College wins big role in creative industry (From Warrington Guardian)

College wins big role in creative industry

A NORTHWICH college has secured a £250,000 grant to help boost a key industry in the region.

Mid-Cheshire College beat off stiff competition to secure funding from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which will be used to identify and tackle particular training needs within the creative sector of Cheshire and Warrington.

The money will be spent directly on setting up a database of all creative industry employers in the region, which will prove to be a large task in itself.

Head of art and design at the college Simon Andrews said: "The creative sector is quite a broad and diverse area - much broader than people think.

"It involves advertising, architecture, the art and antiques market, crafts, design, fashion, film, interactive leisure software, music, performing arts, publishing, software and computer services, and TV and radio.

"When we are happy that all employers are listed on it, we'll talk to them about their training needs and what we can do to up the skills of their work force - we'll also be able to help with basic skills such as numeracy and business skills."

Much of the grant will fund experts to create the database and field workers to find out about training needs which will benefit both the creative industries and the college. Simon said: "We've made assumptions about what people want in the past, but now we're able to conduct serious research.

"It will give us a more accurate idea and we'll be able to provide bespoke courses tailored for a company's needs rather than just off-the-shelf courses."

The grant builds on Mid-Cheshire College's status as a top provider of art and design in the region. It achieved Centre of Vocational Excellence status in creative arts and new media in October 2003.

To be part of the creative industry database, contact the college on 01606 74444.