Creative careers programme reaches 210,000 young people

A creative careers programme which aims to inspire young people to explore careers across the creative industries has reached 210,000 young people since its launch in 2023.

The Discover! Creative Careers programme from ScreenSkills, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is drawing to close, following the announcement of a new refreshed Creative Careers Service.

The past 18 months have seen significant growth following increased government investment, culminating in record engagement during Discover! Creative Careers Month in November 2025. During that period alone, more than 81,000 young people took part in activities involving over 1,200 schools and 600 employers, with industry contributing an estimated £1.5 million in support.

Activities ranged from theatre and live music tours to workshops and work experience opportunities. Regional programmes also expanded, including new pilots in Scotland and Wales delivered by Into Film, which reached a further 20,000 young people through events, school sessions and roadshows.

In Wales, more than 9,000 young people participated in activities between September 2025 and March 2026, while the Scotland pilot engaged over 11,000 through a mix of in-school, workplace and online experiences.

The programme has also introduced Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, creating new routes into creative careers for young jobseekers in regions including Manchester, the North East and the East of England.

Meanwhile, a pilot initiative aimed at younger students saw 430 teenagers complete work experience placements, with a strong focus on accessibility for those with additional needs.

Digital engagement has also played a key role. During National Careers Week in March 2026, more than 6,000 students joined online workshops led by industry professionals and young people themselves, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on co-design and youth voice.

Since 2023, the initiative has also generated 284,000 website visits and 30 million social media impressions, with employers across sectors including film, TV, music, gaming and design contributing to hands-on experiences designed to broaden awareness of creative career pathways.

ScreenSkills said the programme’s growth has been driven by collaboration between industry, education and young people, with regional delivery and targeted funding helping to extend its reach into priority areas across the UK.