The innovative challenge aims to find 300 young people across three categories who will be awarded work opportunities provided by over 100 UK creative media businesses.
The challenge will launch on Tuesday 20 March, with a four-page Metro coverwrap.
Metro is working with over 100 UK creative media businesses including advertising, animation, film, gaming, interactive media, mobile entertainment, publishing and web design companies, to offer placements. A jury made up of creative and digital experts will select the very best entrants who will then be assigned to suitable placements at participating businesses from September 2012 onwards.
Linda Grant (pictured), Managing Director of Metro, said: “We want to help young creative and talented individuals to develop their skills and realise their potential. We know how tough it is to get a foot in the door of the creative media industries. Creative Pioneers is a terrific opportunity for young people to take that first step on the ladder and kick start their career.
“In these challenging economic times it is vital we that we secure the future of the creative media industries, one of the fastest growing and most valuable sectors in the UK. The creative pioneers of tomorrow need to be encouraged and supported. This challenge will equip young people with the skills and qualities needed - innovation, risk-taking, creativity and an aptitude for identifying commercial opportunities – that will enable this to happen. I’m delighted that Metro is taking the lead, along with the IPA and our partner companies, in finding the bright stars of tomorrow’s creative and digital enterprises.”
Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: “This brilliant scheme will create hundreds of exciting and rewarding new jobs for young people in the creative sector. The creative industries represent a massive opportunity for growth and the IPA and the businesses involved in this challenge are to be commended for nurturing and developing the next generation of film directors, web and video game designers, advertising chiefs and marketing experts.”
Nicola Mendelsohn, IPA President and Executive Chairman and Partner, Karmarama, said: “When almost a million 16-24 year olds are out of work the need for this sort of initiative couldn’t be more apparent. One hundred companies across the creative and digital media sector, and across the country, have pulled together to give 300 school leavers the opportunity to get fast tracked into their first real job, or to realise their dream of turning a business idea into a company start up. It’s a real first - an employer-led collective committed to finding a solution to the national need. And the creative and digital media sector is well placed to do so, because there is high growth and big ambition for the UK's potential. The government thoroughly supports us in this, as we play our part in helping the economy to recover.
“Furthermore, we hope this nationwide hunt for digital and creative talent will help push apprenticeships into the mainstream and make our industry more accessible. We want young people from any background to enter; it’s not just about qualifications, it’s about having the right mindset and attitude; it’s about seeing yourself as part of the next generation of creative pioneers. This country’s position in the world market relies on us being ready for our digital future as well as our ability to innovate.”
Facebook, Twitter, Zynga, ITV, RSA Films, Aardman Animation, Spotify, Saatchi & Saatchi, Omnicom Media Group, Sapient Nitro, Yelp and special effects company Double Negative are just some of the 100 creative and digital media businesses uniting behind this innovative and collaborative new recruitment drive across the country.
Successful applicants will begin work in September in a variety of roles as apprentices or interns in television and film production, gaming, digital technology, web design and analytics, social media, media planning and buying, creative services, marketing communications and advertising. Furthermore budding entrepreneurs with a strong creative business idea can also apply, and if selected will get access to the best expertise in the business, and support to get their idea off the ground via office space, mentoring or investment.
The deadline for applications is noon, Friday 27 April, and the judging process will commence in May with the successful candidates announced in July. Participants must be 16 years or older and UK resident. No formal qualifications are required to enter.
To enter please go to www.creativepioneers.co.uk from 20 March. There are three categories of entry to choose from: Can-Do; Can-Code and Can-Start. Applicants answer three simple questions and upload a 60-second video of themselves explaining why they believe they are a creative pioneer in their category in order to be considered. To follow the Creative Pioneers Challenge on Twitter go to @CPChallenge.
The Creative Pioneers Challenge entry categories:
Can-Do
Can-Dos have creative fair, bright ideas and commercial instincts, but may be lacking experience. If you are can-do, you will most likely end up in project management, media planning and buying, creative services and production, or business development.
Successful entrants in this group will be offered an internship or fast tracked through the National Apprenticeship Service and a relevant training provider into the new suite of Level 2/3/4 Skillset Apprenticeships. They will become PAYE employees of creative media businesses.
Still not sure? Can-Dos you’ll need to show you are:
• A self-starter
• Able to think fast on your feet
• Able to see beyond the commonplace and everyday
• Not afraid to argue for what you believe in
• A good team player
• A good communicator
• Happy to stand out from the crowd
• Smart with money
Can-Code
Can-Codes know how to use the basic codes required for the creative business environment. If you are can-code, you will most likely end up in a studio or creative department making the digital content and platforms for gaming, social gaming, mobile apps, websites, interactive advertising.
Successful entrants in this group will be offered an internship or fast tracked into paid internships in the creative media industry and offered on-the-job training. If they succeed, they will be put on the payroll.
Still not sure? If you’re a Can-Code, you probably:
• Design using HTML and CSS
• Write behaviour for websites and apps using JavaScript
• Use functions and logic in Excel
• Have jailbroken your iPhone
• Have a working knowledge of the Linux Operating System
• Have a web server and play with ruby on rails, pythin or node.js
• Read Wired, The Register, Smashing Magazine or Hacker News
• Have your own website or blog, or YouTube channel
• Don’t do any of the above, but like to tinker and make things work, and have a willingness to learn
Can-Start
Can-Start have a business idea linked to digital content or platforms, but who need commercial exposure and support. If you are can-start, you will most likely end up running your own business, developing and marketing original content on existing platforms or creating new platform opportunities for advertisers.
Successful entrants in this group will join the digital creative community in London’s Shoreditch and beyond, and be offered support to get their own business off the ground. This may take the form of office facilities or investment or business mentoring; whatever is most needed to give them the best chance of success.
Still not sure?
Can-Starts are likely to have some of the characteristics of Can-Codes, but will also:
• Be entrepreneurial
• Have spotted a gap or opportunity in the digital market place and are ready to go.
