Innovative artwork to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week
Shrewsbury residents can look forward to an innovative light projection display at buildings in the town between Monday 9 and Sunday 15 March, as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
From L to R: Brydie Lawless, Jo Haswell and Mike Read
County Training, is collaborating with Shrewsbury based new media artist Andy McKeown, to project images of Apprentices and employers onto the Market Hall and Shirehall to celebrate the positive impact Apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy. Also included in the projections will be positive messages, facts and figures about the training programme.
County Training, which is part of Shropshire Council, approached Andy, after seeing the visual impact his previous projects have had in the town.
Kate Gadd, Admissions and Marketing Manager for County Training, said:
“As part of our National Apprenticeship Week activities, we were keen to do something that would make a statement and clearly celebrate the success of Apprenticeships for Shropshire.”
“We would like to encourage people to come and have a look at what will be an informative, yet very exciting piece of art for Shrewsbury – it really has the ‘wow’ factor!”
The projections will be at Shirehall on Wednesday 11th March between 6.45 and 9pm and will take place at The Market Hall in the town centre for the full duration of the week. Moss Bros. are supporting the event, by hosting the projection at the Market Hall location. David Gough, Manager at the store, comments “Moss Bros. is really happy to support something which gives out such a positive message about Apprenticeships and aims to help both young people with their career options and local businesses. It is great to be involved and Andy’s work is a sight not to be missed!”
National Apprenticeship Week is a UK wide campaign to raise awareness of Apprenticeships. Since 2010, there have been over 2 million Apprenticeship starts in England, with 850,000 of these being in 2013/14. Whilst more and more 16-23 year olds are opting for this post-16 option, the week is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the difference Apprenticeships make to peoples careers and businesses here in Shropshire.
Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council Cabinet Member for children’s services, says:
“This is a great project and excellent way of celebrating all of the the aspirational young people we have on apprenticeships in the county. Anyone who is interested in apprenticeships, whether this is an individual or employer, should get in touch with County Training for further advice and guidance.”
Andy McKeown, is well known for his dramatic and immersive projections which can often be seen projected onto buildings and structures throughout the UK and across the world. As a new media artist, and programmer, his production company Wild Strawberry have created lightworks for York Minster, Chester Cathedral, Liverpool’s Metropolitan and Anglican Cathedrals and large scale immersive WW1 light installations at the Preston Cenotaph and the exterior of Nottingham Castle. Most recently and closer to home for the National Trust at Attingham Park for the Snowdrop Evening Walks in February.
Anyone who wishes to find out more about the County Training National Apprenticeship Week project, or would like to learn more about Apprenticeships, should contact the training provider on 0345 6789023 or email countytraining@shropshire.gov.uk. Images and messages, will also be posted on the County Training Facebook and Twitter pages for the week, along with updates on the projection project.
County Training offers Apprenticeships in the following areas:
- Business and Administration
- Brewing
- Childcare
- Computer Aided Design
- Customer Service
- Hair and Beauty
- Health and Social Care
- Horse Management
- Hospitality and Catering
- IT
- Motor Vehicles
- Management
- Teaching Assistant
- Warehouse and Storage
To apply visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/apprenticesapplication.
