Agent Academy to create Greater Manchester’s next generation of creative and digital talent

Agent Academy, an award-winning social enterprise that provides industry-designed training for people to enter the creative and digital industry, is launching a brand-new programme in Greater Manchester.

Established in 2014 in the Liverpool City Region, Agent Academy, the sister social enterprise of full-service brand and communications agency, Agent, has helped create over 200 long term jobs for the sector. The organisation has generated £15 million in accumulative salaries, helping young people to secure sustainable careers in the creative and digital industry, and supporting businesses to find talent. Previous graduates of Agent Academy’s training programme have gone on to work for household brands, including Sony Music, LFC Foundation, BBC, JD Sports and Just Eat.

Launching in September, the new programme has been designed in direct response to the demand in Greater Manchester for talent in the creative and digital industry, complementing other programmes that already exist in the city region.

The free programme will follow an industry-designed curriculum, giving learners the opportunity to meet with potential employers and industry leaders from across the region, work on real projects, receive mentoring and develop their skills.

Through its programmes, Agent Academy is committed to ensuring all young people are given the opportunity to succeed, ensuring that regardless of postcode, education or background, their place in the industry is found.

Zoe Wallace, Director at Agent Academy, said:

“The success that we’ve seen so far is due to the fact that Agent Academy really does bring together the very best of business and ambitious, talented young people. Through our programme, which runs for two days a week over a 12-week period, we’ve been able to demonstrate how effective the Agent Academy model is, generating hundreds of meaningful jobs in the creative and digital industry.

“In order for the North to level up, we need to make sure that everyone who wants to, has the opportunity to access great career prospects in this important industry. We want to play our role in making this a reality.

“We can’t wait to make our mark in Greater Manchester and encourage universities, colleges, businesses and social enterprises who are passionate about creating opportunities for all young people, to join us on our mission.

Councillor Andrew Western, GMCA, Lead for Digital, Work & Skills, said:

“We have a growing creative and digital industry in Greater Manchester, and we need a diverse and future-proofed digital talent pipeline to ensure the sector continues to flourish. Programmes such as those ran by Agent Academy are vital in helping learners from all backgrounds secure jobs in these sectors.

“This programme forms part of Greater Manchester’s Local Industrial Strategy, which sets out a number of measures to support business, good employment and sector strengths in the city-region. We have a thriving digital skills ecosystem in Greater Manchester and have made significant investments in recent years, including £5m into digital retraining and boot camp opportunities.”

Henri Murison, Director of the Norther Powerhouse Partnerships, said:

“It’s vital to recognise the economic importance of the creative and digital industry to the Northern Powerhouse.

“As we come out of the pandemic, we need to make sure we’re equipping young people with the skills they need to find well-paid, productive jobs. This is critical to closing the productivity gap at the root of the North-South divide.”

If you are under 30 and want to apply or find out more about the programme, or if you’re an organisation in Greater Manchester committed to supporting young people, visit www.agentacademy.org.uk, or [email protected].

Applications for the programme and will close on August 20th 2021.