Northern apprenticeship agency launches to ‘Power Up’ creative skills

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) has secured funding to launch a new apprenticeship agency to address skills gaps in the region’s creative industries.

The new ‘Power Up Agency’ aims to start 50 apprenticeships in its first year, and is being launched as part of a pilot programme in the North East, North West and Yorkshire regions. The flexibility of the agency model means that creative project apprentices will move to different employers to develop their skills and complete their apprenticeship.

Project Director, Joss Underwood, said:

“Our vision for this project is to recruit, train and develop diverse talent and drive opportunities for greater representation from entry level roles through to leadership, ensuring that apprentices and employers are supported throughout.”

During their time on the programme, apprentices will work on creative projects with partner organisations and learn about project management, budgeting and finance, stakeholder management and planning, setting them up for future success and a career within the industry.

Partners already supporting the project include Factory International, Leeds Grand Futures and Sage Gateshead.

Gary Briggs, Head of Skills and Training at Factory International said:

“Power Up’s vision aligns beautifully with our organisation’s values. This programme will create even more opportunities for creative and cultural organisations to connect and collaborate across the region, and most importantly supporting employers to open-up pathways into this sector for young people in the north.”

Apprentices who are successfully recruited onto the programme will benefit from Greater Manchester Chamber’s large network of creative employers who will provide training placements and will deliver specialist masterclasses to enhance the apprentice experience.

Reet Dhallu, Head of Membership & Commercial at GMCC, said:

“We are very much looking forward to supporting the industry with this important step change to embed apprenticeships and can bring all our knowledge and network into the project to ensure the best experience for all involved.”

The funding, secured from Arts Council England, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, will help the agency deliver a successful pilot to create new apprenticeships for the creative and cultural sectors where traditionally, recruiters have relied upon degrees.

Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez said:

“The cultural and creative sectors are some of the major success stories in the UK economy and there are so many fantastic job opportunities being created right across the country.

“The scheme, which has been supported with £100,000 of Government funding, will equip people from underrepresented backgrounds across the north of England with the skills they need to pursue fulfilling creative careers.”

Jane Tarr, Director North and Skills & Workforces at Arts Council England, said:

“Apprenticeships are a brilliant way to help diverse talent to progress and I’m delighted that we are funding this project to support creative and cultural organisations to invest in their workforce in this way.”

Creative employers in each region can find out more about the Power Up Agency online with Sage Gateshead in December and at the Manchester launch event on 1st December.