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´óÏó´«Ã½ North is launching a new entry-level apprenticeship scheme later this spring. Open to applicants from the Greater Manchester area only, ´óÏó´«Ã½ North will work with a number of partners in the region, including the Salford Foundation and the National Apprenticeship Scheme to promote the scheme.

The initiative underlines ´óÏó´«Ã½ North's long-term commitment to supporting employment and training across the region. Offering jobs-with-training, the scheme is based on the traditional model of apprenticeship.

"From the very beginning ´óÏó´«Ã½ North has been committed to playing a role in the future economic prosperity of the North of England," commented Richard Deverell, Chief Operating Officer, ´óÏó´«Ã½ North. "This new apprenticeship scheme is a unique and long-term initiative that will offer a real training opportunity in the Greater Manchester area, bringing new people into the ´óÏó´«Ã½ as well as strengthening and enriching the creative industries across the region."

In the first three to four years, ´óÏó´«Ã½ North will offer up to 100 apprenticeships across all the divisions based at MediaCityUK.

The first apprentices will join ´óÏó´«Ã½ North in September 2011 with 25 apprentices on-site by May 2012.

Many of the apprenticeships will have a specific digital media or technology focus. This recognises the increasing trend in multi-platform broadcasting and audience consumption but also the fact that the North of England is increasingly becoming a major centre for digital media companies.

The scheme will be open to people with negligible or no work experience or qualifications. Apprentices will be part of the scheme for between 12 and 18 months during which time they will receive the necessary training which will then be applied in real roles. Throughout their apprenticeship they will receive mentoring and coaching from ´óÏó´«Ã½ staff and will also be encouraged to train for an external qualification at the same time.

"This scheme has been specifically designed to attract people who would not think of a job in media – or the ´óÏó´«Ã½ – in the first instance and we are pleased that we are working in partnership with organisations to reach them," added Ken Lee, HR Director, ´óÏó´«Ã½ North. "As well as building on the pan-industry apprenticeships that we already support, we are keen to involve more partners to maximise the benefits and opportunities that this new scheme can offer."

´óÏó´«Ã½ North will continue to support the Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeship scheme in the North West, alongside the regional industry.

The first ever media production apprenticeship in the UK, it  was a partnership between the ´óÏó´«Ã½, Vision+Media, Skillset and the National Apprenticeship Service and was designed as a new route of entry for 16-24 year olds with a maximum GCSE-level qualification.

The scheme launched in 2007 with a four-year commitment and since launch 50 16-24 year olds have completed the scheme.

"As we begin to make a home for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ at MediaCityUK I am proud that will are making good on our promise to be as inclusive as possible when it comes to recruitment," concluded Peter Salmon,  Director, ´óÏó´«Ã½ North.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Press Office