Designers plug in to scheme to help them recruit new talent

By Alistair Houghton on Jun 11, 09 08:00 AM

DESIGN firm Milky Tea has praised an industry support scheme that helped it recruit a new digital artist.
The Parliament Street firm took on Chris Cragg through Northwest Vision and Media (NWVM)'s Plug-in placements project to help people win one week to three-month on-the-job training placements in the industry.

The scheme sees NVWM market the posts, manage and sift and then fund half the trainee's pay. It also puts together a development plan for the trainee and helps them find an industry mentor.
Milky Tea is a group of designers, 3D visual effects artists, animators, illustrators that was founded in 2005.
It took on Chris Cragg, 28, on a Plug-in placement and offered him a full-time job once the placement was complete.
He now works on the Lloyds TSB advertising campaign, producing 3D illustrations and web animation.
Managing creative director Jonathan Holmes, said: "We were keen to take on budding digital artists, but financial limitations made it difficult for us to justify this.
"We were referred to the Plug-In Placement scheme and when Chris came on board, we were really impressed with the quality of his work. He has since developed his skills and become a well-respected and valued member of the team.
"Companies like ours thrive on having new talent working with them, so the Plug-in scheme offers an excellent opportunity to find that talent. We'll certainly be looking into the possibility of taking on additional trainees through this scheme."