Sage Gateshead

Sage Gateshead is a music centre and charity in the North East, and one of the largest cultural organisations in the country with 500 staff in administration, orchestra, music teaching, leadership, front of house and back of hour work.

They partnered with Gateshead College to create inclusive entry routes into the sector by building relationships with smaller creative venues and supporting them to take on apprentices. The aim was to offer inclusive apprenticeships in a wide range of cultural organisations in the region.

They employed a designated Apprenticeship Coordinator to offer tailored support to partner venues, for example, by helping them understand the job requirements and process for taking on apprentices. They also launched an inclusive recruitment campaign, which highlighted the benefits of apprenticeships and was shared by a broad base of networks within Newcastle Gateshead. In addition, candidates were offered a phone call before applying to ask any questions.Over 30 organisations have now collaborated as part of the initiative, and more than 100 apprentices have benefitted from the combined effort.