Partnership takes a new approach to tackling UK skills challenges.

20 young people will have the opportunity to learn from leaders and secure a job in the creative and digital industry.

• Agent Academy has already helped 250 young people into future careers, in organisations such as ASOS, Just Eat, JD Sports and Sony Music.

Agent Academy, an award-winning social enterprise that provides industry-designed training for people to enter the creative and digital industry, has joined forces with digital consultancy firm, CGI, to deliver new opportunities for young people who are underrepresented in the sector. The partnership will provide participants with a pathway into careers with CGI and other similar employers in the North West.

The partnership comes in response to growing industry demand for a skilled workforce, especially in emerging new digital roles. Currently, we know that demand for tech professionals in the UK has increased by 10% over the first six months of 2021. This new approach gives CGI the chance to discover future talent, by opening opportunities to young people who wouldn’t otherwise know that these careers exist. CGI will offer job opportunities to the participants who show potential once the programme is complete.

Zoe Wallace, director at Agent Academy, said:

“Many opportunities are hidden to the young people we work with; they may have not had exposure or access to the plethora of careers that exist. We know there are plenty of bright, talented young people, who employers across the region would love to meet. Our role at Agent Academy is to develop this talent and connect them with their future employers, simultaneously supporting businesses to find a new, diverse workforce they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

“We create an environment that challenges young people to learn quickly; introducing them to industry leaders and giving them new skills, all of which leads to meaningful, long lasting, employment. Our partnership with CGI demonstrates that there is a need for a bespoke approach to recruiting local talent and we are looking forward to delivering this exciting programme.”

CGI will set a brief for the 20 participants, that they will work on for the duration of the 12-week programme. The brief will challenge the young people to come up with new ideas for digital innovations that improve the lives of other young people in the North West. To help solve their brief, they will seek insight and expert advice from the senior leaders they meet.

Marian Cafferty, Vice President at CGI, said:

• Importance of ground-up recruitment
• Partnering with values-led social enterprises is more important than ever in business – allows organizations like CGI to have access to a talented, untapped workforce.
• CGI are committed to offering meaningful employment opportunities
• We are excited to see the unique perspectives of the cohort and the ideas that they produce to help CGI’s future strategy.

If you’re an organisation in the North West who is  committed to supporting young people, visit www.agentacademy.org.uk, or email info@agentacademy.org.uk.