The Minister was speaking at a conference for policy makers and youth and community groups, “Same role different part – Traditional Trades in the Creative Industries”, hosted by the West Belfast Partnership at Conway Mill.

The Minister said: “For many young people when they are considering their next step it is often a traditional career path such as joinery, hair dressing, hospitality and engineering. What they don’t realise is the potential for these trades within the creative industries. In fact in many cases the company owners and training providers don’t realise the potential for such links.

“The conference here in Conway Mill aims to highlight some of the many wide ranging opportunities the film industry can offer young people. When the film credits roll and after the names of the stars have gone we can see the wide range of professions involved in bringing the movie to the big screen. Along with the stars it is the make-up artists, camera men, set designers and electricians that play a part behind the camera. We need to highlight and identify these links in order to inspire young people to develop skills and careers within the creative industries.

“My Department has been working alongside the West Belfast Partnership Board to support community driven approaches to the creative industries. Within many communities there is still high unemployment, poverty and a legacy of under investment. These issues need to be re-addressed and by inspiring our young people to think differently about their career opportunities we can help to tackle inequality and social exclusion.

“Libraries, museums, the arts and other organisations play a key role in inspiring and supporting the emergence of creative ideas and people. By working together we can promote a wider creativity agenda, share ideas and make connections that can make a real difference to the lives of people and their communities.”

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/index/media-centre/news-departments/news-dcal/news-dcal-270313-ni-chuilin-highlights.htm