Theatre training... all we had to do was Aksa

Mushtaq Khan and Kevin Shaw - useful partnership

YOUNG people have acquired key skills through a unique training scheme operated by Oldham Coliseum and the Aksa Homes housing association.

A group of six 16 to 24-year-old trainees took a Teaching Theatre job skills programme, boosting confidence and job prospects.

Mushtaq Khan, director of Aksa, said: “Aksa isn’t just a housing provider. We want to ensure tenants get the best opportunities in life. They face obstacles in the jobs market and this is just one of the things we do.”

The first 12 months of the Aksa-Coliseum programme has brought training, sales and promotional benefits for the two organisations.

Aksa’s sponsorship scheme includes ticket promotions for Aksa tenants and access to events and educational activities which improve community integration.

He added: “Muslim society has become more socially-conservative in recent years, but the Muslim community has a tradition of theatre, which we want to encourage.

Coliseum director Kevin Shaw said the Coliseum gains much better access to the Asian community through Aksa, and the skills programme helped it reach youngsters who think theatre has nothing to offer them — socially or vocationally.

Mr Shaw said: “This is a vital part of what we do. It’s not just about the work on stage. We have backstage, admin and technical roles which let people gain transferable work skills, confidence and communication skills.”