Skills festival could offer dream career
under 200 prosthetics to mould with the help of her husband James to create anything from boils and scars to deformed facial features, eye sockets, bullet holes and stitches.
This level of work makes the night a hectic battle to get every actor ready in time. With actors including students from Burton and South Derbyshire College and South Staffordshire College there are around 130 people to get ready in just over an hour leaving Julie relying on some of her initial face painting training.
“As a face-painter I am used to working under pressure and quickly,” she says. “When you have a line of kids all waiting and watching you you learn to be efficient and get the best look in the quickest time.”
It is these skills that she now uses to run workshops and teach students working at Screamfest to help in their own career development.
“It is great to pass on my knowledge and help others starting on their journey,” she says. “Some students come for work experience because they want to go in to theatre work, or be a make-up artist or even face-painter. The skills the event gives these students are immense and really help in their career progression as they can’t get that live experience anywhere else. I have had one student travel from Birmingham this year as she can’t get work experience in theatrical horror anywhere else.”
“I can’t imagine not doing this now,” she said. “It has become a part of me and my family’s life.” YOUNG people looking to enhance their job prospects are being invited to get help in finding a career.
The South Derbyshire Skills Festival will see hundreds of opportunities from a variety of organisations at Swadlincote’s Green Bank Leisure Centre on Wednesday, November 28.
The free event, which runs from 4 to 7pm, will allow 11- to 24-yearolds to learn more about industries such as construction, engineering, health, hospitality, lifestyle, digital, and technology.
Those who attend can turn their hands to “have a go” activities, including virtual welding, flight simulation, beauty and construction to help choose a future career path. Expert careers advice and work experience opportunities will also be on offer.
Councillor Martyn Ford, leader of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “The skills festival offers the perfect opportunity for 11- to 24-year-olds to connect with businesses and learn more about future careers in South Derbyshire and beyond. As well as enabling attendees to try something they have never done before, there will be a range of workshops for young people and their parents to find out more about apprenticeships, T-levels, employer expectations and much more besides.
“Information and guidance for all circumstances, from those who have left school/college to those looking for a job with training, will be catered for under one roof.”
Attendees will also be entered into a prize draw for an iPad Mini. To be in with a chance of winning, attendees should bring their invitation or a flyer.
The event, sponsored by IG Masonry Support, is organised by South Derbyshire District Council, Burton and South Derbyshire College, William Allitt School, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Jurys Inn, the Department for Work and Pensions and Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Collaborative Outreach Programme.