09.02.2023: UK Music and other creative organisations  and Government have teamed together to launch the 2023-2025 Discover Creative Careers programme.

The programme aims to inspire young people across England to pursue a career in the creative industries.

The industry-led initiative has been awarded over £1million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to develop and deliver a programme of hybrid opportunities, resources and activities that will ensure there is a larger and more diverse intake of talent via a broader range of routes into the creative industries.

Award-winning presenter of the BBC’s The Repair Shop, much loved furniture restorer, Heritage Crafts Association co-chair and MBE recipient for his Services To Craft, Jay Blades joined Minister Julia Lopez to launch the programme at Derby Museum of Making on February 8.

DCMS Minister Julia Lopez speaking at the Creative Careers launch.

UK Music Director of Education and Skills, Dr Oliver Morris spoke on a panel at the launch discussing the importance of industry-led schemes like Discover Creative Careers, benefits of vocational training and best practice across the careers and skills sector. The discussion was chaired by Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Creative UK Sarah Gregory with Head of People & Skills at D2N2 Fiona Baker, Managing Director at Cogent Gareth Evans and ScreenSkills Flexi-Apprentice – Broadcast Production Assistant with Lime Pictures Lucy Demba.

Oliver Morris said: “I’m delighted that UK Music are able once again to make a positive impact on the careers landscape through our ongoing work with our fellow creative industries partners.

“Securing further funding for our award-winning scheme Discover Creative Careers helps us to continue growing and sharing the myriad, exciting possibilities available to those interested in a career in the creative industries.

“We’re very happy that DCMS have seen the value in this work and that they have invested again in a fantastic scheme that improves careers information on – and experiences of – what is a vital part not only of the UK’s economy but also a great many young people’s identity.

“We know the many positive impacts that engaging with music has for individuals and communities and we hope that ever more people come to understand that music can also offer them an exciting career in a wide range of roles.”

Alongside a year-round online programme that’s open to all, Discover Creative Careers will deliver focussed engagement opportunities for young people aged 11-18 and the people that inform their career choices, across 77 priority areas across the country, based on the Department for Education’s Opportunity Areas and Arts Council England’s Levelling Up for Culture Priority Places.

Jay Blades in conversation with Sara Whybrew at the Creative Careers launch.

The programme will see the return of Discover! Creative Careers Week from November 13 – 17 2023. The hybrid event will encourage employers to open their doors to local school groups to gain hands-on industry experience through tours, workshops, talks and much more. Registration for employers and schools to take part will open on the DiscoverCreative.Careers website in spring.

To find out more about the programme and receive the latest updates and opportunities to get involved, sign up to the mailing list.

The delivery of Discover Creative Careers 2023 – 2025 is led by ScreenSkills in collaboration with over 20 partner organisations, including UK Music.