Vince Cable: Skillset to encourage 500 new creative internships

Posted February 6, 2012 by Luke Stratford in Industry News, News.

Skillset and National Apprenticeship Service to encourage smaller firms to take on interns.

Speaking this morning, during National Apprentice Week, Business Secretary Vince Cable announced the launch of a new campaign to create 500 new internships in 300 selected creative businesses, offering up to £1,500 to firms preparing to take on their first apprentice.

‘Apprenticeships are at the centre of the Government’s skills policy because we know that they work.’ Cable stated, ‘Not only do they provide individuals with the skills they need for prosperous and rewarding careers, they also boost businesses’ profits and drive growth in the wider economy.’

‘We are providing extra help to enable small employers to hire their first apprentices. We will also continue to develop new advanced and higher-level apprenticeships to deliver the world-class skills individuals and firms need to get ahead.’

This comes at a low ebb for the UK games industry, with TIGA often voicing concerns as to the willingness of the government to provide the incentives and training required to sustain a profitable and stable creative industry sector. The plan itself, with the National Apprenticeship Service working in partnership with industry body Skillset, would enable small outfits, otherwise unable to take on an intern, to cover the nesecarry costs incurred whilst providing the workplace experience and training that only internships can provide.

Channel 4 Chief Executive and board member of Skillset David Abraham commented, ‘…now is the time for the whole sector to embrace apprenticeships as a key entry route to our industries, helping to address our business needs. That is why we so warmly welcome the partnership between Skillset and NAS to drive this work forward.’

In addition to this announcement, other possible initiatives include the formation of merged creative groups, to aid training through the sharing of resources, and the creation of higher-tier internships (including a degree-level equivalent) to fast-track interns into skilled roles.

Tagged as education, Funding, Internships, politics, Skillset, UK Games Industry, Vince Cable