Vocational training

To keep you one step ahead along your training and career path you need to know that the skills you are learning are industry-relevant. Likewise, the people in the industry are on the look-out for newcomers with practical knowledge and skills that can get them started from day one.

The creative industries include the performing arts sector which covers theatre, musical theatre, dance, opera, puppetry, mime, carnival, street and circus arts as well as all the support functions and roles which bring these artforms to the fore. The sector is highly diverse and includes everything from large commercial companies to small and even smaller micro-firm groups who may be dependent on both public and private financial support. Whatever the size or nature of an employer or organisation though, all will be keen to attract the right people with the right skills.

There are many advantages of vocational education and training, including:

it's a potential 'foot in the door' with industry

you get real experience for your career development

it allows you to specialise from a young age

you can learn a trade that will never die!

it's inclusive so it doesn't matter what level you are at

it can lead to employment

if you are selected for a specialist vocational training, then certain accredited courses are industry endorsed as the mark of excellence.

There are also other advantages, which can have a positive effect on the quality of the training you receive, including:

in most cases training providers employ working industry professionals who can guide students with the most up-to-date industry practice

learning today is relevant to your career tomorrow.

For the employers themselves these schemes help when choosing suitable candidates, as they know that:

young people entering employment have had practical training which is not entirely theory based. So they have a working knowledge prior to entering a work environment

the employer can have confidence in the standard of training that you have received as well as the standard to which you have been assessed

especially in the performing arts, the vocationally trained performer and/or technician/craftsperson is currently the preferred route to employment

retention and achievement of students is good due to the industry engagement and on the job training

the schemes form good relations with education which can help shape qualifications.

Young Apprenticeship programme

The Young Apprenticeship (YA) programme is for 14-16 year-olds - it is not an entitlement but an initiative that schools can choose to be a part of. It is for young people with a clear talent and keen interest in performing arts and art and design who wish to gain an additional qualification in the subject and some industry experience (50 days over 2 years). It enables you to specialise at a young age and is a good foundation for moving on to further vocational education such as a Modern Apprenticeship or NVQ course, as well as non-vocational courses.

Creative Apprenticeship programme

This programme is a progression route for YAs and also an alternative education route for those aged 16 or over. The apprenticeship allows people of all ages to specialise, re-train and gain invaluable industry-relevant experience in order to become employable within job roles where there are recognised skills gaps. It also allows the apprentice to learn key business skills needed for the creative sector and is aimed at those who want on-the-job training whilst earning a wage. The apprenticeship will have core business units delivered by a college or training provider and then specialist pathways delivered by the employer - focusing on a particular career path.

The career paths open to apprentices are determined by the specialism they choose to focus on, such as theatre technician, curator, graphic designer, digital advertising, ceramicist, etc. The apprenticeship will allow the apprentice to choose up to two specialisms, as many sectors have overlapping skills.

Equal opportunities

The apprenticeship scheme is all about diversifying the workforce, opening doors to industry to employ people through other routes. Equal opportunities for the apprenticeship are monitored by Creative & Cultural Skills and the colleges/training providers. Employers from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are actively sought to provide placements and become role models/mentors. There is also a commitment to working with employers to ensure that apprenticeships also embrace accessibility as a cornerstone of practice for the scheme.

How to get involved

The Creative Apprenticeship will be run through local training providers and colleges from September 2007, with a smaller pilot scheme running from September 2006. Access to the 2007 qualification will be through Creative & Cultural Skills' website, the colleges application systems and job centres.

For more information contact:

Creative & Cultural Skills
11 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RQ
Tel: 0207 089 5866
Email: info@ccskills.org.uk
Web: www.ccskills.org.uk