The Manchester International Festival’s 2021/22 Factory Academy programme will provide free creative training for over 250 Manchester and Greater Manchester people currently unemployed or on low-wage contracts.
The new scheme expands on the 2020-21 programme, which helped around 150 people. Half the Factory Futures Academy graduates from that group moved into work or further study within three months. Over the next five years the academy hopes to offer training to around 1,400 people.
Launched in 2018 by MIF in partnership with cultural organisations in the city, the Factory Academy is an major example of the way skills and training will be at the heart of Manchester’s new multi-million pound arts space.
The 20/21 trainees will be offered places for practical study in subjects from construction to broadcast and film production. Trainees will be immersed in the creative and cultural industries, and will be given opportunities to manage creative projects to develop key skills. The programme will also offer support to creative and cultural employers aligned to the government Kickstart scheme, combining on-the-job training with opportunities for personal development in a workplace setting.
The latest opportunity is a 15-day training programme developed with builders Laing O’Rourke, Ryder Architecture and other companies involved in the building of the factory complex.
Students will discover how a major construction project is developed, with guidance from industry experts and with skills useful in construction. The course runs from October 11-29, is free to participants and open to anyone in Manchester or Greater Manchester aged 19-24 and on Universal Credit.
On completion of the course, students will be able to apply for a six-month paid Kickstart role with organisations working on the design and construction of The Factory.
Applications for the 2021/22 programme must be received no later than October 8.
More information here