Sky and MAMA Youth launch award-winning digital media training in Manchester

Thursday 13 April 2023

Six-week intensive programme provides practical experience in digital media content creation
Targeted at 18-30-year-olds, the programme aims to tackle digital inequality and provide educational and employment opportunities.

Applications are now open for Sky and MAMA Youth Project’s bespoke, award-winning digital media training in Manchester. The six-week intensive programme will launch for the first time in Manchester at the University Academy 92, Old Trafford from July and is targeted at 18–30-year-olds who may have limited educational or employment opportunities. Successful applicants will receive training from a production company and learn vital skills needed for careers in the media industry.

"Sky’s partnership with MAMA Youth is focused on unlocking opportunities for young people in Manchester. The digital media training programme helps young people to gain the vital skills required to get started and succeed in the media industry. I’m proud of our partnership with MAMA Youth and that Sky supports young people to fulfil their potential.”

Dana Strong

Sky’s Group CEO

MAMA Youth Project’s unique training model provides practical hands-on experience in digital media content creation while working at Licklemor Productions. Participants will finish the training with a working knowledge of the multi-disciplinary skills required for employment in the industry. In addition to digital skills needed for the production, participants will also gain CV tailoring skills, interview technique advice, career mentorship and peer networking opportunities.

Upon completion, trainees will become MAMA Youth Project Alumni and join a prestigious talent pool, providing benefits such as a minimum of six months professional Talent Manager support, industry professional mentoring and access to apply for jobs with industry partners such as Sky.

The Alumni network includes Dominic O’Neill, now a Production Coordinator for Sky Original Productions and Sky Original Film. MAMA Youth’s training programme provided Dominic with the training and skills he needed to secure a career in the media industry, once he had finished the programme, he joined Sky. Dominic said of the training "We had technical and theory experience and learning how the structure of productions work. It was such a fast-paced environment.... I was just so shocked how much I learned in a short amount of time.”

MAMA Youth Project, CEO & Founder, Bob Clarke said: "Building on over ten years of partnership, Sky is committed to helping MAMA Youth Project bring its impactful training opportunities to underserved communities across the UK as part of Sky Up, Sky’s £10 million commitment to tackle digital inequality."

To apply, please visit: https://www.mamayouth.org.uk/training/digital-media-training-manchester-based

MAMA Youth Project are calling on local media companies in Manchester to get involved by offering paid opportunities to programme alumni and can contact info@mamayouthproject.org.uk to participate.

Notes to editors

For more information please contact:

matt.palutikof@sky.uk

Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies and is part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company that connects people to moments and experiences that matter.  
We’re famous for innovation. We offer streaming services NOW and WOW; the world’s smartest TV, Sky Glass; Sky Stream, the new, easy way to get the Sky Glass experience on any TV; and the best aggregation platform, Sky Q. We provide connectivity you can count on in mobile, and fast, secure, reliable residential and business broadband.  
We’re Europe’s premium content producer. We create award-winning original content, produce the biggest live sporting events, and we provide free access to news and the arts.  
We believe that we can have a positive impact on society, by supporting and creating tens of thousands of jobs, addressing digital inequality, being a diverse and inclusive employer, and becoming net zero carbon by 2030.  
Sky launched its ambition to address digital exclusion in April 2022 with a three-part initiative designed to tackle digital inequality and provide support to a quarter of a million digitally excluded people through a new dedicated £10m fund.   
The initiative, Sky Up, supports people to succeed in a digital age, ensuring that those who are most at risk of being digitally excluded are given access to the right skills, technology, and connectivity.

MAMA Youth Project is a registered charity specialising in TV production.
Set up to provide training and opportunities to young people from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic groups; White Working Class, disadvantaged backgrounds, those of any background that have faced trauma or a major challenge, and those with limited education or employment who have a passion for TV or the media industry, as well as those who simply want to change their lives for the better.
The charity is committed to working within the media to help achieve the industry's frequently stated aim of becoming more diverse and therefore more representative of the audiences they serve.
Previous awards include The Princess Royal Award, RTS Award, and Business in the Community Award. The charity’s commercial arm Licklemor Productions recently won a Bafta for the first ever spoken word programme, Life and Rhymes on Sky Arts.
To date, MAMA Youth Project has helped more than 700 young people change their lives and become role models for those who are facing life challenges such as homelessness, mental health issues, ex-offender and abuse. The project positively impacts young people, industry and society with 96 per cent of young people in fulfilling employment one year after completing the training.

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