New award for design businesses championing skills training

This week sees the launch of a new skills award for the design sector, an opportunity to champion the unsung heroes from the world of design and design education. 

The awards up for grabs from Creative & Cultural Skills are for individuals or organisations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting “vocational employment pathways into design” – in plain speak that’s things like paid internships, traineeships and apprenticeships.  

In addition, there is also the opportunity to nominate brilliant interns and apprentices who have shown exceptional ambition and talent in your business.

Individuals and organisations in this space are impacting far and wide, challenging the status quo in design education and entry to the sector.

We know there is lots of great stuff happening in this area, but much of it is below the radar. It might not be as sparkly or sexy as other design awards out there but it is arguably more important. Individuals and organisations in this space are impacting far and wide, not only opening up the world of design to more diverse, talented and interesting people but challenging the status quo in design education and entry to the sector, and passing on the valuable tacit skills of professional design practice.

So whether it’s the broad range of “make and take” opportunities from the Student Enterprise and Employability (SEE) team at University of the Arts London;  a college tutor who has pioneered new partnerships with industry; or companies like UsTwo delivering Tech City Apprenticeships and their own special brand of internships and externships; now is the time to speak up and get nominating.

How to nominate

You can find full details on how to nominate exemplary individuals, organisations, apprentices and interns for the Skills Awards on the Creative & Cultural Skills website.  

The deadline for entries is 19th December and winners will be announced at the Building a Creative Nation conference in March 2015.