Creative Apprenticeship
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 is discriminating 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 new and alternative route into the creative industries. One based on ability and potential rather than academic track record or social background and contacts.
Young people have the opportunity to learn valuable skills and earn a qualification, GCSE or A-level equivalent, 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".
Specialist pathways will be offered in the following areas:
- Live Events & Promotion
- Music Business (Recording Industry)
- Technical Theatre (Rigging, Lighting & Sound)
- Costume & Wardrobe
- Cultural Venue Operations
- Community Arts
Launching in September 2008, the Creative Apprenticeships will be the first officially recognised apprenticeship framework for the creative and cultural industries.
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 apprenticeships.
— Sharon Durant, Sage Gateshead
Theatre needs to reflect the full diversity of our audience if it is to survive and 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, Executive Director, Greenwich Theatre
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
Proven in the real world
EMI, Universal, Sage Gateshead, National Trust, Institute of Field Archaeologists: these are just some of the employers that have been helping us to road test the Creative Apprenticeship..
A successful trial run was completed in Summer, 2007 and David Lammy, Minister for Skills, has launched the second round of pilots.
These will test qualifications that we have developed specifically for the Creative Apprenticeship framework. The Museums, Archives & Libraries Association have pledged to sign up nine apprentices spread across the regions.
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, Minister for S-kills