New support for young people to gain vocational qualifications and to work in the arts and creative industries

80 paid graduate internships and up to 23 Modern Apprenticeships to take place thanks to new Youth Employment Programme

Young entrepreneurs also supported

New opportunities for young people in Scotland to gain professional paid experience and vocational qualifications in the arts, cultural and creative industries are being supported by Creative Scotland through a new Youth Employment Programme.

In partnership with The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Scottish Government, 80 three month long paid internships for graduates aged 24 and under have been created as part of the Programme.

Graduates from creative industries and cultural courses who are based in Scotland will carry out the internships with organisations in these sectors.

In turn, companies will be offered almost £3,000 towards the cost of each creative intern.

For more information please visit: www.scvo.org.uk/creativeinterns

As part of the Youth Employment Programme, up to 23, year-long, paid Modern Apprenticeships with arts organisations aimed at young people aged 16 to 20 will also be created in a separate partnership with Young Scot, Creative & Cultural Skills Scotland and Creative Skillset.

Young people taking part in the Modern Apprenticeships will study for vocational qualifications while gaining professional experience working for an arts organisation. Creative Scotland will offer employers up to £8,000 towards the salary of each apprentice, enabling organisations to provide positions.

For more information visit www.youngscot.net

A new partnership with The Prince’s Trust Scotland also taking place as part of Creative Scotland’s Youth Employment Programme will offer much needed support to young entrepreneurs in Scotland who are keen to start businesses within the creative industries. Supported by funding from Creative Scotland, The Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland programme will over the next three years provide up to 50 young people with the help they need to get their businesses off the ground – including access to finance, training and professional business mentoring support. Every year, Youth Business Scotland discusses business ideas with over 3,000 young people and, in recent years, an average of 600 young businesses per annum have been supported.

For more information visit http://www.psybt.org.uk

Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland said: “These programmes mark a significant step forwards for the ways in which young people in Scotland will be supported to begin a career in the arts and creative industries.

“I look forward to organisations across Scotland taking up this opportunity to assist young people at different stages in their lives to get into and get on in the creative industries.”

Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to improving the employment prospects of all of Scotland’s young people. Last year saw the introduction of Opportunities for All, a unique guarantee of an offer of a place in education or training for all 16 to 19 year olds, not already in education or training, and a new £15 million Employer Recruitment Incentive will launch shortly.

“However, it is important that the public sector sets an example to others, as we call upon employers to make young people their business. I am very pleased to see Creative Scotland is responding with this new programme to provide paid graduate internships and modern apprenticeships for young Scots and I would urge those with creative aspirations to embrace this fantastic opportunity.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said:

“This project will give more than a hundred and fifty young people a valuable opportunity to develop their skills and experience and to make a worthwhile contribution to Scotland’s rich creative culture.

“This is entirely in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to increasing learning through the arts and culture, and unlocking the potential of our young people to help them be innovative, resourceful, confident, responsible and able to succeed in the global economy.

“I look forward to celebrating the achievements of participants on this inaugural scheme in years to come.”

Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive, Young Scot said:

“At Young Scot, we know that Scotland’s young people have a range of digital creative skills, which would add value to the success of any organisation. Young Scot is fully committed to supporting young people into employment and are delighted to be working with Creative Scotland to give young, emerging, creative talent, the opportunity to gain new skills and relevant experience, to help them progress successfully in a working environment.”

Martin Sime, Chief Executive, SCVO said:

“This really is a win-win for young people wishing to work in a creative role and for the charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises that make up Scotland’s third sector. For young people facing a remarkably tough job market, the initiative will provide practical on the job training and that all-important first break in a very competitive industry. For the third sector, it will mean a welcome injection of fresh talent and creative minds at a time when many organisations face record high demand for services. Other SCVO internship programmes have been very successful for all involved and we look forward to seeing more impressive results from the Creative Industries Graduate Internship initiative.”

Norah Campbell, Scotland Manager of Creative & Cultural Skills Scotland said:

‘We are delighted to work with Creative Scotland to enable employers to take on Creative Apprentices. Young people, employers and the sector all gain from for the experience. We want the creative and cultural sector to grow in Scotland and we believe skills and talent are key drivers of productivity. By making the most of people through training opportunities such as Creative Apprenticeships, creative businesses can do more.’

Alasdair Smith, Scotland Director of Creative Skillset said:

“I’m delighted to see these valuable opportunities for young people to gain their Creative Skillset Modern Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media. This support will help ambitious young people get that all important first role in a highly competitive jobs market.”

Source: Creative Scotland