Gloucestershire College has recently been named as a Founder College of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural. As part of a network of 20 hand-selected Further Education Colleges across England, through the National Academy the College will seek to deepen relationships with employers and practitioners for the benefit of students and ultimately the Creative and Cultural sector.

Joining its existing Skillset Media Academy Partner status; Gloucestershire College is now one of just three FE colleges in the South of England and one of only five in the UK to boast this double academy status.

The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural operates as an industry-led membership organisation. Its main aim is to develop the delivery of industry-approved standards, training and related skills through their network of creative and cultural employers and education and training providers.

From April 2012, the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural will join the Arts Council’s National Portfolio of funded organisations, receiving a grant of £400,000 per year from 2012/13 to 2014/15. With this funding support the Skills Academy will work with leading organisations to provide young people with opportunities for training and employment in the arts, through programmes such as apprenticeships in the creative and cultural sector.

Alison Knapman, Director of the Arts and Media Academies at the College said; “We are delighted to have been named as a Founder College of the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural. This accreditation gives the college and our students a real advantage in a highly competitive employment market.

“We are dedicated to developing professional skills through our courses which are tailored to the needs of the creative and cultural industries. Students leave us with practical industry related skills and experience, as well as life membership of the most important industry body in the sector. Our double academy status will further strengthen our links with industry for the benefit of our students.”