Elevate, the not-for-profit mentorship programme that has
supported and inspired nearly 2,000 event professionals since its inception
eight years ago, has launched Elevate NewGen, a brand new initiative
to provide equal access to the events industry for underrepresented talent aged
18-25.
NewGen is a free, three-month part-time
programme that includes mentoring, work experience, training, and a supportive
community. It aims to help provide career pathways that offer equal access into the
industry and help young people land a paid placement, apprenticeship or a
full-time job. It was activated at the UK Creative Festival in
Margate.
Evie Manuel, commercial director at Event Concept, and industry veteran
Peter Kerwood are leading the project.
Kerwood said: “Evie and I believe that
talent is distributed equally, but opportunities are not, and that’s damaging
to the events industry. It’s a problem that’s not going to fix itself, so
powered by the Elevate community, we’re going to do something about it.”
Jonathan Emmins,
Elevate advisory board member and founder and global CEO of Amplify, said:
"As we navigate turbulent times, with societal gaps ever widening, never
have we needed schemes such as Elevate NewGen more. The world is a lot easier
to navigate if someone shows you the map. I count myself incredibly lucky that
along my journey, people have willingly and freely offered guidance and
believed in me at those times when I most needed counsel or was doubting
myself. We all have a responsibility to both pass the baton on and to
collectively help level the playing field."
Applications to join
the NewGen programme are now open at http://elevateme.co/newgen. The course begins in
September.
