Facebook Australia has been announced as official partner of AWARD School, Australia’s pre-eminent training program for aspiring creatives.

As flagship partner, the Facebook Australia team will support tomorrow’s creative leaders through a number of initiatives during the 2018 AWARD School program, including providing a prize to the National AWARD School winner who will be flown to Facebook Headquarters in Menlo Park, California for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Facebook’s creative agency ambassador group.

In addition, lecturers, tutors and students will have access to Workplace by Facebook to allow for real-time, secure and agile sharing and communicating between the group.

AWARD chair Mike Spirkovski said: “We’re thrilled to have Facebook on board. It’s a great privilege to have the world’s biggest social network investing back into the creative industry through the AWARD School program.”

Facebook head of marketing, Australia & New Zealand, Alexandra Sloane said: “AWARD School brings together the brightest creative minds in our industry, from the most seasoned ECDs, right through to fresh talent.”

“Our partnership with AWARD is about strengthening those connections; for example, Workplace by Facebook will be used to fuel real-time learning and collaboration during the program.”

Established in 1983, AWARD School is a 12-week intensive industry course for aspiring copywriters and art directors in the advertising industry.

The program is run by more than 40 senior creatives, and accepts around 200 students each year across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA.

The first lectures for 2018 AWARD School kick off on April 9 in NSW and VIC and April 16 in QLD, WA and SA.

AWARD School NSW heads Karen Ferry and Brendan Willenberg said the partnership is welcome news.

“This year, our focus on AWARD School is to address how the industry is evolving beyond advertising agencies.

“Partnering with Facebook allows our students to discover more about the value that platforms like this can bring,” Ferry said.

In 2018, Facebook Australia is also partnering with the Communications Council across a number of industry activities including AWARD Award, Effies and grassroots events.

More details will be announced in the coming months.