YouTube personality Amelia Dimoldenberg is relaunching her Dimz Inc. Academy for a second year, expanding the program from one week to four. The academy is designed to equip young people aged 18-24 with skills for careers in the creative industries.
Dimoldenberg, known for her popular web series "Chicken Shop Date," stated that the expansion aims to provide more comprehensive training and opportunities for aspiring creatives. The program offers guaranteed paid work placements, mentorship, and hands-on experience in digital media. She emphasized that the initiative is a way to give back to young people, drawing from her own experiences.
"I started Chicken Shop Date as part of a youth club, and we made a magazine, and everything I learned there, the connections I made, the mentoring I got, set me up for the career that I have today," Dimoldenberg said. "So it was always such a big ambition of mine to be able to give that back to young people when I was able to."
The program addresses the significant issue of young people not in employment, education, or training, often referred to as Neets. Dimoldenberg described this as a "big crisis" and highlighted the importance of supporting the next generation. She believes that increased access to training schemes and apprenticeships is crucial for helping young individuals find their footing.
While Dimoldenberg humorously noted that she might not invite Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham on "Chicken Shop Date," she expressed a strong interest in discussing his efforts to combat youth unemployment. "I think having more training schemes, apprenticeships is really, really vital in helping young people," she stated.
The Dimz Inc. Academy was initially inspired by Dimoldenberg's own start in the creative field, which began with a youth club and a self-made magazine. She hopes the academy can replicate the supportive environment and connections that were instrumental in shaping her own career.