The nine Nettl Cadets, who began their placements in January, have been given a live design brief for TPC’s new website, with the cadet who delivers the best brief to be given the chance to implement the design.
Operating from Nettl’s 230sqm Birmingham Business Store, the Nettl Cadets project gives successful applicants the opportunity to experience a real-life professional studio environment straight after graduation, and work on live projects with the oversight of experienced creative and print experts.
The winning entrant will receive a Print Futures Award, while each of the remaining cadets will be eligible to apply for one. Closing date for the awards, which are run in partnership with TPC, is at the end of this month.
TPC chief executive Neil Lovell said: “One of the things we’ve been trying to do is give some live experiences to young people who are either transitioning from education to employable skills or who are already training in an environment and could do with some extra help and support.
“Nettl was a good example for us, it is also outside of London, which is handy, and it is a really good opportunity for us to work with a group of cadets on a live brief.
“The reason Nettl have set up their academy is the recognition to bridge that gap between university and practical skills. There’s nothing better really than gaining practical skills on top of knowledge so I think it’s an important extra addition to get into work really.”
Chris Lowe, Nettl’s unofficial ‘head professor of Nettl Academy’, said he believed the opportunity presented to cadets was vital to progress their learning and development.
“Most students don’t get the opportunity to work on live briefs for clients, let alone a live project that will actually go on to be used by TPC,” he said.
A second round of Nettl Cadets will join an academy in Manchester later this year.
Nettl, which recently announced that it had signed up its 100th Nettl partner, last month launched its Nettl Now same day delivery service.
