Government announces plans to create new apprenticeships and extend creative learning

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5,000 apprenticeships in the creative industries were announced by the Government today as part of a comprehensive plan of support for film, media, fashion, art and music.

In addition five centres of excellence will be created in conjunction with creative companies such as Aardman Animations, EMI, and the Royal Opera House

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said: “Making a career out of your passion and a business from your ideas ““ that’s what we want to help Britain achieve.

“So now is the time to recognise the growing success story that is Britain’s creative economy and build on it. The creative industries must move from the margins to the mainstream of economic and policy thinking, as we look to create the jobs of the future.

“Our vision is of a Britain in 10 years time where the local economies in our biggest cities are driven by creativity. That’s why we need a clear action plan for both Government and industry to keep our competitive advantage. We want to take raw talent, nurture it, and give people the best possible chance of building a successful business.”

A number of organisations have already signed up to the apprenticeship plan, including BBC at mediacity:uk, Tate Liverpool, Universal Music Group and Monkeydevil Design. Others making the commitment to provide apprenticeships under the “Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy” strategy include Royal Opera House, Royal Shakespeare Company, Sage Gateshead, Unsigned and ITV Granada.

Gordon Brown also threw his weight behind the announcement The PM said: “The creative industries – fashion to film, advertising, music – are one of the great exports for Britain to the rest of the world and one of the biggest employers of people for the future.

“We want Britain to be the new Hollywood of some of the new creative industries of the future in the way that Hollywood was the centre of the film industry in the past.”

Other initiatives under the strategy include a “World Creative Business Conference” that will bring world leaders in the creative and financial sectors to the UK each year and exploring the creation of a 14 ““ 25 Academic Hub for the creative industries, which will bring schools and art colleges and universities together.

Dr Frances Corner, Head of the London College of Fashion was supportive of the announcement: “It is very positive to see how the Strategy Paper outlines a number of clear measures to underpin the work of the Creative Economy Programme in securing the future for the UK creative and cultural industries.