Young people in Wales to be among the first to get Creative Apprenticeship places. The first UK-wide, government-backed apprenticeship scheme for the creative and cultural industries is on its way to Wales. Details of the innovative scheme which seeks to provide new entry routes to skilled jobs in a vibrant sector of the Welsh economy will be unveiled at a special event at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff next Tuesday, March 6th. Creative & Cultural Skills, the employer led Sector Skills Council, is developing the Creative Apprenticeship in response to industry demands for a new and flexible work-based qualification for young people. In Wales it seeks to address an acute shortage of trained and qualified technical staff in theatres and live entertainment venues. Some employers report having to recruit skilled workers from England and even continental Europe. The Welsh Assembly Government is a leading supporter of the Creative Apprenticeship and is providing funding for a groundbreaking prototyping scheme for budding theatre technicians during 2007. It will pave the way for the introduction of the full Creative Apprenticeship in 2008. Apprentices will eventually be able to acquire valuable qualifications and experience in a number of disciplines including music business skills, cultural venue administration, community arts and education and creative business finance as well as technical skills. “Our research tells us that our industries - advertising, cultural heritage, design, music and the arts- together provide around 19,000 jobs in Wales, said Tom Bewick, chief executive of Creative & Cultural Skills. “Culture, creativity and performing talent are becoming a real driving force in the Welsh creative economy. But if the economic benefits of the creative and cultural scene are to be maximised, then it must have the people with the right skills.” The “Access all Areas” event is also an important opportunity for local employers to influence the content of the Creative Blueprint, the first Sector Skills Agreement for Advertising, Craft, Cultural Heritage, Design, Music and the Arts. The action plan will direct the long term supply of all publicly funded education and training for the UK’s creative and cultural industries. The event is also a chance to hear more about the wide range of skills and training opportunities being provided by Creative & Cultural Skills and its partners. These include the £12 million Cultural Leadership Programme and the forthcoming Creative Knowledge Lab careers advice and guidance service. Events are being staged in every region of England, as well as Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Tom Bewick added: “We’re calling our tour Access all Areas because, as an industry-led body, we want to provide an open door to everyone with an interest in skills and training in a sector that employs well over half a million people across the UK.” Access All Areas events are taking place on: <sum> 6 March - Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff <sum> 13 March – Waterfront Hall, Belfast <sum> 21 March - Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh <sum> 27 March - Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds <sum> 29 March - Rich Mix, London To book a place email events@ccskills.org.uk or visit www.ccskills.org.uk for further information. |
| Creative and Cultural Skills web site: www.ccskills.org.uk |
| e-mail: events@ccskills.org.uk |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 |
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