The North East’s most iconic art house cinema has created a new apprenticeship to develop talent within the region’s fastest growing sector.
Tyneside Cinema has invested in skills by launching a creative and digital apprenticeship scheme as regional demand rises for professionals in the technology, creative and digital sector, which is estimated to be worth £1.1bn to the local economy by 2020.
Gateshead College has teamed up with the cinema to develop and deliver the course, which now has its first apprentice, Ryan Peebles.
Ryan, 22, from Durham said: “My apprenticeship has really opened doors for me as it has built my confidence and given me the real life work experience I need to take my first step on the career ladder.
“I have been given roles and responsibilities like I would in a full time job, but I am also developing my knowledge and gaining some great support through Gateshead College.”
Ryan started the 18 month course, which includes roles to develop his digital skills in production and film editing as well as creative tasks such as teaching filmmaking sessions at the Tyneside Cinema Pop Up Film School. The apprenticeship comprises four days of employment at Tyneside Cinema and one classroom day a week at Gateshead College’s Baltic Campus.
Helen Moore, learning and participation manager at Tyneside Cinema said: “We are working with Gateshead College to ensure the future of digital and creative careers in the North East. We want to support the growth of the sector as well as train potential employees with the best knowledge and skills.
“Ryan has been an asset to the team and his enthusiasm and willingness to get involved is exceptional. We would definitely recommend apprenticeships with Gateshead College to other local businesses, it’s a great opportunity for both the individual and for the company.”
The partnership is an example of how the college is responding to the skills needs of regional businesses, providing bespoke courses to ensure that apprentices are work-ready and able to hit the ground running.
Ivan Jepson, director of business development at Gateshead College said: “Our region’s creative and digital sector is one of the strongest in the UK and an important driver of job creation and inward investment for the North East. It’s vital that we have a workforce with the right skills to give our local businesses a competitive edge and encourage continued growth of the sector.”
“Working with Tyneside Cinema is the first step on a route to provide a range of apprenticeships which build new skills to ensure our apprentices have the employment edge and that they are work ready for careers within the creative and digital industry.”
Gateshead College has designed the advanced apprenticeship in creative and digital media to provide the next generation of digital experts with a new set of skills outlined by creative industry employers, including a fusion of creativity, technology and business. Ranging from production and editing, to animation, camerawork, radio and photo imaging, the advanced apprenticeship delivers the skills required by employers to compete and progress in a digital world.