Individuals

FAQs

• Eligibility

  What is a positive action scheme?

  A positive action scheme is a strategic initiative under the Equality Act 2010 which allows organisations to provide training opportunities to certain groups of the population as long as they can prove that:

   

  • The opportunity is a training role and not a job
  • That it is targeting a group of the population proven to be under-represented in the sector. individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers. Please note, this will be specified on each opportunity.

  How do you define the term ‘ethnically diverse’?

  Creative Access follows the UK Government guidelines about what constitutes an ethnic minority. Follow this link for details on guidelines.

  How do you define the term ‘lower socio-economic status’?

  The categories we use to define socio-economic status are based on the Office for National Statistics guide, plus guidance from Arts Council England. We ask individuals to register for Creative Access and self-declare a number of factors including eligibility for Free School Meals, accommodation type and whether or not you were the first person in your family to attend university.

  How do you define the term ‘disabled’?

  Under the Equality Act 2010, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

  How do you define the term ‘people with the characteristic of gender reassignment’?

  In the Equality Act, gender reassignment means proposing to undergo, undergoing or having undergone a process to reassign your sex. Under section 7 of the Equality Act 2010, to be protected from discrimination based on gender reassignment, you do not need to have undergone any medical treatment or surgery to change from your birth sex to your lived gender. Moreover, you can be at any stage in your transition, and it does not matter if you have obtained or are planning to obtain a Gender Reassignment certificate.

   

  You can read more about this definition on the EHRC.

• Registration

  How can I track my application?

  If you applied for a Creative Access role (marked by three coloured dots on the listing), we will update you on the status of your application via email. If you applied via a third-party listing, we advise you contact the company directly.

  How can I contact you about a technical issue?

  Please complete this form with your name and the details of the technical issue, as well as the device and browser you are using, and one of our team will get back to you as soon as they can.

• Application process

  How do I apply for roles?

  You must first register an account with us. To apply, please log-in and click on the role. You will be asked to upload your CV, cover letter, and any other relevant material as one document.

  What is a third-party vacancy?

  Third-party vacancies are roles advertised on the Creative Access website where individuals apply directly to the company that is recruiting. These opportunities are open to anyone and everyone to apply.

   

  If you apply for a third-party vacancy, you will be updated on the status of your application from the company directly. In most situations Creative Access cannot provide application support for these roles.

  How do I track my application(s)? Will I receive a confirmation email?

  Yes, you will receive a confirmation email to notify you that your application has been received. Please make sure these do not go to your Junk/Spam folder.

  Do I need to write a covering letter? If so, who do I address it to?

  Yes. All roles require a covering letter, which must be tailored to the role and company you are applying for. Please ensure this is submitted along with your CV as one document. Please address your covering letter to Creative Access.

• Individual support

  What support will I receive with my application?

  If you are shortlisted for an internship or role that is being handled by Creative Access, we’ll provide assistance with your application. We will also provide you with interview advice and support to ensure you have the best chance at securing a role.

  How will you support me when I secure a role?

  When you join Creative Access, you’ll become part of a phenomenal community of like-minded and talented people.

   

  Once you successfully secure an internship (or after a year in a permanent role), you’ll join our entry level support programme. On completion of your internship (or after a year in a permanent role), you’ll automatically graduate onto our development programme.

  Will an internship lead to a full-time job?

  There is no guarantee that an internship will lead to a job. However, we will do our best to support you in converting it to a role and over 90% of our interns do secure roles at the end of their internships.

   

  The Creative Access team will support you to help look for employment as your internship draws to a close and you will automatically receive support via our development programme.

  Can you review my application prior to applying?

  Due to the number of submissions we receive, we are unable to provide assistance with individual applications before they are submitted.

  I keep getting rejected, how can I improve my CV?

  For those who have registered with Creative Access, but have yet to secure a role, we hold regular CV clinics. Keep an eye on our opportunities page to register.

  Why did the role I wanted to apply for close early?

  We do encourage the companies we work not to close applications early. However, sometimes – for reasons beyond our control – organisations do withdraw listings prior to the official closing date. To avoid disappointment we recommend getting your applications in early.

• Qualifications, contracts, sponsorship and pay

  Do I need to have/be working towards a degree to apply?

  No. Creative Access actively encourages employers to minimise the need for academic qualifications. Where needed we encourage them to accept a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification or work experience. The requirements are stated in each role description.

  Can I apply for roles if I’m still a student?

  Yes you can apply, however must state your availability in your cover letter or CV.

  Do I need a right to work in the UK to apply for the opportunities listed on the Creative Access site?

  You will need a right to work in the UK to apply for a role recruited via Creative Access. This is not always the case with third party listings.

  Can I complete a role part-time?

  Most of our roles are full-time. However, where an opportunity is part-time, it will be specified in the role description.

  Are all internships paid? If so, how much?

  Yes. All our trainees are paid at the equivalent of National Living Wage or above.

   

  Your company will choose to issue you with either a Fixed Term contract or a Training Contract. If you are given a Training Contract you will receive a training allowance (bursary) equivalent to a salary, which means no tax or National Insurance contributions will be deducted from your pay.

  If I am willing to re-locate for a role, will you be able to support me with the cost or provide accommodation?

  We do not organise accommodation for interns. If you are willing to relocate, we suggest you look for accommodation as soon as you have applied for the role. We do have a bursary fund where applicants can apply for one-off pots of funding. Check our opportunities page to see when this is next open.