15th July 2010. Cardiff.

Creative & Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries, has today launched an exciting new programme at the Wales Millennium Centre to provide over 50 Apprenticeship places in the sector, thanks to a significant government investment of over £500,000. Funding has been made available through the European Social Fund (ESF) via the Sector Priority Funding Pilot (SPFP).

Creative sector employers across Wales are backing Creative Apprenticeships, which have been developed in close partnership with industry. Positions with top arts organisations already confirmed include The Welsh National Opera, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Circuit Theatres, Theatr Clwyd, Galeri and the Wales Millennium Centre. The first Apprentices will start in September 2010 and will predominantly target 18-25 year olds.

The new Apprentices will be paid a wage while gaining valuable experience on the job, as well as attending college or a training centre. The Apprentices will have a nationally recognised qualification and transferable skills. Jobs on offer will vary from backstage to front of house roles.

Commenting on the announcement Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, said:

'I welcome this news which will provide an extremely important opportunity for people wishing to pursue careers in the diverse and rapidly expanding creative and cultural sector. This is the first time Creative Apprenticeships will be delivered in Wales and will offer young people a clear and accessible route into real, sustainable, creative and cultural jobs and underlines the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to the sector and skills development.'

The launch of Creative Apprenticeships in Wales comes swiftly after the July publication of the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Economic Renewal: A New Direction’, in which the creative industries are one of six sectors to be singled out as being crucial in enabling Wales to gain competitive edge and benefit from growing markets, both domestically and internationally.

Simon Dancey, Wales Director, Creative & Cultural Skills said:

'This is a defining moment for the creative and cultural sectors in Wales. Creative Apprenticeships have been devised by the sector, for the sector, and will help people from diverse backgrounds break into the creative industries. This demonstrates that employers and practitioners can come together with government and education to deliver a world-class creative workforce.'

The Welsh National Opera will be working in partnership with the Wales Millennium Centre to offer Apprenticeships. Jan Michaelis, Technical Director, Welsh National Opera said:

'It is essential to develop a new generation of highly skilled theatre workers and Creative Apprenticeships provide a fresh and fair way of training people for long and successful careers in the industry. By offering a programme in our state-of-the-art performance venue, we will provide our Apprentices with the skills and training they need for a career in the industry.'

Martin Hunt, Technical Director, Wales Millennium Centre added:

'Our Creative Apprentices will have the opportunity work and train with our largely home-grown technical crew, which is recognised as one of the best – if not the best – in the UK. We’re committed to developing world-class people in the industry and Creative Apprenticeships will help ensure we have the skilled workforce that we need to remain competitive.'

Theatr Genedlaethol will be offering Apprenticeships in Technical Theatre: Rigging Lighting and Sound. General Manager, Mai Jones commented:

'There have been skills shortages in the theatre industry in Wales for many years, especially in Welsh language theatres. We’re excited to be involved in Creative Apprenticeships and feel they are an excellent way to tackle skills shortages in the industry.'

Wales has a creative workforce of 19,000, which is 4% of the UK workforce and by 2014, the industry is expected to grow by 5,000 jobs. Research from Creative & Cultural Skills has revealed that 33% of the workforce requires higher skills, yet only 36% of creative companies arrange training.

The Creative Apprenticeships Wales event was launched to representatives from across Wales’ diverse creative industries and held at the Wales Millennium Centre on Thursday 15th July 2010.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact Jessica Hope, Senior PR Advisor at Creative & Cultural Skills – Jessica.hope@ccskills.org.uk / 0207 015 1819 / 07894 566 940

Notes to editors:

Creative & Cultural Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries. Our remit includes craft, cultural heritage, design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts across the UK. Creative & Cultural Skills was granted a new licence to operate in January 2010.

Creative & Cultural Skills is a member of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils. Together we oversee the strategic development of the workforce in our industries and deliver realistic solutions to skills needs.

www.ccskills.org.uk

The Welsh Assembly Government aims to ensure the development of 21st century Wales as a self-confident, prosperous nation, committed to social justice and sustainability.
Accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, it offers a progressive agenda for improving quality of life for all communities, including measures to support the Welsh language.
The Assembly Government makes the best use of available powers and resources, and supports enhancement of the responsibilities of the National Assembly and positive reform of its funding formula

www.wales.gov.uk