Manchester International Festival (MIF) has announced a new skills and training programme to help young unemployed people in the city region.
Factory Futures is part of MIF’s The Factory Academy, which launched in 2018 with the aim to diversify the workforce in the creative industries.
The Factory Academy is backed by a host of creative organisations in Manchester, including HOME, Manchester Art Gallery and the Royal Exchange Theatre, under the Greater Manchester Cultural Skills Consortium.
The new programme is a response to Covid-19 and the impact it has on youth unemployment and is designed to align with the government’s Kickstarter scheme.
MIF said 1,400 young people - aged 19-25 - either unemployed or on universal credit will take part in pre-employment training programmes over the next five years, while “thousands more” will have learning and engagement opportunities such as workshops and open days.
Jocelyne Underwood, skills and training director at MIF, said it is “vitally important” the creative sector invests in future talent.
“We’re working together with organisations across the region and beyond to develop a wide range of employer led training, learning and skills development opportunities in order to open the sector up to the widest pool of talent, regardless of their background and education.
“With The Factory Academy we also want to equip young people with skills that will be useful as the economy recovers.”
MIF said there will be opportunities for 140 young people this year, which will start with a two-week creative training academy in October, providing digital skills, insights and guidance from industry experts.
Coun Luthfur Rahman, executive member for culture, leisure and skills at Manchester City Council, added: “Our young people are key to the ambitions we have for Manchester and also for its recovery from this pandemic.
“It’s vital that we invest in them not only to give them the best chance of success and fulfilment in their own lives, but also to help shape and secure the future success of the city.”
The announcement comes as work progresses on The Factory, a cultural space in the centre of Manchester led by Manchester City Council in partnership with Manchester International Festival (MIF).
