Elektronika, producers of Dumfries’ Big Burns Supper, are to give 12 young people from the region a paid six-month traineeship.
Part of their Producers of the Future Programme, it is being hailed by the BBS team as “the biggest creative industries training initiative ever to run in the south of Scotland”.
The traineeship will involve online learning and will cover creativity, festival management and community place-making and is seen as a way to kick-start careers.
The roles are open to 16 to 24-years-olds who will work 25 hours per week for six months, on the three areas with 40 different practitioners who will “mentor and cultivate the energy of the next generation of producers and artists”.
Executive producer of BBS Graham Main said: “You don’t need much experience to take part other than a burning passion for creativity and your place in the world.
“We’re interested in the voices of young people and their sense of uniqueness.”
These posts will be based in Elektronika’s Community Hub which is opening in the Loreburn Centre, once current restrictions are lifted.
The new roles are expected to start in April and there will also be travel expenses provided to help people reach Dumfries.
Any young people wanting to be included in the selection process should see http://bigburnssupper.com/trainee-producers and apply by email to: programming@bigburnssupper.com before 5pm on Friday, March 26.
Graham said the Producers of the Future is part of a long-term creative skills development programme that has been running since 2011.
During that time, the organisation has worked with more than 7,000 young people from across Dumfries and Galloway.
Training roles have already been held by 87 young people who worked behind the scenes in production, marketing, community arts, directing, community music, youth theatre and project management for Elektronica and BBS.
Among those who have gone on to further work is 26-year-old Jack Finlay from Kirkcudbright who completed the programme in 2014 and is now working in the TV and Film Industry, currently with Channel 4’s soap, Hollyoaks.
Encouraging young people to apply for the traineeship, Jack said: “The role is so varied, it’s allowed me to jump into many different industries. I’m now working in TV and film.
“Managers often comment on the comprehensive training that I’ve received. This gives me a great advantage over other young people in a competitive industry that relies on experienced people.”
Dario Pagani, aged 28, from Annan, took part in the programme in 2015 and now works as a marketing consultant.
He said: “My placement was awesome. The team were so devoted to putting on a fantastic show for our community and that passion is infectious.
“On a professional level, it gave me confidence and skills that I still use every single day. It doesn’t matter whether you want to be a nurse, lawyer, plumber or have no idea – this experience will put you ahead of the game. Go for it.”
Another former trainee is 24-year-old Dillon Colthart from Dumfries.
He took part in the programme in 2014 and is now studying towards his Masters in Screenwriting by day and performing in drag as Devine Tension by night when not in lockdown.
Dillon said: “The organisation played a significant role in my creative arts training and their support allowed me to go on to train at undergrad, entrepreneurial and, most recently, postgrad level.
“They push those hungry to engage with the creative industries towards their creative goals.”
She said: “It allowed us to work together with industry professionals and other young practitioners and the experience is something I fondly remember to this day as incredibly formative.”
