Ant and Dec Bring Making it in Media to the North East

Ant and Dec returned home today - Monday 9 May – bringing their Making it in Media programme with the Prince’s Trust and Gateshead College to Newcastle.

Visiting The Trust’s Newcastle Centre, the TV duo met with eleven 16 to 25-year-olds from the North-East starting the two-week programme, which will identify, inspire and nurture the next generation of young talent from the region to start their careers in the media and entertainment industry.

Launched in London last summer for talented and creative young people who are struggling to find work, this third course is being delivered by Gateshead College and will provide those enrolled with expert training on topics such as editing, camera work, script writing and digital skills. They will also gain experience of putting on their own TV production, receive advice from industry experts and build their confidence and general skills for work.

The programme culminates with an afternoon of interviews at a Prince’s Trust Get Hired event at PROTO in Gateshead on Friday 27 May, and it is here where Ant and Dec are seeking the support of local businesses to offer opportunities to the next generation of homegrown talent.

Ant said: “Having been involved with The Prince’s Trust for more than 20 years and sharing in their passion for giving every young person the opportunity to succeed, we know what a crucial role securing a job plays in this. It can be tough to get your foot in the door of the media and entertainment industry without the right skills, contacts or confidence.

“That is why we developed our Making it in Media programme with The Trust last year, utilising our joint expertise to give 16 to 25-year-olds who are out of work or education a start to their careers in this industry."

Dec added: “"We are incredibly excited to be finally bringing this programme to our hometown of Newcastle and are looking for businesses to attend the Get Hired event and provide these brilliant, talented and enthusiastic local young people with a real foot in the door, whether it is through entry-level jobs or internship opportunities following a successful interview.

“By getting involved, businesses will not only have the opportunity to change the course of a young person’s life here in the North-East, but will also benefit from accessing the industry’s next generation of talent, energy and enthusiasm."

Interested businesses with relevant entry level jobs or internship opportunities in the digital, media and entertainment industries can find out how to get involved by contacting [email protected] at The Prince’s Trust.

The Prince’s Trust helps tens of thousands of young people each year to build the confidence and skills they need to realise their potential. The employability courses offered by The Trust give young people the confidence and practical support needed to stabilise their lives. Three in four young people on Prince’s Trust programmes move into work, education or training.