Channel 4 expands its Content Creatives training programme with 30-plus placements in Leeds and Manchester

18 May 2023

Channel 4’s northern-based Content Creatives training programme will offer more than 30 people from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to kick-start their careers in the creative industry.

Content Creatives has opened up recruitment for the scheme which offers 24-weeks of a full-time, fully paid training for people with a passion for digital content and creativity.

Under the scheme, trainees take part in eight weeks of tailored training led by Manchester based social enterprise SharpFutures. The virtual classroom training covers all aspects of digital media including bespoke content creation skills, digital storytelling and pitching, and teamwork and communication.

Trainees then go on to put their newly honed skills and creativity into practice in real life working environments at one of over 30 fully paid placements across Leeds, Bradford and Manchester, either with 4Studio, Channel 4’s Leeds-based digital content unit, or with one of the creative partners in the scheme.

These partners include Born Ugly, Behaviours Agency, Boutique, Bradford University, Chief, Finn, Golden, Hatch, Jaywing, Limehouse, Social, and Visions. The programme is led and funded by 4Skills, and the trainees are paid the real living wage, with partners providing 50% of the salary while the trainees on placements.

Channel 4’s Managing Director Nations & Regions Sinead Rocks said: “In just a few years, Channel 4’s Content Creatives programme has provided amazing opportunities to more than 50 young people and many have gone on to secure jobs or further opportunities in the creative industry.

“Many graduates of the programme never imagined themselves working in the creative industries which is exactly what Content Creatives is designed to do and I’d strongly urge anyone with a passion for digital content creation to submit an application - it could open up a completely new and exciting career path.”

Content Creatives, now in its third year following an initial pilot in 2021, has helped dozens of trainees securing new jobs or further opportunities directly off the back of the Channel 4 scheme.

Neve McNamara, former Content Creative Trainee and now Assistant Digital Producer at 4Studio said: “Taking part in Content Creatives was a fantastic experience, giving me insights into the range or roles in the creative industries, and leading to the start of my career here at 4Studio.”

This talent scheme, which starts in September, is part of 4Skills and is particularly focused on providing people from lower socio-economic backgrounds with an opportunity to start their careers in the creative industries.

Helen Simpson, Performance and Development Director at Hatch which has bases in Leeds and London, said: Content Creatives provides an important ‘foot in the door’ for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain hands-on skills in all areas of content creation and production. We are committed to giving talented individuals access to valuable work experience, regardless of background, life stage or qualifications, and we’re proud to partner with Channel 4 to provide placement opportunities at Hatch.”

The latest iteration of the scheme is now longer, more impactful and involves more partners than ever before. It is delivered in partnership with The Talent People and SharpFutures.

The Content Creatives scheme is open to people to anybody over the age of 18 currently living in Yorkshire or Greater Manchester, or able to commute. Applications need to be submitted by Sunday 16 July and can be made here at https://www.c4contentcreatives.com/

The scheme will run from Monday 11 September to Friday 8 March 2024.

There is also still the opportunity for any creative organisations across Leeds and Manchester to take part and provide placements either in this cohort or in future iterations and more details can be obtained by contact 4Skills at 4Skills@channel4.co.uk.

 

Notes to Editors

4Skills is Channel 4’s nationwide training and development strategy which aims to create thousands of opportunities nationwide with a particular focus on people from diverse and disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds who want a career in broadcasting. (https://careers.channel4.com/4skills)

In 2022 4Skills generated more than 23,000 training, development and learning opportunities for people across the UK, focusing on people from underrepresented groups. It delivered more than 4,000 career progression opportunities through fast track schemes, bursaries, training and mentoring and more than 200 paid entry level roles including internships, apprenticeships and production training schemes.

4Skills invests £5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to £10m by 2025.