Entertainment Industry Apprenticeship Program trains Chicago apprentices for film and tv careers – Austin Weekly News

Report on the Entertainment Industry Apprenticeship Program and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Fostering Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth

A new initiative in Chicago, the Entertainment Industry Apprenticeship Program, has been established to create direct career pathways for teens and young adults into the film and television sectors. Launched by Hollywood producer Denita Patterson through her organization Destiny Outreach, the program is designed to provide hands-on training and professional placements. This report analyzes the program’s structure and its significant alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning education, economic growth, and inequality reduction.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The program’s core mission directly supports the achievement of key SDGs by addressing systemic barriers to entry in the creative industries.

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The initiative provides inclusive and equitable quality vocational training. Through industry-level workshops and professional development, it equips youth with relevant technical and creative skills, directly contributing to Target 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth and adults with skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By offering paid placements and comprehensive training, the program promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. It directly addresses Target 8.6 by seeking to reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET) and providing a clear pathway to decent work in a high-growth industry.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The program is explicitly designed to open doors for young creatives who have historically faced barriers to access. By creating opportunities for underserved youth, it works towards Target 10.2, which calls for empowering and promoting the social and economic inclusion of all.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The apprenticeship operates under the umbrella of the Destiny Outreach’s Dreams and Destiny Program, which is centered on a comprehensive development model.

1. Curriculum Focus: The curriculum is built on the principle of “finding, fighting for, and fulfilling your dream,” which is integrated with personal, professional, and workforce development modules.
2. Expert-Led Training: Apprentices receive instruction from established industry professionals. Notable workshops include an interactive writers’ room exercise with writer/producer Sylvia Jones and an acting workshop with actor Charles Gardner.
3. Practical Experience: The program emphasizes hands-on application of learned skills. The inaugural cohort completed 55 hours of training before being placed in paid summer jobs for 100 to 200 hours, ensuring a direct link between education and employment.

Outcomes and Participant Impact

The program has demonstrated immediate success and positive impact on its participants, contributing to a more skilled and diverse local workforce.

Key Outcomes

• The first cohort successfully graduated 21 apprentices.
• A second cohort of 26 apprentices was launched, indicating program growth and demand.
• Participants gain invaluable industry connections, addressing a primary barrier to entry in the entertainment field.
• The paid apprenticeship component provides economic support, making the training accessible and aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work).

Participant Testimonials

• Participants report that the program “demystifies” the industry, making careers feel more attainable and providing clear, preparatory guidance that other training programs lacked.
• The combination of training and a paid apprenticeship component is highlighted as a key strength, allowing participants to apply their skills in a real-world setting while earning an income.
• Apprentices emphasize the value of the network and support system provided, which is crucial for navigating the industry, thereby reducing inequalities of opportunity (SDG 10).

Founder’s Vision and Local Economic Development

Founder Denita Patterson’s objective is to provide Chicago’s youth with the same early-career exposure and mentorship that shaped her own professional journey. By establishing this program in her native city, Patterson aims to foster local talent and create a sustainable ecosystem where young people can build successful careers without needing to relocate. This vision directly supports local economic development and contributes to building inclusive and resilient communities.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article discusses the “Entertainment Industry Apprenticeship Program,” which provides “industry-level workshops, professional development and paid placements.” This initiative is a form of vocational and technical training aimed at equipping young people with relevant skills for a specific industry, aligning directly with the goal of promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The program’s core mission is to give “Chicago teens and young adults… a direct path into film and television careers.” By offering “hands-on training” and “paid placements,” it directly contributes to promoting productive employment and decent work for youth. The article highlights that participants “get paid for showcasing their skills,” which supports economic growth and provides valuable work experience.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The program is designed to “open doors that many young creatives have long struggled to access.” It was created by a “South Side native” to provide opportunities for “Chicago’s young people” so they “don’t have to leave Chicago to chase their dreams.” This focus on providing access and support to youth who may lack industry connections addresses inequality by promoting social and economic inclusion.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The article details how the program provides apprentices with “hands-on experiences,” “professional skills,” and training in areas like writing, producing, and acting to prepare them for careers in the entertainment industry.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The program specifically targets “teens and young adults” and moves them from a state of seeking experience into a structured program that combines training (“55 hours”) with paid work (“summer jobs for 100 to 200 hours”), directly addressing the issue of youth not being in employment, education, or training (NEET).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age… or other status. The program empowers young people from Chicago, including those from the “West Side,” by providing them with the connections and support needed to enter an industry where “who you know” is critical. It aims to level the playing field for those who felt they were “going in alone.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Number of youth enrolled in and completing the vocational training program: The article explicitly states that the “first cohort graduated 21 apprentices” and the “second cohort… includes 26 apprentices.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of the program’s reach and its contribution to providing vocational skills (relevant to Target 4.4).
• Number of participants in paid placements: The article mentions that after training, apprentices are “placed in summer jobs for 100 to 200 hours.” Tracking the number of apprentices who successfully secure these paid positions serves as an indicator of the program’s effectiveness in transitioning youth into employment (relevant to Target 8.6).
• Hours of training and paid work provided: The article specifies “55 hours of training” and “100 to 200 hours” of paid work. These figures can be used as indicators to measure the intensity and scale of the workforce development intervention.
• Demographic and geographic background of participants: The article mentions the founder is a “South Side native” and participants are from “Chicago’s West Side.” Tracking the participation of youth from various Chicago communities, particularly those that are underserved, can serve as an implicit indicator of progress towards reducing inequalities and promoting inclusion (relevant to Target 10.2).

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: austinweeklynews.com