Social enterprise SharpFutures and not-for-profit organisation The Andy Taylor Foundation have launched a new talent development programme for young people in Greater Manchester.
‘Foot In The Door 2022’ provides an opportunity for young people to develop their skills before going on a work placement with a number of North West creative businesses including LADbible Group, Lime Pictures, Studio Lambert North and ITV Studios.
The Andy Taylor Foundation launched in partnership with Little Dot Studios in a bid to improve social mobility within digital media. Andy Taylor, who co-founded Little Dot Studios, had set out to launch the charitable foundation prior to his death in 2020 following a brain tumour.
The 12-week paid training and work placement programme is open to 18-24 year olds from Greater Manchester interested in making content that may not have any experience.
The first six weeks of the course will be run by SharpFutures and held in person at The Sharp Project, Manchester’s creative digital hub.
The course will cover skills including production techniques, digital storytelling, how to come up with ideas and pitching them alongside learning about communication and teamwork.
Following the first six weeks of training, participants will be able to spend a further six weeks on a work placement from a number of the North West supporting partners.
At the end of the programme, participants will take part in a graduation event to showcase the content created over the duration of the course and will be interviewed to join SharpFutures People on Demand (SharpFutures POD).
Andy’s wife, Lara, explained: “Little Dot Studios created many roles for young people starting their careers and Andy wanted to help build similar opportunities elsewhere too. As his brain tumour progressed, he tasked us with implementing that ambition for him, which we are aiming to do through the foundation we have established in his name. We couldn’t be more proud or committed.”
Lee Stanley, SharpFutures CEO, added: “We are looking forward to be working with the Andy Taylor Foundation and the partners on this course. It’s an amazing opportunity for young people in Greater Manchester to learn from some of the most exciting creative digital businesses in the North West and develop some really important skills to give their careers a boast.
The deadline for applications is on Monday 14th March at 5pm via the SharpFutures website.
