West Midlands youngsters can take advantage of a unique and free development programme to grow their employability skills and provide at least 90 hours targeted work experience within some of the city's top creative organisations.
‘Foot in the Door’ has 60 places available for young creative types aged 16-23 and no qualifications or experience are necessary - just an open mind and a willingness to get stuck in.
Applications are especially encouraged from those from a diverse background, whose perceptions may have led them to believe they couldn’t even contemplate a career in the creative sector.
This exciting new scheme is being run by Custard Factory-based Creative Alliance (the leading training provider within the creative and cultural sector in the Midlands) in partnership with 10 organisations keen to help future industry talent get a foot in the door of the city's burgeoning creative and cultural sector – Bareface, Beatfreeks, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Blue Whale Training, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, DanceXchange, Desi Blitz, mac Birmingham and The Old Rep.
Noel Dunne, Creative Alliance Director, explains: “Foot in the Door is structured around a series of bespoke training courses, specifically designed and delivered by the 10 partner organisations and focusing on the skills that employers in this sector require. Together we’re looking to build a legacy and help future-proof Birmingham’s young creative sector.
It’s not a fast track to performance success and becoming famous, however, rather about gaining insight and access to the myriad of other industry roles in front of house, backstage, technical, event management, design, production, marketing, administration, plus learning and participation, etc.
Project Coordinator Jodie Mason (a recent beneficiary of a similar scheme) adds: “The only cost to the lucky 60 is their time and commitment and in return Foot in the Door will open their eyes to the vast range of creative organisations available and the variety of quality roles they might not have been aware of.
There’s a lot of untapped creative potential out there and disadvantaged youngsters who think this sector just isn’t a viable option, but I know otherwise so why not give it a go?”
Creative Alliance will be undertaking a series of outreach sessions and targeting schools, colleges, youth groups and job centres, alongside ongoing social media campaigns using young creative industry ambassadors who have recently managed to get their foot in the door for that crucial first break.
A series of 90-minute briefing sessions will commence on April 27 and 28 and conclude on May 4 and 5, with at least two of the partner organisations presenting at each one. The final deadline for applications is May 15 and the lucky 60 will then attend a launch event in early June where they will meet all the partner organisations and declare their favourite three to work with. The actual skills courses commence end June to December ’17.
For Foot in the Door application details visit http://creativealliance.org.uk/fitdbrum/ where you can ‘nominate a mate’ too.
