The Liverpool Metro Mayor and former Sectretary of State for Health and Social Care, who published the Young people and work: interim report in May, visited Lime Pictures, as a ‘best practice’ employer for training and access to the creative industry.
Joined by the Andy Taylor Foundation, Mencap and Scope they spent time with young people working on two Lime productions, including Hollyoaks, who had secured jobs through work experience and training schemes including Channel 4’s 4Skills and Accelerate scheme.
Alan and Steve met costume trainee Aslan Herzen, production assistant Saleem Miah, costume runner Jenny Scott and Sophie Barrick, design intern – to learn about their experiences of finding employment through training and work experience.
Aslan said: “One of the core challenges today’s youth face is a sense of overwhelming worry for the future, fuelled by everything from sociopolitical to environmental concerns. Employment trends only exacerbate this anxiety.
“Formal training opportunities genuinely help young people get “a foot on the ladder (or in the door). This is especially important in creative industries, where practical experience and networking are so crucial.
“Mentorship from older colleagues also provides young people with tailored advice in matters both personal and professional, which can be a huge boost to mental health and career progress for early-career individuals.”
The Liverpool production company visit – hosted by Lime Pictures’ MD John Whittle and Hollyoaks’ Executive Producer Hannah Cheers – highlighted the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer and the ‘Foot in the Door’ scheme to give placements to NEETS.
The Department for Work and Pensions advocates also met with Hollyoaks cast who have used their platforms to advocate for more mental health support for young people; including Malique Thompson-Dwyer, Leo Cole and Ashley Taylor-Dawson.
Malique said: “As a KidsOut ambassador, I’m passionate about helping give disadvantaged children opportunities they might not otherwise have.
“Seeing the support for young people here has been really inspiring and I’m proud to use my platform to raise awareness for such an important cause.”
John Whittle, MD said: “As an employer within the creative sector we are acutely aware of our responsibility to give opportunity through training and outreach to find and support young people who might not have access to the industry, for varying reasons.
“The visit was a chance to bring industry leaders together with young people at Lime who have moved through training schemes into jobs to share their experiences of how we can continue to grow within this area.”
Lara Taylor from the Andy Taylor Foundation, who are partnering with Lime Pictures and Liverpool Film Office to work with NEETS on placements said:
“Ewan and I were delighted to meet Alan Milburn in Liverpool. His report shines a clear light on the urgent need for charities and industry to work together to rebuild the ‘first rung on the career ladder’ for young people.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing through Foot in the Door Liverpool, working alongside fantastic partners including [Lime Pictures/ L16 Studios], whose pioneering digital team continues to lead the way in platform-first content and digital storytelling.
“Our programme launch this week feels even more timely now and we can’t wait to get started with our young cohort.“
