A SKIPTON actor is hoping to train the next generation of actors and see them seize the opportunities that will come with Yorkshire’s creative boom.

Tom Aldersley combines his acting work with teaching performing arts to students at Bradford College’s University Centre.

Tom, who has appeared in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and The Royal among a host of TV credits, has designed a new two-year foundation degree for students with the aim of ensuring its graduates are ready to take advantage of Yorkshire’s burgeoning media scene.

With Channel 4 set to shortly relocate its headquarters to Yorkshire region, the Arts Council recently announcing National Lottery funding worth £1.5m for a group of Bradford organisations to create a Producing Hub and the country proving a popular filming location, Tom believes now is a great time for Yorkshire’s performers and creative industries, including those in the Craven district.

He said: “The course is very practical and has been created to prepare students for the reality of a challenging and competitive industry that offers great opportunities for those willing to go and grab them.

“The industry-focussed training includes intensive acting training that responds to the changing needs of the business. Over the two years, students get to look at acting from the very start, from building a character to how to research text and how to perform and take direction.

“There is also the flexibility to tailor the course to the student’s passion. If they want to do directing or writing, they can explore that in more depth.

“Students will also get to make their own pieces of work, be that a piece of live theatre, a podcast or a short film as part of a content creation module.

“To succeed in the industry you need to be able to work with people from different areas and different backgrounds and this allows you to do that,” he explained.

The Foundation Degree is a full-time, two-year course or can be done over four years on a part-time basis. It will run for the first time in September and anyone considering applying can find more details on the college website, bradfordcollege.ac.uk