Unleashing the talent!
Taking the young talent of this nation and turning it into what we know will be the economic engine of this nation is the most important obligation we've got.
— Roy Clare CBE, Chief Executive, Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA)
For too many talented young people, getting a start in the creative and cultural industries is not an option.
Part of the problem lies in the qualifications that are designed for these careers. The rising cost of degree courses means that the decision to study cannot be taken lightly. Especially when 73% of our employers say that graduates still lack the right skills or creative and entrepreneurial flair.
A culture of unpaid work experience dominates the creative and cultural industries. For employers, someone with relevant on-the-job experience is more valuable than an untested graduate. This discriminates against those who cannot afford to work for free and the impact is significant. Demographically, the sector is 95% white and 65% male. Here at Creative & Cultural Skills we are actively challenging this complacency and creating better choices for more people.
The Creative Apprenticeships is a brand new alternative route into the creative industries, one based on ability and potential rather than academic track record or social background and contacts.
It is a mix of on the job and off the job training where young people have the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge and attain qualifications while doing so. These qualifications are designed and approved by industry. On-the-job learning is a significant component of the Creative Apprenticeship allowing young people to break the vicious circle of "no experience equals no job".
The Creative Apprenticeship consists of a vocational qualification at level 2 or 3 and a theory based qualification at level 2 or 3. Key skills in Maths and English are embedded within the Creative Apprenticeship so apprentices can achieve Key skills certificates.
Creative Apprenticeship pathways (leading to the achievement of the vocational qualification) will be offered in the following areas:
- Live Events & Promotion
- Music Business (Recording Industry)
- Technical Theatre (Rigging, Lighting & Sound)
- Costume & Wardrobe
- Cultural and Heritage Venue Operations
- Community Arts Management
Launched officially in September 2008, the Creative Apprenticeships is the first industry approved and government funded apprenticeship framework for the creative and cultural industries.
What others have to say
The Creative Industries are practical industries. I think they are very much about practical skills, talking to people, communicating and networking. This can only really be done face to face, it can't be learned, so I think it is really important that the creative industries have Creative Apprenticeships.
— Sharon Durant, Sage Gateshead
Theatre needs to reflect the full diversity of our audience if it is to survive and Creative Apprenticeships can be a very effective way of broadening the workforce. Employers also have the opportunity to influence their training significantly, ensuring it is focused, up-to-date and fit for purpose.
— Hilary Strong, Director, National Council for Drama Training
It's simple. To look after the heritage of this country we need people with the right specialist skills. Apprenticeships are key to developing and maintaining these needs. We need new apprenticeships, and we need them now.
— Paul Boniface, Director of HR and Legal Services, National Trust
Our economy will not grow and will not survive unless we get to that half a million target of apprentices in this country.
— David Lammy, ex Minister for Skills now Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property
Proven in the real world
The first phase in the development of the Creative Apprenticeship was prototyping the notion of an Apprenticeship. We teamed up with a small number of employers (such as Sage Gateshead, UK Unsigned, National Trust, Eastside Records, Primal Spark, Institute of Field Archaeologists, EMI and Universal) and explored how a combination of paid work experience and studying for qualifications could work in the Creative Industries.
We then took it a step further working with employers to develop brand new qualifications to sit within the Creative Apprenticeship. A small number of employers and education providers agreed to pilot these qualifications prior to the official launch in September 2008, these pilots were launched by David Lammy, Minister for Skills early in 2008.