Latest news: New creative apprenticeships

Creative & Cultural Skills has published an independent evaluation of the Creative Apprenticeships programme, which has seen over 900 young people employed since 2008. 10/10/2011

The report details return on investment from the programme, providing strong evidence of the impact that the apprentices have on the industry. It is hoped that the 2010 apprentices will bring a net gain of £2.4million to the UK economy over the next decade.

It has been conducted by non-profit sector consultants Baker Tilly and employer engagement experts the Education & Employers Taskforce. This particular scheme was introduced in 2008 and has since been delivered in England, Scotland and Wales.

‘Employers are now seeing the real economic benefits of apprenticeships. Young people who have completed apprenticeships are ahead of the game when it comes to developing a wider skill set, formal workplace training and an understanding of business,’ says Pauline Tambling, joint chief executive of Creative & Cultural Skills.

‘With youth unemployment and tuition fees both at a high, the future development of new apprenticeship frameworks, including at Levels 4 and above, is likely to play a significant role in the success of the creative and cultural industries in the UK,’ added Pauline.

The research went further and suggested that of the employers who had a creative apprentice, 78% felt that employees who completed the apprenticeship had developed better and more appropriate skills and were more prepared for the work place as a result.