Skills for Growth

Skills for digital innovation and growth

University of Sunderland

The Digital Innovation and Leadership Project aims to address higher level digital skills needs in Northumberland.  

Offering a range of fully funded taster sessions and structured short courses for business and the community, to stimulate interest in digital skills. 

Their short course offer will include courses covering desktop applications, digital marketing, podcasting, leadership and strategy – a full list of courses on offer can be accessed via our website.

These courses will be delivered in pop up locations across Northumberland and online. 

Delivery will be ‘blended’ with a mix of face-to-face and online learning. 

Delivery is until May 2025. 

This programme will benefit: 

• Northumberland employers seeking to drive digital innovation in their businesses by investing in digital skills.
• Northumberland employees seeking to improve their digital skills.

There is a particular focus on rural communities and on encouraging individuals who would not traditionally access standard higher education programmes.

For more information head to

Digital Skills Northumberland | The University of Sunderland

Green growth skills programme

Newcastle College University Centre

The purpose of the Green Growth Skills Forecasting project is to bring together the expertise of Newcastle University, Newcastle College, Education Partnerships North East and ORE Catapult to undertake a research project, engaging at technology level with local industry to link macro and micro job numbers at regional level to provide objective evidence of green skills requirements, and to identify skills needs within the emerging green technology sector.  

The research activity is phase one of the project and will lead into a parallel phase two of activities.  The first phase two activity will be to develop a research-informed schools engagement programme where we use the results of our phase one research to develop and deliver an exciting green skills engagement programme to be delivered within primary and secondary schools. 

In parallel with these we will also develop and deliver green technology sector training courses focussed on the local green growth employment opportunities.

Writing and publishing skills hub

New Writing North

Launched in Autumn 2023 the Writing and Publishing Skills Hub is empowering people across the region with an exciting range of courses, activities and events to build skills and careers in the sector.

Over three years, New Writing North’s skills hub will offer numerous opportunities including, school roadshows, networking, business training, professional development, conferences, and courses for aspiring creatives.

The initiative aims to create or enhance 16 areas of work, fostering industry pathways and promoting unique skills growth in the region which will,

• enhance literacy skills
• support writers and creative freelancers

For more information head to 

www.newwritingnorth.com

Skills for music, theatre and performing arts

Generator

Developed in close consultation with industry partners and world-recognised experts, to create unique qualifications to give you the knowledge and understanding to begin a new career in the music and live performance industries, whatever your background. Skills delivery includes,

• New Level 3 qualifications
• Clear career progression and entry-level job opportunities
• Off-stage technical, creative, and managerial roles

Technical Skills for Music, Theatre and Performing Arts delivered with Newcastle College and Susan French Events, in real working venues – including partners Northern Stage and Live Theatre – by working professionals, giving you the skills you need to work in the smallest grass-roots venue up to the largest arena. 

Diploma in Creative Entrepreneurship delivered with TheWRD from The Ivors Academy, designed to help you develop yourself, your smarts and the connections you need to pursue a creative career in music – from management to publishing to production.

For more information head to 

www.generator.org.uk

Making Creativity Works

Signpost Productions (part of ITV) and Beacon Films

Making Creativity Works is a skills training course led by industry experts who will help equip learners for a career in film, television or video production. 

The programme aims to improve diversity in the screen sector and offers over 100 hours of hands on-training to support knowledge to develop a career in the industry. Delivered in partnership between Signpost Productions and Beacon Films, two North-East production companies that work with deaf, hearing, disabled and non-disabled screen creatives. 

The course includes a series of production-based modules, and no previous experience is necessary. 

A percentage of those taking part in Making Creativity Works are expected to gain paid employment after participating in the programme. This can include short paid placements, such as being a runner on a production, freelance work, further training or work experience opportunities.

For more information head to signpostproductions.tv

Skills and talent development pathways for creative practitioners

The Newbridge Project

Delivered in partnership with Newcastle University, their artist development work is sector-leading, and needs-led. They offer pathways for freelancers to develop high-level skills in creative arts practice through a range of programmes and activities.

Skills development work is delivered through three core programmes. 

• Create/Disrupt, for creatives and aspiring creatives with no formal education interested in pursuing a career in the arts.
• The Collective Studio, a graduate development programme for recent graduates and creatives with no formal education working at an equivalent standard.
• Practice Makes Practice, an artist career development programme developed by artists for artists We offer bursaries for membership and placements on these programmes to remove financial barriers.

For more information head to

www.thenewbridgeproject.com