Talent development programme for 18-24 year olds in GM set up by organisation named after Rochdale digital media pioneer

A talent development programme for young people across Greater Manchester has been launched by an organisation named after a digital media pioneer from Rochdale.

The programme has been developed by The Andy Taylor Foundation, a start-up non-profit organisation committed to improving social mobility within the digital media industry – set up by family, friends and colleagues of Andy Taylor, who sadly died in December 2020 after a battle with brain cancer.
 

Read more: Obituary: Andrew TaylorPublished: 22 December 2020

Andy made his way into the media industry via the University of Nottingham, an early career as a lawyer and then cutting-edge digital teams at Endemol UK, Channel 4 and All3Media.

He went on to co-found Little Dot Studios, an award-winning digital content agency and media network with clients including Gordon Ramsay, NBCUniversal and Formula E.

He had begun to plan a charitable foundation before his death, aged 50.

The foundation has now launched with its first project, ‘Foot In The Door 2022’ which is open to 18-24 year olds from Greater Manchester that are interested in making content but might not have any experience as yet.

Applications are now open for the 12-week paid training and work placement opportunity, with a goal to develop creative media production skills.

The first six weeks of the course will be run by SharpFutures, a social enterprise that supports diverse talent into employment in the creative digital sector, and held in person at The Sharp Project, Manchester’s creative digital hub.

 

 

There the participants will learn about creating content and will cover skills like production techniques, digital storytelling, coming up with ideas and pitching them alongside learning about communication and teamwork.

After the first six weeks of training, the participants will spend the next six on a work placement with one of the North West’s award-winning global media, entertainment creators such as digital publisher LADbible Group; Lime Pictures, the team behind Channel 4’s Hollyoaks; Studio Lambert North, the makers of Naked Attraction, The Circle and Gogglebox; and ITV Studios, a creator, producer and distributor of world-leading programmes.

The course participants will be supported throughout the 12-week programme by the SharpFutures skills development team, helping them plot the next stage of their careers in Greater Manchester’s expanding creative digital sector.

At the end of the ‘Foot In The Door 2022’ project the participants will take part in a graduation event to showcase the content they have created over the duration and will be interviewed to join SharpFutures People On Demand.

Andy’s widow, Lara, explained: “Andy always felt extremely fortunate to love his work. He got up every morning energised, looking forward to the day ahead.

“He cared deeply about letting all young people know that there was opportunity for them to achieve their goals, just as he had. Little Dot Studios created many roles for young people starting their careers and Andy wanted to help build similar opportunities elsewhere too.

“As his brain tumour progressed, he tasked us with implementing that ambition for him, which we are aiming to do through the foundation we have established in his name.

“We couldn’t be more proud or committed.”

Lee Stanley, SharpFutures CEO, said: “We are looking forward to be working with the Andy Taylor Foundation and the partners on this course.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for young people in Greater Manchester to learn from some of the most exciting creative digital businesses in the North West and develop some really important skills to give their careers a boast.

“If you’re aged between 18-24 and passionate about making content but not sure what to do next then I’d really encourage you to apply for the course, it may change your life.”

Applicants can apply by clicking here.

The deadline for applications is on Monday 14 March 2022 at 5pm.