Jessica O'ConnorThe Government has announced a £500,000 investment to widen access to creative industry jobs, partnering with The King’s Trust and the Elba Hope Foundation, founded by Idris Elba, to expand the Creative Futures programme.
The funding will support a further 400 young people aged 16 to 30 who are not in education, employment or training, or who face barriers accessing work in the creative sector.
Creative Futures provides hands-on training, industry mentoring and routes into employment in music, theatre and creative media.
More than 100 young people have completed the programme’s first year, taking part in DJing, theatre, visual arts, events and enterprise courses.
Announcing the expansion during Discover! Creative Careers Month, the Government said the initiative forms part of its wider plan to improve access to work and training opportunities for young people nationwide.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “For too long, talent has been locked out of creative careers because of background, not ability.
“We want to change that so that every child can follow their ambitions and pursue a career in the creative industries.
“Coupled with our Discover! Creative Careers programme, this investment will open doors for hundreds of young people across England, giving them the training, support and opportunities they deserve.
“Working with Idris Elba and The King’s Trust, we’re building a creative sector that reflects the diversity and brilliance of modern Britain as part of our plans to renew the country.”
Idris Elba said: “Creative Futures is about building pathways into industries that young people might not otherwise see as accessible.
“Through the foundation, Sabrina and I are committed to expanding opportunity and creating routes into sustainable careers.
“With this support, we can scale Creative Futures to reach even more young people across the UK.”
The programme will now run in Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol, the South West and the South Coast.
Participants can access three pathways ranging from introductory creative courses to pre-employment programmes and support to start their own business.
Creative Futures aims for 75% of participants to progress into employment, training or education, alongside increased sector awareness and confidence.
The expansion comes ahead of the Government’s upcoming National Youth Strategy, which aims to give every young person “somewhere to go, someone to talk to and a community they feel part of.”
