Andrew Bryce, 18 from Charlfield has just landed the role as apprentice to GMG member Peter Georgi, head of Halo Films, Berkeley

Andrew began as the Web Assistant at the prestigious film company earlier this month.

Peter, an award winning film maker, was enthusiastic: ‘The apprenticeship is a great opportunity and we’ve chosen Andrew out of dozens of applicants. Andrew brings a fresh perspective which will help our company to develop and at the same time working here will help him to grow. It’s doubly satisfying to give an opportunity to a local person.

“The good thing about the Apprenticeship is that I can get somebody in to perform the web and marketing development role for me at reasonably low cost and risk. The fact that there is a credible training partner involved has reassured me about taking somebody on who is so new to the industry."

Skillset, the creative industries sector skills council, developed this Creative and Digital Media Apprenticehsip in response to industry needs. Cirencester College, which is part of the Skillset Media Academy, is piloting the scheme in the South West.

Andrew started making videos in his spare time when he was 14, using any software he could get his hands on, but it wasn’t until he went to Cirencester College to study a BTEC in Media Production that he realised that it was possible to develop a creative career. Keen to get started in the world of work, but seeing that living in the countryside could be a disadvantage for him in his search for a media role, Andrew had begun to look for any job he could get his hands on. So when he saw the Apprenticeship advertised for a film company down the road, he jumped at the chance.

At college, Andrew worked on websites and videos, developing the technical skills that eventually qualified him for the Apprenticeship at Halo Films. Cirencester College also had a policy of bringing industry professionals in to set briefs for students and so Andrew became used to thinking digitally and commercially.

“With the Apprenticeship, I may not be earning loads and loads but I will develop contacts and experience – I’ll get to know my way around the industry. And if things go well, there may well be a permanent job for me here at Halo at the end.”

“If you want to become an Apprentice, my tip is to research the company and work out what they need and how you can help them. Life is too short to not go for what you want. Be confident and eventually you will get there.” says Andrew

“At Cirencester College we are delighted firstly to be working with Halo Films on the apprenticeship scheme an secondly because Andrew, one of our former students, has been chosen to be the apprentice’, said Andy Freedman, Head of Media at the College.

For further information please contact Desna McAll dkm@cirencester.ac.uk or Andy Freedman amf@cirencester.ac.uk 01285 640994