Young Australians to become ArtsReady
Hundreds of young Australians will have access to new quality job opportunities in the arts and creative industries under a partnership between the Government and national employment and education provider AFL SportsReady.
AFL SportsReady CEO James Montgomery today welcomed the announcement by Minister for the Arts Simon Crean that the Government would invest $3.4 million to establish a specialist arts and creative education and employment pathway for young Australians through ArtsReady.
Mr Montgomery said the first ArtsReady trainees would start next financial year, working with the arts and creative sector to place up 100 new trainees across Victoria and NSW in the first 12 months, including opportunities for Indigenous students as part of a joint ambition to support more young Indigenous Australians access good jobs in their chosen fields.
“In the two decades since AFL SportsReady was established as an independent, not-for-profit education and employment company, we have continually grown to deliver education and employment pathways in a wide range of industries from sport and recreation to finance, education, IT and even horticulture.” Mr Montgomery said.
“We have built our successful track record through adapting our model to suit the individual needs of different industries, working in partnership with industry-based experts to offer students specialist support through one-on-one mentors as they complete their on-the-job traineeships and education.”
“Our targeted, support-based service model has been a continued success, demonstrated through high trainee retention rates, strong trainee engagement and clear and proven pathways to employment, or further education.”
“Our proven track record gives us confidence to expand our successful education and employment model into the arts and creative sectors, and we are excited about helping more young Australians gain the skills and experience that will benefit the young workforce of the future and enrich the industry as a whole.”
Mr Montgomery said many young people assumed a career in the arts and creative industries was only available as an elite artist or performer, with many unaware of the large number of ancillary and service roles necessary to support the sectors.
“A traineeship through ArtsReady will deliver young people with the skill-based training they need to enter and succeed in the arts and creative industries, offering a pathway to meaningful employment for the vast array of the technical, management and administrative jobs vital to the sectors’ ongoing development,” he said.
“ArtsReady will open doors for young people who until now have not had the opportunity to pursue their career in the arts industry, while also providing opportunities for students who have undertaken elite training and are seeking a new career direction.”
“AFL SportsReady is particularly passionate about delivering career pathways for Indigenous young people. We currently employ over 200 Indigenous trainees across Australia with partners like the ANZ, NAB, Commonwealth Bank and Australia Post.”
“And now, through the establishment of the ArtsReady program, young people across the country will have an opportunity to develop nationally-accredited qualifications and experience in the arts and creative sectors.”
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
