Bradford Theatres have been presented with a National Quality Standard Award for Work Experience by Education Bradford for their work placement scheme; the first time this Award has been presented to a team within Culture, Tourism & Sport.
Bradford Theatres has run a comprehensive Work Placement Scheme since 2002 for Year 10's through to graduates, primarily in the Technical Department. The placement students assist with all backstage related duties, which enables them to work alongside the Theatres technical team and also have hands-on involvement with a visiting production cast and crew. The scheme is heavily supported by all departments in Theatres that come into contact with the students on a daily basis.
Jane Glaister, Strategic Director of Culture, Tourism & Sport and board member of the Sector Skills Council for Creative and Cultural Industries comments:
“I am delighted that Theatres are the first to receive this Service Excellence Award within Culture, Tourism and Sport; it’s testament to the commitment of Theatres staff.
I understand that the Placement Team will be rolling out this model across all the Council Departments that take students for work based learning so Education Bradford can award more certificates.”
The opportunity is listed on the Education Bradford Database which is also accessed by other Education Authorities in Calderdale, Kirklees and Leeds, and means that demand is extremely high for the weekly placement slots.
Due to the limited availability in West Yorkshire and across the country for placements of this type; and many schools offering vocational performance based subjects, students have come to Bradford Theatres from as far afield as Cornwall and London and stay with locally based family and friends to take advantage of the scheme.
