Tag: opportunities

Scottish talent invited onto a global stage at the Edinburgh International Festival

  • The International Festival searches for 26 talented dancers to join Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on stage and five pre-professional musicians to join the Mendelssohn Octet in an audition judged by Festival Director Nicola Benedetti.
  • 12 Scotland-based dance artists are invited to take part in a week of artistic development with performers of Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring / common ground[s].
  • Other opportunities to get involved with the International Festival include the London Symphony Orchestra playing for patients and staff in hospitals, flagship Culture Club events in community centres and young people will get the chance to meet The Late Show’s bassist, Endea Owens, in a Youth Takeover Day.
  • To apply visit: https://www.eif.co.uk/jobs.

As part of the 2023 Edinburgh International Festival programme, the International Festival is providing three exciting paid opportunities for dancers and musicians based in Scotland to collaborate with major artists, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Base and in a performance of the Mendelssohn Octet.

Each artist will be paid, with travel and accommodation provided, to open the opportunity for equal participation. These projects were made possible by the support of the International Festival’s Learning & Engagement Partner Baillie Gifford Investment Managers.

In partnership with the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the International Festival has created a major professional development opportunity for a diverse and dynamic cohort of 26 emerging dancers aged 18-25 who live in, were born in or trained in Scotland, to rehearse at Edinburgh College with the company and perform in the Alvin Ailey classic  Memoria, on stage at the Festival Theatre on 24 and 25 August.

In mid-May, the Festival will also be inviting applications from pre-professional string players (three violins, one viola and one cello) through an open international audition process for the Mendelssohn Octet.

Musicians will be selected by Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti, to work with Stefan Jackiw, Jessica Bodner and Sterling Elliott, culminating in an onstage performance in the Festival’s home on the Royal Mile, The Hub, on 10 August.

Outside of the August festival period from 24 – 28 July, the Festival is partnering with Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, to find 12 Scotland-based dance artists to take part in a week of artistic development and workshops with performers from The Rite of Spring / common ground[s].

The dance work premiered at Sadler’s Wells in 2022 and marks the first-time Pina Bausch Foundation (Germany), École des Sables (Senegal) and Sadler’s Wells (UK) have collaborated. At least 25% of the places will be allocated to artists who identify as d/Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent. This opportunity is supported by the British Council.

In a collaboration with two Belgium-based award-winning puppetry and mime companies, Focus Company and Chaliwaté Company, the International Festival will continue to match artists in a sharing of artistic skills by hosting a professional development workshop with Imaginate and Puppet Animation Scotland, ahead of the UK premiere of their work Dimanche.

Caroline Donald, Head of Learning & Engagement at Edinburgh International Festival said: “We are delighted to share these projects that we work on year-round to connect with people of all ages across Edinburgh, with our values of discovery, connection and internationalism at the heart of each opportunity. 

“By welcoming schools and community groups to International Festival performances, we hope to help people get involved in the arts, be inspired by artists and art forms they might never have come across before and feel part of what we at Edinburgh International Festival do. We may be international, but we are firmly rooted in Edinburgh.”

Alongside the performance and development opportunities, there are also several opportunities for children and young people to engage with the International Festival. 

On the 23 August, young people will be joined by bassist Endea Owens in a Youth Takeover Day, in partnership with 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, to explore her commission, and will be invited to The Hub to watch her performance.

Opera Project will return in June to secondary schools across the city, this year exploring the International Festival’s performance of Mozart classic The Magic Flute. A version of the opera will tour schools, with participating pupils offered free tickets to attend the Scottish Chamber Opera’s performance during the Festival.

After the summer holidays, the classes will then be invited to see Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle, with the International Festival working with Sight Scotland and the Royal Blind School to create a bespoke, sensory version for their pupils.

Punchdrunk Enrichment’s The Lost Lending Library will welcome groups of children from ten community groups across the city during the summer holidays, with follow-up immersive storytelling workshops. Stories from the children written during the workshops will be collected and shared, creating a legacy for The Lost Lending Library beyond the Festival.

For people of all ages, the LSO in the NHS Project will bring London Symphony Orchestra players into The Royal Edinburgh Hospital, The Royal Infirmary, The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and The Western General over the 14-16 of August.

LSO players will perform in closed wards, staff wellbeing spaces, and larger, open spaces for patients, staff and visitors. In addition, 100 tickets will be given to NHS staff to attend the LSO’s performance of The Road to Turangalila, presented by Nicola Benedetti and Sir Simon Rattle on 18 August. The project is supported by Tonic Arts, the Arts and Wellbeing leg of the NHS Lothian Charity.

Culture Clubs will bring together different communities in Edinburgh together to share a meal and enjoy a range of artistic performances from the International Festival programme. This year, there will be four Culture Clubs as part of 2023 Festival programme with the first ever BSL Culture club being hosted by Deaf Action. Endea Owens has already been confirmed as a performer for one date. 

For full information on these projects and further information on how to apply, please visit: https://www.eif.co.uk/jobs

Collective: New opportunities

Satellites Programme 2023

Satellites is Collective’s development programme for emerging creative practitioners based in Scotland. In 2023, four creative practitioners at a pivotal point in their practice will be selected to participate in a peer development programme.

The programme includes discussions, workshops, events, retreats and public presentations of new work.

> Find out more and apply now!

Deadline: Monday 8th May, 5pm.

Collective Play Lead Artist

As part of our Collective Play programme, we are excited to invite emerging artists and practitioners with an interest in child-led approaches to play, nature and the outdoors to submit a proposal for our Lead Artist opportunity.

The Lead Artist will devise and deliver one year of Friday Play sessions, as well as one Play Weekend.

> Find out more and apply now!

Deadline: Monday 15th May, 5pm.

Choose your future at Edinburgh College Course Clearing Event

People seeking to take the next step in their education journey are encouraged to attend Edinburgh College’s course clearing event being held at its Granton Campus this Friday (12 August).

The event, which runs from 11am until 3pm, provides prospective students of all ages with the opportunity to speak to lecturers about their options following the release of exam results this week and to secure a place on a course for session 2022/23.

Those who would like to change their original choice of course, or have not yet made an application for College but would like to study this year, are also invited to get advice about study options for the new academic session.

Edinburgh College delivers a wide range of courses across the following areas: Creative Industries; Engineering and Built Environment; Health Wellbeing and Social Sciences; and Tourism, Hospitality and Business. Courses are delivered in variety of study modes including full-time, part-time, day and block release, with a return to campuses the focus for the College in 2022/23.

Student Services staff will also be on hand to provide advice on funding options and access to learning support.

As well as the in-person clearing event, the Edinburgh College course clearing line will also be open for applicants and prospective students to call on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week (9, 10 and 11 August) from 9am until 4pm.

The clearing line gives a further opportunity to discuss applications and courses ahead of the new term. The course clearing line is 0131 297 8500.

Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford, said: “The new academic session is fast approaching and clearing day is an important time for applicants and prospective students to firm up their plans for the year ahead.

“I would encourage anyone who is unsure about their existing application or is thinking of starting a new course in 2022/23 to come along and speak to our teams at Granton Campus, or to call our clearing line.

“Our College offers a vast and diverse range of courses, all delivered by expert teaching staff, which are geared towards equipping students with the skills they need to forge a successful career in their chosen field.”

SHE Scotland to hold Funders & Partners event

We are looking for like minded business, community groups, school leaders and charity owners to join us for our funders and partners night so we can work together to provide more opportunities for girls and young women.

This evening is a great opportunity for networking and explore potential synergies with other local groups.

The evening will be held on Thursday 26th May from 6-8pm in our space at 525 Ferry Road, EH5 2FF and will include talks from our members at SHE Scotland so you can find out more about what we do and how you can help us provide more opportunities for girls and young women.

This is a great opportunity for networking and we would love to see like minded business, community groups, school leaders and charity owners attend so please do spread this invite far and wide!

If you would like to come along, please do RSVP via the link below! We hope to see you there!

shescotland@outlook.com

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New report highlights poverty target challenges

The Fraser of Allander Institute has tday published a new report, jointly authored with @MMUPolicyEval & @PovertyAlliance, that explores some of the challenges and opportunities that the Scottish Government faces in meeting its Child Poverty Targets:

Around 1 in 4 children in Scotland live in relative poverty. This means they live in a
household with an income 60% below the UK median income after housing costs
have been deducted.

Child poverty can have serious and lifelong impacts across a range of outcomes,
and the Scottish Government have stated their aim to reduce significantly the
incidence of child poverty. The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 20172 includes a target
to reduce relative child poverty to 10% by 2030/31.

Meeting this target would represent an unprecedented reduction in child poverty to levels not seen in Scotland certainly since the early 1990s when the current statistical series began.

The purpose of the analysis in this report is to look at some of the large, national level, devolved policy levers that the Scottish Government could use to meet the
targets. We have focussed on childcare, employability programmes and social
security.

By analysing variations of these types of policies, and different combinations, this
analysis illustrates the scale of the impact on poverty and the associated costs and
benefits of different options.

We envisage that this will be helpful for policymakers and stakeholders who will be focused on developing actions for the next Tackling Child Poverty Delivery plan, due to be published by the Scottish Government by the end of March 2022.

Download a summary here.

November date for Andrew Fairlie Scholarship culinary competition

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has announced that the second annual Andrew Fairlie Scholarship will take place on Tuesday 16th November.  

The finals will see five talented chefs compete for the chance to become Andrew Fairlie scholars and take part in once-in-a-lifetime culinary experiences. 

Perth College UHI will host the skills test and judging portion of the day, with the winners’ announcement being made at Gleneagles. A teenage Andrew, encouraged by mentor Keith Podmore, enrolled in a City & Guilds course at Perth College UHI before following Podmore to London members club, Boodles, and eventually winning the first ever Roux Scholarship. 

The scholarship recognises two outstanding individuals each year – one male and one female – who are forging ahead with their culinary career and working in Scotland.  

The aspiring chefs in the running for the ‘ultimate scholarship’ in the industry include Josh Wilkinson, 26, who is currently working as Senior Chef de Partie at the Isle of Eriska Hotel.  

Chef de Partie at The Torridon Amy Stephenson, 22, has likewise made the final, as has Spud Henderson, 32, Chef de Partie at Craig Millar @ 16 West End. 

There are also two returning finalists from 2019’s competition – Ryan McCutcheon, 29, now Chef Patron at Achray House Hotel, and Peter Meechan, 24, Chef de Partie at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant.  

Spearheaded by HIT Scotland and supported by the First Minister, Scottish Government and Gleneagles, the scholarship was first launched in February 2019 in recognition of Andrew Fairlie’s significant and lasting contribution to the hospitality industry.  

In 2019, the scholarships were awarded to Emma-Rose Milligan from Kilmarnock and Joseph Harte from South Queensferry (top). 

David Cochrane, CEO at HIT Scotland, said: “After announcing the finalists last year, we are very much looking forward to seeing them in action next month.  

“This is a unique opportunity for these chefs working in Scotland to take on the mantle of Andrew’s legacy and experience some fantastic industry opportunities that will help develop their careers. Best of luck to all the finalists!” 

Stephen McLaughlin, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie Head Chef and lead judge, said: “We have had to wait a while for this year’s Andrew Fairlie Scholarship to come around and now that it is almost upon us, we are as excited and as privileged as ever to play our part in preserving and extending Chef Andrew’s legacy through nurturing and mentoring this year’s very talented finalists. 

“The finalists can expect a tough challenge to be laid out in front of them on Finals Day, but at the same time the day itself will be fun, educational and inspiring. We are delighted to be partnering the day with Perth College and are over the moon to add the college to the list of Andrew Fairlie Scholarship collaborators.” 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “After what has been an incredibly difficult year for our hospitality sector, it is heartening to see new and inspiring culinary talent emerging through this fantastic scholarship in honour of Andrew Fairlie.

“Throughout his life and career, Andrew did so much excellent work to inspire the next generation of ambitious, talented chefs in Scotland and this scholarship will contribute to his legacy. 

“It is great to see so many young, up-and-coming chefs aiming to benefit from the scholarship. They will all undoubtedly make their mark and contribute to a strong and sustainable recovery for Scotland’s hospitality sector.” 

Conor O’Leary, Managing Director at Gleneagles, commented: “We are enormously proud to support the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship, which provides an important platform for emerging talent and strengthens Scotland’s reputation as a centre for culinary excellence.   

“We very much look forward to hosting the finalists here at Gleneagles in November and are delighted to have the opportunity to continue working with HIT Scotland to ensure the culture that Andrew established is promoted and nurtured in the next generation of chefs.” 

Ype van der Schaaf, Sector Manager of Hospitality and Food Studies at Perth College UHI said: “On behalf of the team in Hospitality and Food Studies, we welcome the opportunity to host the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship final within our kitchens and facilities.

“We are ready to support HIT Scotland with the event and welcome the opportunity to involve our students to support the event and the finalists, giving them invaluable experience.” 

The chosen winners will gain industry-wide recognition as Andrew Fairlie Scholars and experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as a practical stage in an international kitchen and at Michelin star restaurants Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles and Core by Clare Smyth. 

NHS Scotland Academy launched

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has officially launched the new NHS Scotland Academy, backed by £9 million of investment to accelerate training and build the country’s health workforce.

As a collaboration between NHS Golden Jubilee and NHS Education for Scotland, the Academy will contribute to improving staffing levels to meet growing patient needs.

It will feature a mix of residential, distance and virtual reality learning, with a range of training programmes linked to recruitment, career progression and redesign of roles.

Mr Yousaf said: “The NHS Scotland Academy is part of our wider £1 billion commitment to health through the NHS Recovery Plan which will increase capacity, deliver reforms, and get everyone the treatment they need as quickly as is possible.

“Our workforce is at the heart of everything we do, and I want to express my sincere thanks for the continued courage, commitment and professionalism of all staff during this time.

“We have been clear that as a result of the pandemic our NHS will face challenges in the years ahead and the Academy will play a key role in supporting it to be well-equipped and prepared as we look to recover. We will publish a National Workforce Strategy later this year in which the Academy will be a key feature of designing, developing and delivering training programmes.

“This will also broaden opportunities for young people – in support of our Young Person’s Guarantee, alongside those who may be seeking a career change. This will enable them to receive on-the-job clinical training and a route to future career progression.”

The Academy has already started providing vital support and training to meet high demand health programmes. This includes a pilot perioperative nurse training programme which qualifies graduates to work in a theatre environment in just six months – when previously it would take a year.

Community pharmacists are being trained to support primary care services, by issuing prescriptions for specific conditions without the need for patients to see a GP.

NHS Golden Jubilee’s first nurse endoscopy graduates have taken up post this week, ensuring rapid diagnosis and treatment for a number of conditions, including cancer.

The Academy is also playing a vital role in supporting National Treatment Centres, to ensure NHS Scotland can meet the needs of Scotland’s ageing population through our overall commitment to recruit at least 1500 additional staff.

Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee Jann Gardner said: “The pandemic has made it clearer than ever the need to offer fast, efficient and effective access to training and education for health and social care staff.

“Drawing on the strengths of the Golden Jubilee’s state of the art facilities, and the educational expertise and technology offered by NHS Education for Scotland, the NHS Scotland Academy will support the workforce, and benefit the people of Scotland for years to come.”

Chief Executive of NHS Education for Scotland Karen Reid said: “Having the right staff with the right skills in the right place is fundamental to delivering the best health and social care outcomes. The pandemic has made us think about working in new ways and about making better use of technology.

“Our partnership in the new NHS Scotland Academy allows us to join up educational expertise and technology – enabling faster learning, and a more skilled workforce, for the people of Scotland.”

Involving young people in COP26

Opportunities to meet world leaders and climate activists

More children and young people will have the chance to get involved in COP26. A further £35,000 funding from the Scottish Government will increase the reach of initiatives from ReNew the World and Campaign Collective who organise events to meet world leaders and climate activists.

The funding will also support the Climate Changemakers programme from the Children’s Parliament, which will provide opportunities for children up to 14-years-old to share their ideas for tackling the climate crisis.

In July the Scottish Government announced £450,000 to support COP26’s Youth Climate Programme and a further £300,000 in September to fund the Conference of Youth.

Minister for Children and Young People Clare Haughey said: “Children and young people in Scotland are driving forward the cause for climate action and it is vital we listen to their views and harness their passion as part of COP26 and its legacy.

“We have now invested £950,000 to involve our children and young people in COP26 and the ongoing climate conversation. This will ensure they not only have a strong voice during the event, but also have a say in what should happen after.”

Director of ReNew the World Ewan Hunter said: “COP26 provides the opportunity for the world to look at the challenges we face on climate in a rational, but optimistic, positive, way. One based upon renewal, innovation and opportunity.  

“By creating the opportunities for engagement, we can give these young people the chance to write a very different story for their generation’s future and their vision of our collective journey to net zero.” 

Last month the Scottish Government announced £160,000 of funding for Local Authority Climate Champions. The programme is being delivered in partnership with Young Scot, YouthLink Scotland and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The Children’s Parliament will receive £15,000 to support their Climate Changemakers programme.

ReNew the World will receive £15,000 to host and film events for young people and high-profile influential political and business leaders.

Campaign Collective will receive £5,000 to support their events and shadowing opportunities.