital Media at the BBC, and now a junior art director for BBC 1’s The One Show, who features in the film said: “My Apprenticeship gave me experience, one of the best qualifications possible in the TV industry, as well as the opportunity to build a network of contacts. The experience has proved invaluable. The creative industry is incredibly broad in terms of the type of job you could end up doing so an Apprenticeship is a great way to explore what’s on offer. I would definitely encourage more young people to think about doing an Apprenticeship.”

The other stars of the film are:

· Selene Shaw (20), a marketing assistant and advanced apprentice in creative and digital media at Diversity in Visual Arts in London

· Rich Thompson (21), a junior assistant producer and formerly an advanced apprentice in creative and digital media at digital media agency, Twofour Digital Ltd in Plymouth

· Lydia Cobb (19) a studio assistant and advanced apprentice in photo-imaging at Seven Springs Studios in Dorchester

 Dinah Caine, CEO from Creative Skillset, said: “Providing opportunities for young people from a range of backgrounds to enter the creative industries is vital to keeping the sector vibrant and fresh. Apprenticeships offer young people the opportunity to build skills, experience and contacts in this competitive and fast-paced sector. They give employers access to a diverse talent pool and the opportunity to train the next generation with the skills needed to help the UK creative industries maintain their excellent standing around the world.”

David Way, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, commented: “With Apprenticeships now available in many of the creative industries, there has never been a better time to become an apprentice and get the skills and experience you need to really make a mark in this competitive industry. This campaign features the best people to get this message across – people who are or have been apprentices themselves. We hope young people will see the film and be inspired to explore what an Apprenticeship could do for them.”

The Creative Sector film is the second in a series of ‘sector in the spotlight’ films being created by the National Apprenticeship Service to promote Apprenticeships in key industry sectors.

Apprenticeships cover more than 250 skills and industries across 1,400 job roles, over an extensive range of skill levels. An Apprenticeship in creative & digital media or in marketing covers new entrant roles in a range of areas, including TV, Archive, Animation, Interactive Media, Film, Photo Imaging, Radio, PR, Event Organisation, Marketing, Market Research and Advertising.

Government funding is available to help companies take on an apprentice. Through the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) of 16-24 year olds, businesses who choose to grow their business through Apprenticeships can access funding of £1,500. The grant is open to organisations employing up to 1,000 people, who have never employed an apprentice before, or have not recruited one in the past 12 months.

For more information on Apprenticeships, visit apprenticeships.org.uk.