THE brightest young creative minds from across Wales are being given a chance to boost their skills and employment prospects through a new development scheme.
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The Wales Creative Industries Academy launched at the University of South Wales (USW) Cardiff Campus this earlier week.
The collaboration will see USW working with further education colleges across Wales to provide creative challenges that stretch high achievers, raise their aspirations, and develop leadership potential.
During the launch, the first cohort of students learned about creative talent from Robin Moore, the Head of Innovation at BBC Wales, and visiting Professor at USW’s Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI), which is based at its Cardiff Campus.
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The first day also included a tour of the campus facilities, meetings with the FCI academic staff, and the students’ first ‘creative challenge’.
“The recent growth of the creative industries in Wales is an incredible story of success, but for that to be sustainable we need to identify and support the most creatively able and hard-working students with the opportunities that will help them to drive the industry forward,” said Mark Jackson, Director of Design and Digital at USW.
“This Academy is about identifying and supporting young people to recognise that their creative talent has the potential to develop into fantastic careers right here in Wales.”
Robin Moore added: “It is fantastic to be involved in the Creative Academy, supporting Wales’ next generation of creative talent.
“The Creative Industries are changing at an unprecedented rate and we need to give these young people the skills and ambition that they’ll need to reach their potential, and help drive forward one of Wales’ fastest growing business sectors.”
The Wales Creative Industries Academy will provide unique learning opportunities for the young people involved. Each cohort of students will spend one year on the programme in order to complete an additional qualification.
The Academy will also include a residential course in Cardiff in July, during which the students have been invited to meet with senior staff from Bad Wolf studios, BBC Wales, Orchard, and Box UK. The curriculum content will be delivered in each of the FE colleges, and supported by academic staff at USW.
“We know that The Creative Industries need talent in all subject disciplines, and this initiative will provide the opportunity for students to explore creative subject areas that often lie outside their main curriculum,” Mark added.
