The number of young unemployed has just passed one million nationally with approximately one in five young people and 50% of all young black 16-24 year olds out of work. New figures from Office of National Statistics (ONS) show London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH), where Phakama is based, has the highest level of youth unemployment in London. The creative and cultural industries are one of the fastest growing industries in the UK, but they lack diversity with 93% of employees being white.

Phakama is responding to this challenge by creating a new training scheme focusing on the creative and cultural industries, which we will pilot over the next three years. The programme will give young people the opportunity to learn about production, project management, communications, design, fundraising and light and sound. They will also undertake work placements and internships, as well as produce their own arts events, gaining an accreditation at the end of the course.