SVGE education collaborator Ravensbourne highlights new Diversity Fund

A new UK creative industries training initiative from Creative Skillset, the Diversity Fund (England) is now open for bursary applications with regard to technology courses, as well as those specialising in leadership and management-related disciplines.

Under the new scheme – funded by the Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot (EOP2) – up to 900 bursaries of £1,200 maximum (£1,600 for people with disabilities) will be granted to help support and grow creative skills. Applicants should come from at least one of the selected under-represented groups – women, BAME, people with disabilities – while LGBT individuals belonging to any of these groups can also apply. In addition, an LGBT leadership programme developed with InterMedia and Stonewall is set to be introduced later this year.

Skills areas are not specified, but Ravensbourne is among those to be encouraging applications for training in skills that will enhance progression – among them advanced technical skills, leadership and management, business start-up, IP and entrepreneurial skills, and creative development roles.

Full details, guidelines and an online application form can be found at the Diversity funding page: https://creativeskillset.org/who_we_help/creative_professionals/funding_for_diversity.

Welcoming the scheme, Michael O’Sullivan – consultant to the BYOMA (Build Your Own MA) programme at Ravensbourne – told SVG Europe: “As technology drives change, and the need to improve your skills and keep them current becomes harder and more expensive any opportunity to offset some of the costs is welcome. The Creative Skillset Diversity Fund (England) that has just been launched offers industry professionals the chance to apply for up to 80% of the costs of training. As funding of this type is much less common than in the past I think it will see strong demand, so I would be checking to see if I was eligible and if so apply as soon as possible.”