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Training placements available for graduates

Finsbury_sadlers_wells_1Theatrical heavyweights Sadler’s Wells, the Donmar Warehouse and The Lowry are among a number of theatres that are set to offer training placements to graduates as part of a £430,000 scheme. The positions are part of the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme, which aims to make arts careers more accessible for young people by providing paid placements to those who cannot afford to work for free. By providing these opportunities, the arts industry is not only offering a more structured journey into a career, but is also inspiring young graduates to propel themselves further. A pilot scheme for the initiative was first launched by the government in 2010. Nine out of 10 graduates who took part secured a job in the arts after the programme finished in 2012, which speaks volumes in terms of creating and maintaining opportunities. Now for 2015, 40 arts organisations across the country will offer an arts placement, including Opera North, Manchester International Festival, National Theatre Wales, The MAC in Belfast, Glasgow Citizens Theatre, Welsh National Opera, NoFit State Circus and Birmingham’s Town Hall and Symphony Hall. Inspiring young graduates is imperative to the growth of the industry, enabling it to flourish well into the future having employed recipients of bursaries such as these as part of the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme. In addition to in-house training, bursary recipients have access to a dedicated mentor, as well as professional development through the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation training programme. Placements will be advertised by participating companies from now until early autumn, with the programme concluding in September 2016. The creative bursaries programme is funded by Jerwood Charitable Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust.