MLA Funding Strengthens Creative & Cultural Skills Initiatives

To date MLA funding of up to £100,000 per annum has gone towards the development of Creative Apprenticeships, qualifications, National Occupational Standards, identifying skills gaps and needs to improve the sector's workforce development and establishing a Cultural Heritage Skills Panel to advise on priorities for the sector.

Tom Bewick, chief executive of Creative & Cultural Skills said: "The partnership between Creative & Cultural Skills and MLA has proved to be a great success. In just six-months we have improved access and training support for the cultural heritage sector and we have several major skills initiatives underway.

"Cultural Heritage is one of the first sectors to run prototype Creative Apprenticeships - placements include various National Trust properties - while National Museums Liverpool, Tate Liverpool and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London are among a group of cultural venues and organisations helping us create an apprenticeship pathway in Cultural Venue Administration We're looking forward to working on many more initiatives with MLA and the cultural heritage sector over the coming year."

Chris Batt, MLA Chief Executive said: "Both MLA and Creative & Cultural Skills share a vision to stimulate learning and change in the cultural heritage sector and develop a diverse, skilled and responsive workforce. The MLA Partnership will assist Creative & Cultural Skills nationally and regionally to deliver the skills, qualifications and career pathways needed to create a more competitive, world-class workforce."

Creative & Cultural Skills and MLA are also working together with Arts Council England to deliver the Cultural Leadership Programme which provides leadership, mentoring and networking opportunities for the cultural heritage sector. Post-16 careers advice and training will be widely available through the Creative & Cultural Skills led Creative Knowledge Lab, an online service that will phase in from April.

Another collaboration is the Untold Riches project, involving MLA, Creative & Cultural Skills, Lifelong Learning UK, the Institute of Conservation, the Museums Association and other professional bodies developing pre-16 work placements and careers advice to encourage young people, particularly from BME backgrounds, to consider a career in museums. -- www.mla.gov.uk