Manchester arts scheme sees 1,000 people graduate

Graduates from the Factory Academy worked on the Sweet Dreams show

More than a thousand people from Greater Manchester have been trained to take up jobs in the creative industries as part of a new training scheme.

The free courses run by Factory International at Manchester's flagship arts venue, Aviva Studios, teach skills such as production lighting, sound mixing and stage set design.

About 60% of the graduates have found paid work in the art sector, including some in Manchester venues including Co-op Live and the Science and Industry Museum.

Katy Egan-Daynes, who runs one of the courses, said their success showed "you don't need to go to London, it's going on here in Manchester".

The courses have been run by Factory International from inside Aviva Studios

The courses were launched under the name of Factory Academy in 2018 as part of efforts to address skill shortages, organisers said.

They include a teaching on backstage skills like rigging lights and sound engineering, creative business management, how to get an arts project off the ground, along with other technical skills.

Fletcher Davies-Rushton said the technical training was "invaluable"

Fletcher Davies-Rushton, from the Kirkholt estate in Rochdale, completed the theatre course and found work on the Sweet Dreams show, which was shown at Aviva Studios.

"To come in and do my first shift on Sweet Dreams was quite nerve-wracking but it was so exciting," the 23-year-old said.

"The vast amount of equipment, manpower and time that goes into making the show is immense.

"I'm very lucky that I got that - it's just invaluable experience for me."

Katy Egan-Daynes is a Programme Manager at the Factory Academy

Ms Egan-Daynes, who runs a course for artists about managing creative projects, said help was on hand for "anyone who wants to learn about how to make art possible".

"Our students can learn about being a freelance artist and how they can apply for grants," she told BBC Radio Manchester.

"We're also trying to link with arts organisations across Greater Manchester.

"There's a real hunger and energy to find ways into the industry."

Sean-Marco Msipha is an actor and a student at the Factory Academy

Sean-Marco Msipha, an actor from Lower Broughton in Salford, signed up for a technical skills course because he wanted to get more backstage theatre experience.

The 26-year-old said he felt he "lacked a lot of practical skills in the theatre".

"Putting on a show is so complicated, with stage managers, lighting technicians, costume designers and sound engineers.

"Further ahead, I just want to act, act, act. Performing just makes everything in life a million times better."