A group of people from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds have been selected for internships with well-known creative businesses in Bristol, as part of a new scheme.
A total of 14 young people from underrepresented groups within industries such as media production, marketing and web development have been chosen as the first cohort of the Bristol Creative Industries Internship Programme.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) network and social enterprise Babbasa, is aiming to help young people aged 18-24 from across the city who are looking to gain insight and experience in the industry.
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Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animation are among 15 organisations taking part, which will offer six-month, full-time paid placements to the interns. The successful applicants will undergo two placements at two different agencies, both lasting three months each.
It comes as a report commissioned by BCI found increasing diversity and inclusion was a significant priority for six in 10 (59%) creative firms in Bristol, but almost half (48%) said they want more help finding diverse talent from underrepresented groups.
Sarah Foley, a senior designer at marketing agency Mr B & Friends, said the company was participating in the programme as part of efforts for better better representation and inclusivity within its own organisation and the industry as a whole.
Ms Foley said: “Our diversity, equity, and inclusion team, in its fifth year, understand that there are barriers to getting into the creative industry for those who are in underrepresented groups. Whether that be lack of education, lack of opportunities or lack of awareness that this is a career path for them, we were looking to be able to provide an opportunity for young people and this internship programme has helped give us that."
Zoe Lynes, head of services at Babbasa, said: “This is an amazing opportunity we are creating for young people across Bristol and our collaboration on this scheme has been a real passion piece for all of us here at Babbasa.
“This project has allowed us to foster a strong collaborative relationship with Bristol Creative Industries, aligning our mutual goals of raising up those young people who have been disadvantaged, to work together to build opportunity, excitement, and progression for those young people who need it most in Bristol.”
Chris Thurling, chair of Bristol Creative Industries, added: “We are delighted to welcome our first cohort for the internship programme. Just the recruitment process itself has been incredibly rewarding for all involved and has only reinforced the reasons as to why we set up this initiative.
“We are incredibly excited to see the new recruits take the next step in their journey and kick off their roles with some of the very best creative businesses not just in the city of Bristol, but in the UK.”
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