The Young Web Developer

I was lucky enough to meet Phil today. He is a great example of the determination and commitment people show in order to get a job. At only nineteen he left his home town and came to live in Bristol on his own so that he could attend a poorly paid apprenticeship.

As with so many I have spoken to on this trip Phil told me about his frustration at being told he lacked  experience when applying for jobs.

Hi apprenticeship ended and he wasn't offered a full time position but the company did help him to perfect his CV and search for new positions.

He now has a full time job at another Web agency and at just twenty, is already carving out a career for himself in an industry he loves.

Trinity Centre Part 2 - There's a lot of competition

Being such an interesting place it was to be expected that it would attract fascinating people and the three interviews I recorded on Friday were compelling. It was very clear to me that I was talking to three talented and enthusiastic subjects who I believe would be a valuable asset to many companies but who all had their own stories about how difficult it is to break into the industry.

The level of competition is seemingly very high and being enthusiastic and talented is, apparently, not enough. One of the points that was made to me was that volunteering was a good way of seeking exposure and gaining experience, something employers appear to be very keen on.

Thanks to Emma and everyone who gave interviews. Two very worthwhile visits.

Trinity Centre Part 1 - Experience + Being Cocky = Success

It was great to visit Trinity Community Arts yesterday at the Trinity Centre in St.Phillips. Apart from the fact that it is a beautiful building with a fascinating history (if you ever visit I suggest you read through the leaflet available in reception), I was able to get some really interesting interviews with people that covered our whole demographic.

A recurring motif, with the interviewees from yesterday and from other centres, is the idea that 'experience' is a key element to securing a job and that obtaining experience through non-paid positions can lead to paid employment.

Confidence or 'Cockyness', as one subject put it, was also highlighted as a quality that would impress in the creative industries. The notion being that getting yourself noticed can be a determining factor when you're trying to forge a career in such a competitive sector.

I'm going back on Friday. I'm sure there are more interesting characters to meet.

Bristol Hospital Broadcasting Service Interviews

I had a good time interviewing a couple of the guys at Bristol's hospital radio station on Wednesday evening (07/11/2012). I'm happy (and slightly relieved) to have got my first interviews done. I suspected interviewing people would be fun and I'm pleased to say it turns out that's the case.

Judging by the interviews held with Emma and Shiubhan, young people who are looking to break into the creative industries are both interesting and a little frustrated, which I guess is one of the driving factors behind this whole project.

Although I'm only at the very beginning of my research a couple of recurring themes have already come up:

1. London; If you go there it will help (or at least that's what people think).
2. Experience; You'll only get a job if you already have experience of said job (I think this is a bit chicken and eggish but I'm not sure if that's the right metaphor)
3. It helps to know someone in the business/company.

It's very early days and it'll be interesting to see if these themes continue. I'll keep you posted here and please let me know what you think by leaving a comment,

David

What is this all about?

This Blog is going to accompany the 'Entry Level Employment in Bristol's Creative Industry's' project and specifically my involvement in said project. 

The project, which is being run by the Knowle West Media Centre in conjunction with UWE and Bristol City Council, hopes to find out about the current situation of young people aiming to forge a career on Bristol's creative scene. By visiting many of the city's arts and media centres we're going try to establish what's already out there? what's missing? what more could be done? what barriers are young people coming across? 

With Bristol set to become one of Britain's creative hubs, following the announcement that the new Temple Meads Enterprise Zone will be dedicated to creative and digital industries, we're hoping the project will contribute a significant piece of research that will help young people from the area fill a large number of the 17,000 vacancies predicted to arise in the area over the next twenty-five years.

The research will go on for three months and I'll be posting stuff on here about how we get on. I would welcome any ideas or opinions. Constructive criticism is welcome. Non-constructive criticism is also welcome as long as it's funny.