It’s a wrap! Media Trust gives Creativity Works trainees a final send off

At the event, the young participants each took to the stage to share their journey through the 12-week programme.

Over the course of the evening, the audience heard from the trainees as they relived highlights from the masterclasses they attended and the inside stories from their visits to big brand media companies such as Google, ITN and Sky Academy.

Trainee, Beth Adeaze Louise Dale said: “Creativity Works has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was given a multitude of opportunities to visit incredible media companies such as ITN, Oath, Google, Yahoo! and Sony. I had gripping sessions with amazing professionals, who spoke about their experience in media, whilst gifting me with some of their wisdom.”

Talking about her work placement at ITV, trainee, Zainab Alejo said: “Through Creativity Works I was given the opportunity to assist on the production of a new ITV reality show called Survival of the Fittest. It was an invaluable experience and it’s really helped me with my career prospects.” says, Zainab. “I can’t thank Media Trust, Mayor’s Fund for London and Berkeley Foundation enough.”

The scheme which is delivered by Media Trust and supported by Mayor’s Fund for London and the Berkeley Foundation, is split into two phases: six weeks of intensive masterclasses followed by six weeks of impactful mentoring and employability skills training.

Internet TV presenter, Ria Hebden, who is a mentor on the programme attended the event and spoke about how important the the mentoring phase of the programme is and how much it helps the young people to advance, both personally and professionally.

Working in the industry

Taking part in the programme has already paid dividends for many of the participants. A number of the young people have secured employment or work experience at leading media companies including Dentsu Aegis Network, ITN, Hearst Magazines, ITV and The Beat London, others have had their work featured on The Huffington Post and Yahoo! News and others have had the opportunity to attend and work backstage at this years’ MOBO awards.

At the end of the event, each young person was awarded a certificate by Matthew Patten, CEO of Mayor’s Fund for London. Media Trust, Mayor’s Fund for London and Berkeley Foundation wish all the young people involved, the best of luck. We know it won’t be the last we hear from this creative talent.

About Creativity Works: Multimedia Genius Training:

Creativity Works: Multimedia Genius Training is a free, high-impact media and employment skills training programme for young people (aged 18-24) in London, who are not currently in employment, education or training. This intensive, twelve-week crash-course aims to provide them with help to find paid work in the media industry.

The scheme is delivered by Media Trust, and supported by Mayor’s Fund for London and Berkeley Foundation. The project is split into two phases: six weeks of intensive masterclasses, during which the young people will hear from media experts, visit big-brand media companies such as BBC and Google UK, and receive practical media skills training.

Following this, the young people receive six weeks of impactful mentoring and employability skills training, with a media professional from one of Media Trust’s corporate members and partners. This includes CV and cover letter construction and interview practice. The overall aim of the scheme is to help the young people transition into paid employment within the creative industries.

The scheme started in 2015.