The first cohort of young talent has been selected for a new internship programme aimed at tackling the key issues of a long-term skills shortage and a lack of workforce diversity in Bristol creative sector.
Fourteen young people, pictured, from across the city will now experience working life in some of Bristol’s largest and best-known creative businesses. 
The scheme was set up by industry group Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) in partnership with city-based youth empowerment group Babbasa and is aimed at individuals aged 18-24 from underrepresented backgrounds who want to gain more insight and real experience in the sector.
A report commissioned by BCI last year found that increasing diversity and inclusion was a significant priority for nearly six out of 10 Bristol’s creative firms, but almost half said they wanted more help finding diverse talent from underrepresented groups.
Many of the city’s creative companies have signed up to the internship scheme and offered six-month, full-time paid placements to applicants in roles covering advertising, marketing, design, animation and digital.
Over the past few months, applicants met the businesses taking part for informal interviews and meet-and-greet session at Watershed. 
Prospective interns also had the chance to chat directly with agency bosses to learn more about their businesses and the available roles.
Among firms taking part is branding agency Mr B & Friends, where senior designer Sarah Foley said the business was already on its own journey for better representation and inclusivity within the agency and the industry as a whole.
“Our DE&I [diversity, equity, and inclusion] team, which is in its fifth year, understand that there are barriers to getting into the creative industry for those who are in underrepresented groups,” she added.
“Whether that be lack of education, lack of opportunities or lack of awareness that this is a career path for them, we were looking to be able to provide an opportunity for young people and this internship programme has helped give us that.” 
Another firm taking part is Armadillo, Bristol’s largest independent customer relationship marketing (CRM) agency.
Executive technical director Rob Pellow said: “Meeting the potential interns and working with them in the workshop was an unbelievably eye-opening experience.
“Nothing had prepared me for the level of passion, curiosity and dedication to finding work that energises them.”
Successful applicants will now work for six months, during which time they will undergo two three-month placements at two different agencies.
The programme will provide a mix of professional skills training, creative skills training, inspirational talks, networking events, mentoring and opportunities for future employment.
Babbasa head of services Zoe Lynes said: “This is an amazing opportunity we are creating for young people across Bristol and our collaboration on this scheme has been a real passion piece for all of us here at Babbasa.
“This project has allowed us to foster a strong collaborative relationship with Bristol Creative Industries, aligning our mutual goals of raising up those young people who have been disadvantaged, to work together to build opportunity, excitement, and progression for those young people who need it most in Bristol.”
Bristol Creative Industries chair Chris Thurling added: “Just the recruitment process itself has been incredibly rewarding for all involved and has only reinforced the reasons as to why we set up this initiative.
“We are incredibly excited to see the new recruits take the next step in their journey and kick off their roles with some of the very best creative businesses not just in the city of Bristol, but in the UK.”
For more information on the programme and a list of the interns, click here
The businesses and Bristol Creative Industries members taking part in the programme are:
