Learn the skills employers need in 15 days.

On this three-week course you will:

• Learn what goes on behind the scenes at a major creative organisation.
• Develop self-confidence, resilience, leadership and other essential transferable skills.
• Complete a creative project set by an industry professional

Participants are also guaranteed an interview for a paid role in a creative organisation on successful completion of the course.

What our students say:

“The main aspect of the Academy I liked was that it allowed me to think about myself and what I have to offer in a way I have never done before; identifying what my core skills are and how to apply them in the creative industries. Also, the opportunity to meet so many great, like-minded people and connect with them on a professional and deeper level.”
Arthur Berry, BBC Radio Five Live trainee, Manchester

“In all my years of education working with presentations, I’ve never been taught to handle them as well as I have during this course. Not only that, it’s given me greater confidence in myself, my work and my skills. The extra drive I need to achieve my goals.”

Sophie Bell, Floor Runner, ITV Studios, Manchester

“Factory Academy gave me a push to aim high and value myself. This course has also taught me a great deal about leadership and shown me that I have the skills and drive to be a good leader. I'm really grateful to have been a part of it.”

Ronan Jamil Smith, Marketing Consultant, Cover People, Manchester

You can read more case studies from Future 15 alumni here.

Learn how to make a plan and execute it – on time, on budget, on point.

Project management is critical to the success of any creative endeavour. This six-week blended learning course will teach you how to define, develop and deliver a brief.

Expert tutors will cover all the key tools and skills, illustrated with real-life examples by guest speakers from across the creative industries.

Upon completion of the course you will have the opportunity to pitch your idea to an industry leader.

Course benefits:

• Identify the major components of any project.
• Define your vision and what you want to achieve.
• Learn how to make the ‘business case’ for your project and find out what funders look for in successful applications

What our students say:

‘It’s raised my game so much. I feel able to manage a creative project in detail, from a business perspective. I’ve learnt how to plan in maximum detail and to map out a process professionally.”
Jyothi Kuna, Festival Director, Altrincham Arts Festival

“Factory Academy has helped me to build a bridge between my creative practice and the industry, by teaching me how to take a project from concept through to outcome.”

Olivia, Office Assistant at Factory International

“The sheer amount of detail is terrific. The way we're able to put the theory into practice means learning the programme is much more enjoyable and the stakes feel real.”
Fraser Milward, Project Manager, Dig Media UK, Manchester

Develop essential skills with Manchester’s top creative companies and cultural organisations.

Gain an accredited qualification in areas such as broadcast & film production and content creation

These free eight-week programmes:

• Blend classroom training with online learning, industry guest speakers, field trips and self-directed study.
• Boost your practical skills and employability.
• Improve your critical thinking ability and other aspects of personal development.
• Take part in masterclasses delivered by industry professionals from creative or cultural organisations
• Challenge you to complete projects set by key industry figures, based on real-life scenarios.

“Having the opportunity to create content and, most importantly, be on a film set has helped open new doors in the industry and has brought me closer to what I want to do."

Ackeel Blake. Freelance Creative, Manchester

“I completed the Broadcast & Film Training Academy and got a BTEC out of it, was selected for a placement and then they invited me back. I’m now working full-time. There was nothing else that I had on my resume that could even get me close to a job like this.”

Daniel Goodchild, Technical Media and Coding Trainee at Toasted Productions, Manchester

“This programme showed me that anything is possible when you are given an opportunity and purpose, even when you are really bogged down in life”.

Beau Fildes, Freelance Creative, Manchester

Monthly sessions on must-know topics.

These drop-in sessions, exclusively for people who have complete a Factory Academy programme, focus on a popular topic or question. It could be anything from building your personal brand and getting better at networking, to acing your job application.

Free to attend either in person or online.

Learn what it takes to work as a Producer and build the foundations for a career in the industry.

As an Apprentice Producer you will work alongside the Factory International production team across a variety of creative venues in Manchester, including Factory International. Through a mixture of practical, digital and venue-based learning, you'll gain a host of skills and contacts to help you on your career path.

There are 10 opportunities for a 12 month paid apprenticeship available, and applications will open Spring 2023.

2 Apprentice Producers from the cohort will be offered full-time employment with us at Factory International and will work within the production team to bring some of the first works to our new word-class arts space.

In partnership with Power Up agency.