4Talent Hits the Road

24 May 2012

Channel 4 today announces that it will be taking its acclaimed new talent scheme 4Talent on the road and holding six 4Talent Days in areas of high youth unemployment, around the UK.

Derry-Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, will play host to the first open day on May 30th 2012 and future locations will include Barnsley, Cardiff, Penzance, Dundee and London.

Working closely with the local creative industry in each city, the 4Talent Days will offer young people aged 16 to 25, who are keen to learn about working in the creative industry, the opportunity to network with local creative businesses, with the possibility of gaining work experience placements.

Local industry experts working in film, TV and digital will present at each day and a Channel 4 employee from each area will share their employment journey. Attendees will also take part in hands-on workshops with professionals, for example digital filmmaking, presenting for TV, getting into journalism or writing for comedy. Local stake holders will be present to show their support.

Attending the 4Talent days automatically qualifies young people to apply for the Channel 4 Work Experience scheme, of which 42% of participants find further experience or employment in the industry as a result.

4Talent's approach to 2012 reflects Channel 4's mission to break down barriers and engage with and develop the widest range of talent. By demystifying the media sector, 4Talent aims to help young people from all backgrounds navigate their way into what is a hugely competitive industry.

Diane Herbert, Channel 4's Director of Human Resources said: "At Channel 4 we know that good ideas can come from anywhere. The creative industries have huge potential to provide growth and employment, and we want to make sure that nobody is excluded from that and this is why we are taking our 4Talent Days to more unexpected places around the UK. This year in Derry-Londonderry, Dundee, Barnsley, Cardiff and Penzance we are looking for new talent with fresh perspectives. 

"We want to connect this talent to Channel 4, but also to the local creative industries on their doorstep, who will be joining us for these inspiring days."

 

Notes to editors:

4Talent is Channel 4's nationwide scheme aimed at supporting people aiming for a future in the media industry. It offers employment advice and inspiration, work experience placements, apprenticeships and master classes.

http://4talent.channel4.com/