Adland needs to start recruitment in year seven to help bolster diversity says I-Manifest founder
Advertising agencies could be offering full-time cadetships by the end of next year in a bid to recruit more diverse talent to the creative ranks, according to the founder of charity I-Manifest.
The pronouncement comes after the charity, founded three-and-a-half years ago to offer a link for students to the advertising industry, completed its latest set of placements working with 10 schools in Sydney’s west which have between 80 and 90 per cent of their students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
It comes at a time when there is an increased focus on the lack of diversity in agencies after the furore surrounding Leo Burnett Sydney’s ‘five white creatives’ press release.
Last week a group of 20 students completed a week of work experience at agencies across Sydney, but I-Manifest founder Joanna Pretyman, said next year she hoped to be offering the cadetships as the program continues to grow.
Simon is right, what happened? Years ago Adland used to be one of the finest training grounds for both graduates and high school leavers. Many of the top people we see in the industry today had their start on reception or serving coffee! Now they don’t like to train juniors because they do not have the time and believe they will put in all the hard work and the juniors will be stolen away. If all companies did their bit then the natural flow of up and coming hires of all ethnic backgrounds would increase across the board for everyone!