The Bauer Academy, which helps people and businesses grow, has won a ground-breaking £1.8 million government contract offering a completely fresh industry-based approach to training. The fully funded London based courses, backed by the European Social Fund, are designed to significantly improve employability for people by removing barriers to learning and will provide exciting opportunities for learners within one of the world’s brightest media companies, Bauer Media.

The project, named ‘Making Creativity Work’ runs from now until July 2018 and seeks to support 1,200 people get work in creative industries, by bridging the gap between education, media and business.

Courses will encompass training across radio, magazines, television, fashion, textiles, digital and social – with a strong focus on enterprise, creativity and innovation skills. Bauer is the lead training provider and will work with partners including Creative Skillset, Hiive, Street Vibe, Big Creative Education and others to deliver the contract.

Courtnay McLeod, Director of the Bauer Academy said, “This style of course is completely unique, both because of the highly personalised approach, and also that it is education immersed within industry. It’s a real game-changer in terms of training for the creative industries”.

Funded by the European Social Fund via the Skills Funding Agency  – attendees will be given personalised training programmes (lasting from 2 – 26 weeks) designed around their existing commitments –in keeping with the Academy’s focus on supporting people overcome barriers to learning and promoting diversity. Depending on the student’s needs, the programmes will include a mixture of vocational training, taster sessions, work placement, coaching and mentoring.

For more information go to: http: www.makingcreativitywork.co.uk

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Cat Martin

E: cat.martin@bauermedia.co.uk

T: 0207 432 3317/07932 746 363

About Bauer Media:

Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, Kiss, Grazia, Empire, TV Choice, Take a Break, Bella, Magic and Absolute Radio. It creates and curates entertaining media content that audiences love whenever, wherever and however they want through a multi-channel strategy and a focus on product excellence and audience insight. The result is an exciting array of influential brands, content and talent which provide compelling and engaging advertising opportunities with valuable audiences for UK commercial partners. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.

European Social Fund:

The project (either has received or is receiving up to) £1.8 million of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.