AN APPRENTICESHIP scheme  tailored specifically for Merseyside’s  creative sector is being launched today.

Creative Break is being funded by  Skills Solutions and supported by the  National Apprenticeship Service and  aims to address the lack of opportunities for school-leavers to start their  career within the industry.

The launch comes three months  after a sister programme began in  Manchester.

The apprenticeships will be in administrative roles, culminating in an  NVQ qualification in business administration but more importantly experience of working within an agency or  in-house marketing department.

Sandy Lindsay, group managing director of Manchester-based Tangerine  Public Relations, is leading the programme. She said: “The response to the Creative Break programme in Manchester  has been overwhelming – we absolutely want to mirror this success  across Merseyside.

“It has always been our aim to roll  the programme out across the UK, following the initial pilot in Manchester,  and with the creative sector growing  across Merseyside year on year, it  seemed like the perfect location to extend the programme.”

Employers are responsible for paying the apprentice’s wage, which can  mean an investment of just £5,000 a  year as part of the Apprenticeship  Training Agency initiative.

The entire cost of the training will  be covered if the apprentice is 18 or  under, while those who are older will  have half of their training costs  covered.

Businesses are asked to commit to a  minimum of 12 months – although  there are options to get involved if that  level of commitment can’t be guaranteed – and the only stipulations are  that the business has an office and  part of its function sits within the creative industries.

The Creative Break programme is  only open to school-leavers and not  graduates.

It offers them paid employment with  a minimum contract of 12 months with  the North West Apprenticeship Company which guarantees employment  until they are qualified.

Businesses already committed to  supporting Creative Break in Merseyside include  Mando Group, PR agency  Active  Profile and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Matt Johnson, chief executive of  Mando Group and a member of the  Creative Break Merseyside Advisory  Panel, said: “The Creative Break programme offers an amazing opportunity for employers and young people.  It’s a well known fact that a great administrator is an essential part of any  creative team. So to be given access to  a bright, qualified and specifically  trained individual for less than £5,000  per year who could fulfil that role, is  an exciting prospect.

“It’s so important that we capture  young talent, particularly within the  creative industry and provide opportunities to as many young people as  possible trying to get a foot on the  career ladder – Creative Break helps to  achieve both of these goals.”

For information, visit www.creativebreak.info