Students to be welcomed to the world of imagination with Create Studios this week

By Amanda Wilkins - 13 November 2023

BusinessCollege & Higher Education

Create Studios in Swindon is set to host over 60 young people from local schools and colleges to meet employers and take part in animation, CGI, creative coding, digital film production, gaming and music workshops on Tuesday 14 November as part of Discover! Creative Careers week 2023, 13 -17 November.

The Discover! Creative Careers programme tackles skills shortages and gaps in one of the UK's fastest growing sectors which employs over 2.3 million people. 

Discover! Creative Careers Week is a call to arms to employers and individuals across the sector to provide young people aged 11-18 with direct encounters with industry through in-person and online events at workplaces.

On Tuesday 14 November over 60 young people from local schools will visit Create Studios in Swindon to take part in animation, CGI, creative coding, digital film production, gaming and music workshops with employers including Bristol-based training provider BoomSatsuma, music producer Jamie Coupe and marketing agency Evito Talent.

The national programme is part of Government’s pledge to build a highly-skilled, productive and inclusive workforce for the future, with its ambition to maximise growth of the creative industries by £50 billion and support a million more jobs across the UK by 2030, as outlined in the Creative Industries Sector Vision launched earlier this year.

Through year-round activities and online resources, the programme works closely with sector representatives to improve awareness and challenge misconceptions about careers in the creative industries among young people aged 11-18 and those that support their careers decisions.

With £1million invested from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), including funding from Arts Council England, and alongside in-kind support from across industry, the 2023 – 2025 programme enables long-term and targeted engagement between industry, educators, and careers professionals. The initiative, which began as a pilot launched with £2million seed funding from Government in 2018, has reached over 120,000 young people so far.

Across Discover! Creative Careers Week, thousands of young people will meet professionals and hear directly about different sectors, job roles, career pathways and more, through a range of interactive activities including building tours, talks, workshops and discussions, alongside a virtual programme delivered by Speakers for Schools.

Create Studios CEO, Shahina Johnson MBE said:  "We have always been passionate at Create to support a diverse next generation into the digital Creative Industries. We are delighted to be working with Discover Creative Careers to host an inspirational event at our new Studios in Swindon's Heritage Action Zone to give a hands on experience to young people".

Mary Rose, Discover Creative Careers Programme Lead said "We believe there’s a career for everyone in the creative industries and it’s our mission to ensure young people from all backgrounds understand the jobs and pathways that exist. Direct encounters with industry are vital and we’re incredibly excited to see so many employers taking part in this year’s Discover! Creative Careers Week. We hope it encourages  others to get involved in the programme and demonstrate their commitment to securing a skilled and inclusive future workforce”

Alongside the opportunities taking place during Discover! Creative Careers Week, the DiscoverCreative.Careers website offers a suite of industry-led lesson plans and resources to support careers provision and encourages young people to access the careers finder, home to over 500 job profiles provided by industry. Schools and colleges can also sign-up to upcoming industry events taking place in 2024 as part of the year-round programme.

Registration for Discover! Creative Careers Week 2023 is now closed, but schools, colleges and industry are encouraged to sign up to the mailing list for the latest programme opportunities and updates. Registration for Discover! Creative Careers Week 2024 will open soon. 

Your Comments

Be the first to comment on this article

Login or Register to post a comment on this article

Subscribe to The Link

Registered in England & Wales. No: 4513027, Positive Media Group, Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4BJ