By Nick Sheridan

This Wales-based apprenticeship is a brand new way for anybody 16 and up to find their way into the exciting world of the Creative Media. Roles are available in a range of areas within creative media including Production, Interactive Media, Camerawork, Editing for Sound and Video, Interactive Multi-Media, Web Authoring, Animation and Digital Content.

An initial group of twenty successful applicants will be matched up with an employer in their area of interest to take part in the 11 month programme which will lead to a Level 3 Certificate in Creative and Digital Media.

The Apprenticeship, which begins in January 2011, will allow the apprentices to earn a basic wage while combining working in the industry with training at Coleg Glan Hafren Cardiff. By the end of the programme the apprentice will have learned the technical and creative knowledge and skills needed to build a career in line with the needs of their employer.

Skillset Cymru Director, Gwawr Hughes, said: “This Skillset Apprenticeship is an exciting and innovative new way for young people to enter the Creative Media Industries. Not only will these apprentices be learning the most relevant and up-to-date skills in their chosen roles, they will also be assisting in the growth of businesses, forging valuable networks within the industry, and earning a wage while they do it.”

As this programme is in its early stages, there are still limited opportunities for employers to register their interest in joining the programme to benefit from having their own apprentices.

The Apprenticeship is part of a project which is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government's Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) programme that also receives additional support from the European Social Fund.

The deadline for applications is 12 noon, Friday 5 November. For further information, please visit www.skillset.org/walesapprenticeship, or contact Faye Hannah, Skillset Apprenticeship Coordinator on 02920 452828 or fayeh@skillset.org.

About the author and Skillset

Nick Sheridan is press and PR Officer at Skillset, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media, with responsibility for 60 per cent of the UK Creative Industries. This comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging, publishing, advertising and fashion and textiles. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenges by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.