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Hidden and Livity launch talent programme OPEN_ with founding partners LEGO
OPEN_ possibilities, OPEN_ opportunities, OPEN_ for all.
The replacement to the grad scheme for the creative + tech industries!

Talent and culture consultancy, Hidden and specialist youth consultancy and studio, Livity have teamed up to create a new programme for early careers talent with a focus on tackling the diversity crisis within the creative and marketing industries.

The programme launches on Monday 18th January 2021, with founding partners LEGO, and will see exceptional young talent placed in roles across creative and production.

“Working with exceptional creative talent every day at Livity, we have the privilege of being able to access next gen talent who have often dismissed the traditional creative industry in favour of going it alone. It’s precisely this kind of talent which will enable our industry to innovate and solve the problems we are facing today as marketers and as human beings. We’re excited to build on a 10 year heritage of first class industry led training with this partnership.” says Alex Goat, Chief Executive of Livity.

The creative industries are often unable to access this talent, to include them and take that next gen into leadership positions. Historically this has led to severe lack of representation in agencies and creative businesses with just 13.7% of employees coming from an ethnic minority background. * OPEN seeks to address not only the access to outstanding next gen talent, but also work with its partners to include and retain them moving forward.

It’s this opportunity that Emma Perkins, Head of the LEGO Agency EMEA and her team saw; “At the LEGO Group we’re committed to building a diverse organisation with a unique sense of belonging, to reach and inspire every child in the world. The LEGO Agency is excited to partner with OPEN as they share our passion to create inclusive workplaces for talent to thrive, no matter where they come from or who they are. This last year has been particularly challenging for emerging talent to gain industry experience, so we’re looking forward to helping our interns turn their passion for creativity into a rewarding career.”

OPEN’s mission is to replace the traditional graduate scheme for its partners, instead creating a pipeline of exceptional entry level talent who will be trained and ready for action. It breaks down the barrier to entry and looks to answer the problem that many businesses face in struggling to find and nurture the right people to build a diverse workforce.

Aspiring talent will get the opportunity to go on best in class training to build a repertoire of skills which will enable them to have fast starts in the 6-month internships with a knowledge and understanding of the work and environment that will allow them to thrive.

They will then have the opportunity to join ambitious businesses within the Creative and Marketing industries which will give them valuable experience working with some of the brightest and best minds to further their prospects.

In order to demonstrate a bigger commitment to change, progression and the nurturing of the talent they hire through the programme, OPEN_ will be strict on criteria for partners who wish to take part. “We will be auditing our partners to make sure that they are ready to embrace inclusivity and help the talent that comes out of our programme to thrive” says Richard Bloom, Co-founder of Hidden and OPEN_.

Part of this audit will include organisations being able to demonstrate that they are genuinely committed to being part of industry-wide change and challenge the way they have historically attracted and retained talent. The employers will also receive the training to tackle implicit bias as well as inclusive leadership strategies for the wider business.