Channel 4 Opens Creative Career Opportunities for Disadvantaged Young People in the North of England

Channel 4 is offering 25 more career-changing opportunities to young people based in the north of England.

Twenty-five young people from disadvantaged backgrounds will have the chance to kickstart a career in the creative industries after Channel 4 set up a range of partnerships with businesses based in Manchester and Leeds.

The opportunities come as the broadcaster launches the next round of recruitment for its Content Creatives initiative - a training and work scheme aimed at 18 to 24-year-olds with a passion for content creation and creativity. It will be the first time the Channel 4 Content Creatives initiative will run in Manchester as well as Leeds.

Sinéad Rocks, Channel 4’s managing director nations and regions said, “We know our Content Creative initiative can change people’s lives and we’re really thrilled to extend the programme to Manchester and offer more opportunities than ever before.

“Working with partners in Leeds and Manchester means that more young people with a passion for creativity can take that first, important step into a career that they might not even had realised existed on their doorstep.”

The fully paid 14-week scheme sees trainees undertake six weeks of bespoke training with the specialist company SharpFutures. The training covers production techniques, storytelling, pitching as other key skills such as teamwork and communication.

The training is followed by an eight-week work placement either with 4Studio, Channel 4’s digital content studio, or one of Channel 4’s creative partners in Leeds or Manchester.

For this cohort of trainees Channel 4 has lined up work placements with some fantastic creative organisations on either side of the Pennines including Chief, Consume Comms, Dentsu Creative, Dubit, Jaywing, Leeds 2023 and Social. And negotiations are still on-going with several other companies with a view to them joining the scheme.

The organisations cover a range of creative disciplines, but each has a passion for creativity and a commitment to supporting and nurturing talent.

Content Creatives is already supporting 18 young people with training and work placements in Leeds, opening up the world of the creative industry and providing practical experience and opportunities.

Rosie, 20, from Sheffield, currently on the scheme in Leeds, said: “Prior to Content Creatives, I had little knowledge and awareness of the creative industry and no idea on where to start getting experience.

“The training has educated me about the broad range of roles within the industry as well as how to have confidence in my skills. Currently, I’m on a placement at a design company and couldn’t be more thankful to have been given the opportunity.”

Karl Stones, executive creative director at Jaywing based in Leeds said, “Creative industries like ours in the north are crying out for a fresh impetus of home-grown talent. But the irony is, most young people on our doorstep don't know we exist and what we really do.

“We’re fiercely passionate about finding the next generation of writers, editors, designers, storytellers and makers - and we know how hard it can be get a foot through the door. So it's important we seize opportunities to address this wherever possible. This opportunity alongside Channel 4 to unearth diverse young talent with a passion for creativity enables us to help shine a light on them.”

Colin Offland, CEO at Manchester-based Chief Productions said, “Chief is all about making great content, from commercials, to TV, to music promos and everything in between. To make great content we need great talent, and partnering with Channel 4 on Content Creatives will help our ambition to find, develop and nurture creative talent. We want to provide opportunities for young people from the region with creative passions and diverse perspectives, and give them their first steps into an amazing career in the creative sector.”

Peter Wrathmell, managing director (Leeds), Social said, “As a company committed to making a positive social impact, we jumped at the chance to partner with Channel 4 on such an important programme for young people in our region and we’re thrilled to see the initiative expanding for the second round.

“We’ve been hugely impressed by our first two trainees Abi and Anna, who have brought bucket loads of enthusiasm and a hunger to learn – and by giving them hands-on experience across our range of creative communications services, we hope to help spark successful careers for them both in our industry.”  

Julie Chadwick, managing partner, at Manchester-based Dentsu Creative said, “Dentsu Creative is committed to providing opportunities and nurturing the next generation of talent. This partnership with Channel 4 will offer fantastic opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Manchester area and we’re thrilled to be part of this project”

The Content Creatives scheme is open to people aged 18-24 who are able to work in either Leeds or Manchester. Applications need to be submitted by Monday 4th July and can be made here.