The Creative Industries’ new initiative ‘CIG Mentoring Scheme’ is a great way to nurture and encourage talent back to the island says JG Architecture Director James Gavey.
The development of this placement scheme is aimed primarily at students studying creative subjects at university, leaving full-time school or college education. Jay Aylmer, Co-Chair of Creative Industries Guernsey explained that the scheme was developed in response to an identified need for pathways from education to a creative career in Guernsey. Matching the students with employers in the relevant industry locally can help nurture and develop creative talent, and provide real experience of the working environment.
JG Architecture Director James Gavey is a supporter of the new initiative.
“It gives local students at university an opportunity to experience real working life in Guernsey in their chosen industry. There is sometimes a perception that certain opportunities are not available here, but this isn’t always the case. Working for smaller companies rather than large UK companies can provide a much richer experience as students will be involved a lot more in the day to day projects, they are certainly not just left in a corner filing. Being able to engage one-to-one with the current students at university provides an opportunity to nurture the talent that we do have locally, open communications and hopefully encourage them back to the island at some point.”
On behalf of CIG, Jay Aylmer added, “Participating firms have really embraced the idea of matching students and employers to facilitate positive experiences for both parties and we thank JG Architecture for their support in the scheme’s first year.”
The paid placements allow students to earn funds whilst gaining valuable experience in their chosen field.