Stockton Council is calling for applications for a range of employment and training opportunities in the arts and creative industries for young people aged 16 to 24 years old.
Twelve new apprenticeships and nine new internships – including five placements for budding entrepreneurs who want to start a new business – have been created in a range of theatrical, musical, creative and heritage organisations.
The opportunities have been created as part of a successful bid which has secured over £45,000 from the Creative Employment Programme, an England-wide £15million grant fund delivered by Creative & Cultural Skills using lottery funding from Arts Council England.
Councillor Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport at Stockton Council, said: “We know Stockton is bursting with young people who have great talent and creativity; we want to support them in every way we can to fulfil their potential and secure a vibrant future in the Borough.”
“This is a brilliant opportunity if you are a young person aged 16 to 24 years and looking for your first step into the highly competitive but incredibly exciting arts and creative industries – please get in touch!”
The twelve apprenticeships opportunities include box office/front of house, creative development, technical and production areas, finance and administration, carnival events support, maintenance and joinery, historic and heritage gardening, live events and promotion and junior designer and technician roles.
Organisations providing the apprenticeships and internships include ARC, Preston Hall Museum and Grounds, Stockton Arts Centre, Tees Music Alliance, Billingham Environmental Link Project, West Row Arts, Stockton Arts Development, Stockton Riverside College and Stockton Borough Council Events Team.
Nine internships will also be available including five new business creative internships for young entrepreneurs who want to start an arts or creative enterprise.
The new business creative internships will provide a bursary, space to develop their arts practice, training and advice, involvement in creative community projects, as well as mentoring and networking with the Council’s Creative Partner, Mike McGrother, frontman of the successful Teesside band, ‘Wildcats of Kilkenny’ and creative entrepreneur and coach.
Mike McGrother, Creative Partner, said: “The arts and creative industries offer so much – it’s important that young people have the opportunity to explore their talent and abilities whilst getting valuable experience in the day-to-day business of making things happen!
“The internships are a unique opportunity to work with a range of arts and creative professionals to learn about the industry.
“It’s also very exciting that we have the opportunity to help develop five new businesses from scratch – giving talented individuals the chance to build an exciting future for themselves in this growing sector.”
Sara Whybrew, Director of the Creative Employment Programme, Creative & Cultural Skills said: “We’re really pleased to be able to fund consortium applications: it’s wonderful to see arts organisations working in partnership to support so many young people into employment through city-wide bids such as the one received from Stockton Borough Council. We hope that this approach will encourage other Local Authorities across England to follow suit.”
To be eligible for an apprenticeship, young people should be aged from 16 to 24 years old and currently not in employment.
To be eligible for a creative internship or a new business internship, young people should be aged from 18 to 24 years old and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance or equivalent unemployment related benefits.
If you are interested in finding out more or wish to express an interest, please contact:
- Cath Baggott, Employability Co-ordinator, Stockton Borough Council on 01642 527563 or email cath.baggott@stockton.gov.uk
- Or Roland Todd, Principal Project Officer (Employment) on 01642 526184 email roland.todd@stockton.gov.uk
