Why employers host a Generation Hull apprentice

Hull's creative and cultural sector runs on people who know how to do more than one job at once. Apprentices bring fresh energy into organisations that are often stretched thin, and in return they get a genuine first step into the industry. Here's what three of our host organisations have to say about the experience, and what their apprentices have actually been getting stuck into.

Freedom Festival

Freedom Festival is Hull's flagship free outdoor arts festival, bringing large-scale performance and spectacle to the city each year. Their apprentice, Dylan, has spent the past month deep in the practical groundwork a festival needs long before the public ever see it: researching city centre accommodation for visiting artists and crew, building spreadsheets to track pricing and locations, and pulling together tech sheets for upcoming shows. He's also taken on managing the rehearsal space and has been leading more team meetings, building the kind of confidence that only comes from doing it for real.

Lorna Fulton, Executive Director at Freedom Festival:

"Our Generation Hull apprentice has been an asset from day one, bringing enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a real willingness to learn. They've settled into the team brilliantly and have added genuine value to our organisation. We'd absolutely recommend a Generation Hull apprenticeship to any young person looking to take their first step into the world of work."

Middle Child

Middle Child is one of Hull's leading theatre companies, known for bold, original new writing. Their apprentice, Molly, has spent the month helping prepare the company's new venue for opening, from ordering stock and building welcome packs to printing scripts and adjusting them on the fly for the cast. She's also supported costume and set by sourcing second-hand pieces, and has picked up marketing work, creating short-form video content for social media. She moves across to Hull Truck Theatre in October to continue her placement there.

Sarah Penney, Senior Producer at Middle Child:

"Having a Generation Hull apprentice at Middle Child has been a brilliant opportunity to nurture the next generation of creatives and receive additional support for our business. A Generation Hull Apprenticeship isn't just about work experience, it's about showcasing your creativity, learning more about arts and culture in the city and meeting like-minded people. I'd highly recommend this apprenticeship to anyone looking for a career in the creative industries."

Artlink

Artlink is a Hull-based gallery and studio space supporting artists and community-led creative work. Their apprentice, Emily, has spent the month closing out one exhibition and building the next, from helping run a live deinstall event to painting the gallery for days on end ahead of a new show. You can read more about Emily's placement in full in our apprentice spotlight.

Lindsey Alvis, Creative Director and CEO at Artlink:

“Not everyone grows up believing art is for them and Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery exists to change that. Partnering with Generation Hull on their Fight for our Creative Futures apprenticeship programme has helped us to create this change. Delivering on our commitment to creating inclusive, accessible pathways to creative careers, hosting an apprentice has helped us nurture emerging talent, while our apprentice has brought fresh ideas, energy and enthusiasm to our small part-time team. We can’t recommend the programme enough and wouldn’t hesitate to host apprentices again in future”

The demand is there

The strength of these placements shows in the numbers. Our latest round of apprentice recruitment, across roles at Hull Truck Theatre, Hull Music Service and Humber Street Gallery, brought in 90 applications between three organisations. That's a lot of talented young people in Hull actively looking for a way into the sector, and not enough host organisations yet to meet them.

If your organisation works in Hull's creative or cultural sector and you've got the capacity to bring someone in, host support, and structure to give, a Generation Hull apprenticeship is a straightforward way to build your team and shape the future of the industry at the same time. Get in touch to find out what hosting looks like.