Meerkats launches FuturKats program with internships for four AWARD School graduates

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Meerkats_Futurkats_Aug2015_BLOG.jpgFresh from Friday’s Award School Graduation, Meerkats have recruited four of the brightest graduates to take part in their inaugural FuturKats, a paid-internship Program with the ambitious goal of giving young Grads a years worth of experience in 8 weeks and the chance of permanent roles.

Created by Meerkats CD Dan Bradley and Deputy CD Paul Coghlan – who was one of this years AWARD School tutors – the program aims to create an ‘experience pathway’ into creative industries.

“It became apparent from the very first class that we were working with a group of outstanding young people with a very mature outlook. We’re really excited to have such talented thinkers joining us.” said Coghlan.

“Agencies aren’t just competing with each other for talent anymore, we’re competing with startups and the likes of Facebook and Google for the smartest, most passionate and creative people.” agreed Bradley. “Our industry is proud of the impact we have with our work – but we have a responsibility to apply this influence in ways that leave this world a little better than we found it – and that’s what we offer our talent.

“So while our constantly curious and outward-looking nature has recently attracted world-class talent from places such as New York and London to Meerkats, we now need to attract, develop – and crucially retain – young locals so they can build the future of our industry right here in WA.

“As an expression of this belief, we decided to create the first step on a career ladder for young talent so they can be constantly challenged and enriched while building their skills here and ultimately, help us take on the world. Because we’re on a mission to change the world, with the work.” said Bradley

As well as launching the FuturKats Program, Meerkats recently hired Marina Vasilieva as a Digital Designer, before she even graduated from Award School and she’s been getting similar exposure and experience having already concepted and delivered work to clients as diverse as Bankwest, Synergy and Lotterywest.

With a fully mapped schedule over the next 8 weeks, it will be interesting to see the progress of these rising stars.

Pictured above (left to right): Paul Coghlan, Maya Halilovic, Bianca Galan-Dwyer, Alice Cogin, Isabel Robins and Dan Bradley.