Pioneering studios and training for young people by young people.
Platfform is designed to support young people to develop skills for work and skills for life. Hosting our creative learning programme, it provides expert training, access to industry and space to practise and develop your work and networks.
A place to learn, make and grow, last year we also provided over 700 hours of space to young people and youth-led organisations, supporting them to fuel their futures. Our new studios will continue to be a catalyst for youth enterprise, acting as a springboard for the next generation’s future ambition.
Creative skills training
We offer over 20 free workshops, courses and digital learning experiences in the areas of Performance, Music Production, Radio and Digital XR. We have seen 170 young people benefit from over 300 hours of training with industry experts.
Co-designed with young people, our courses are led by notable creative professionals, giving young people unrivalled access to industry knowledge and networks and professionally recognised skills and advice to help them take the next steps on their creative journey.
Delivery partners include Screen Alliance Wales, ProMo-Cymru, BFI and Welsh Games Academy.
Technical apprenticeships
We deliver accredited training with our partner Cardiff and Vale College. Open to anyone aged 16 and over, our shared apprenticeship scheme trains and nurtures the next generation of theatre technicians, investing in the future skills and longevity of the sector. Our graduates have gone on to a wide range of roles in the theatre and events industry here in Wales and across the world.
Technical Apprentices collectively gain 11,000+ paid hours of hands-on technical theatre experience and a Level 3 certification in Technical Theatre, enabling them to build connections and networks to support a longer-term career in the industry.
Watch a film with previous apprentice Bethany Davies and hear her story.
Our Junior Apprenticeships offer a broader introduction to the creative arts. They are aimed at young people aged 14–16 who are not in, or struggle to access, formal education.
Fourteen young people at risk of falling out of the education system have now benefitted from in-depth mentoring and gained creative skills that ignite new opportunities for life and work.
All the individuals who have participated in this programme have progressed on to further education pathways.
Creative Spaces
We believe that safe creative spaces are fundamental to supporting young people to reach their potential.
We have been working with young people over the last few years to develop plans for our new Platfform studios, which will include performance space, digital labs, music production facilities and a new radio station and will enable over 10,000 young people to connect, learn and grow together.
Operated entirely by young people, from the producing and presenting of live shows to the marketing and social media, Radio Platfform gives 14–25-year-olds a platform to build their confidence, find their voice and express themselves.
Last year over 80 people completed our accredited radio production course and the station produced over 1,200 broadcasts and facilitated over 100 hours of training and workshops with external organisations.
Career mentoring
We provide opportunities to connect with sector professionals through mentoring, networking events and workshops to offer a pathway to industry.
We can provide support and advice to access work opportunities or further learning pathways. Last year we provided 11 paid roles for young people within our creative spaces and programmes.
We also support a place on the Future Generations Leadership Academy, facilitate opportunities to see work and visit industry events like the Hay Festival and FOCUS Wales and support young people to create their own events with professional support through programmes like lockoff at Llais.
Youth experiences
One of the ways we engage with young people is by inviting them to explore our spaces and their creativity through events and experiences co-created by them. Last year over 7,000 young people were inspired through 1,145 sessions.
Our annual Dros Nos sleepover event invites youth groups and community organisations to spend 24 hours with us trying out new creative skills, watching an original production, hearing from creatives and connecting with others over a silent disco.
Our Valleys Kids partnership event Life Hack provides 16–25-year-olds with a jam-packed, inspirational day of workshops and mentoring with creative professionals that helps young people navigate their first steps in the sector.