Refreshed ‘Discover Creative Careers’ programme launched by new national collective – Futures for All, Creative UK and Creative Access
Hundreds of thousands of young people across the UK are set to benefit from a major UK government-backed careers programme, aimed at widening access to the cultural and creative industries.
Launched today, 16 July 2026, and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) the refreshed Discover Creative Careers programme is aimed at young people aged 11–24, with a particular focus on those from under-represented backgrounds and underserved regions. It is designed to equip the next generation with the ambition, skills and knowledge to build lasting careers across the UK’s world-leading cultural and creative sector.
The programme fulfils a core commitment made in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, and is being delivered by the Creative Careers Collective: a national consortium comprising Futures For All (lead partner), Creative UK and Creative Access. Together, these organisations combine complementary strengths in education, industry engagement, digital delivery and social mobility, to deliver an inclusive national careers programme for young people.
Underpinned by a single UK-wide digital platform, Discover Creative Careers will connect young people with employers and provide a clear route into creative careers – through activity such as work experience, inspirational talks, informative webinars, networking events and more.
The programme will also support teachers, parents, careers advisers and work coaches with the knowledge, resources and employer connections needed to help young people navigate opportunities within the sector.
Activity will run year-round, with focused national moments — including a refreshed UK-wide Discover Month in November.
The Creative Careers Collective is delighted to be partnering on this important programme and is ambitious in its plans to inspire and impact the lives of young people, schools, parents and industry.
Additional delivery partners will work alongside the collective to enhance programme delivery and widen reach across all four nations in the UK. Arts Council Northern Ireland, The National Saturday Club and ATG Entertainment are among those organisations providing vital support in the delivery of Discover Creative Careers outputs for young people.
Commenting on the launch, Creative Industries Minister, Ian Murray, said: “The UK’s creative industries are the envy of the world, but that strength only holds if we engage the breadth of talent this country has to offer. Young people from every corner of the UK have stories worth telling and skills worth developing. Our job is to make sure the path into those industries is open to all of them.
“Discover Creative Careers is exactly the kind of programme that makes that possible. Bringing together employers, educators and young people creates real connections and opportunities to build a creative workforce that truly reflects the country it serves. I’m proud that this Government is funding it, and look forward to working with our new delivery partners.”
Nick Brook, CEO, Futures For All said: “We’re delighted to be leading Discover Creative Careers alongside Creative UK, Creative Access and our wider delivery partners. The UK’s creative industries are among the most dynamic and exciting sectors in the world, yet too many young people struggle to access the experiences, networks and opportunities that can help them build a career within them.
“Discover Creative Careers will bring together schools, employers and industry partners through a single national programme, helping young people gain real-world experience, build confidence and turn their interest in the creative industries into real opportunities.
“By connecting employers with talented young people from every part of the UK, the programme will help open up opportunities, strengthen pathways into the sector and support the future talent pipeline for the creative industries.”
Emily Cloke, CEO, Creative UK, said: “Creative careers are for everyone – not the privileged few. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Futures for All and Creative Access on this important programme to help break down barriers for young people right across the UK, and connect businesses, organisations and practitioners with the next generation of UK creative talent.
“A strong, diverse talent pipeline is essential to our future success, and I am thrilled that the Creative Careers Collective has come together to help fulfil a core Sector Plan commitment – to raise awareness of the magic of creative careers, and support young people from all backgrounds to access them.”
Mel Rodrigues, CEO, Creative Access, said: “Showing a young person that a creative career is possible is incredibly important – but inspiration is only the beginning. The real challenge is helping them turn that ambition into action. At a time when the creative industries are being transformed by technology and new ways of working, young people need meaningful opportunities to build confidence, develop future-facing skills and connect with employers.
That’s why we’re so excited to be part of Discover Creative Careers. Together with our partners, we’re creating clearer pathways into the creative industries, helping more young people build the knowledge, networks and experience they need to succeed, regardless of where they grow up or who they know.”
Notes to Editors
About Futures For All: Futures For All is a social mobility charity and the UK’s largest provider of work experience programmes. Our mission is to ensure every young person has a fair opportunity to explore their potential, regardless of background. We are committed to levelling the playing field by delivering high-quality, impactful experiences of the world of work and inspirational employer engagement in state schools and colleges across the UK. Our programmes demystify career pathways, build confidence and aspiration, and support employers to engage meaningfully with young people who are often the hardest to reach.
About Creative UK: Creative UK is the national membership body for the cultural and creative industries. We exist to champion creativity in its widest form – representing world-leading organisations from sectors as diverse as advertising, animation, architecture, broadcasting, crafts, design, digital, education, fashion, games, heritage, museums, music, performing arts, photography, publishing, theatre, TV, visual art and more. We are an independent not-for-profit, which uses the insight and experience of our members to help shape relevant government policy and advocate for meaningful change. Change that will benefit UK businesses, citizens and communities. Our vision is a world where creativity is valued and recognised as the driving force for our future. We’re so passionate about this that we put our money where our mouth is: through own landmark investment funds, we’ve directly invested millions of pounds into creative businesses over the last decade. Our team is based across the UK, and we work closely with Local and Combined Authorities to support creative talent, whilst delivering hands-on support – spanning business diagnostics, mentoring and investment readiness. Our Filming in England programme is a dedicated and bespoke production programme to feature film and high-end TV productions looking to film in England, outside of London.
About Creative Access: As an independent non-profit, Creative Access’ mission is simple: to see the UK’s creative economy reflect the society it serves. We are the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries. Since 2012, we have been driving change across the sector by creating pathways for under-represented groups and helping organisations build more inclusive cultures. Working across publishing, media, TV, film, theatre, music and the wider creative economy, we deliver recruitment, mentoring, training, consultancy and career development programmes. Our work supports individuals at every stage of their careers and helps organisations attract and retain diverse talent. Creative Access is a trusted voice on representation in the creative industries, producing research which champions equitable opportunities and informs industry action.
Notes to Editors
- Programme delivery will be UK-wide, reaching all nations and regions
- It will aim to deliver more than 678k direct engagements with young people (11-24) over three years.
Delivery of the programme will be mapped across four stages:
Inspire and Inform (ages 11–18): Working in schools and youth settings, the project will provide young people with opportunities to access multi-day work experience in the creative sector, as well as workshops on creative careers, and connections with employers. To ensure the programme reaches rural and remote communities, there will also be a strong digital offer.
Explore and Prepare (16–18): At this critical transition stage, the project will offer pathway guidance – for young people exploring options such as apprenticeships, Higher Education, Further Education, or freelancing. There will also be virtual “Getting a Start” sessions – looking at writing CVs and applications, as well as sessions with employers from specific sectors.
Access and Connect (16+): Post-16, there will be a focus on building industry connections, through a mixture of cross-sector events and encounters with employers and public partners. There will also be specialist support for those looking to build freelance and portfolio careers.
Paid Work and Progression (18+): The programme will support up to 600 paid traineeships with structured progression and wellbeing support. It will also support peer networks to support progression into employment or further study.
