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Individuals

Looking to succeed in the creative industries? You’ve come to the right place.

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Criteria and FAQs

At Creative Access, our mission is to enable people from communities that are under-represented in the creative industries to access careers, progress and reach leadership.

 

There is an urgent need to improve representation of those from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds, those from any ethnicity from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, those with mental health problems, as well as those undergoing gender reassignment or transitioning in the creative industries. And so, we primarily focus on these groups.

 

While many of our opportunities are open to anyone to apply, you will see some are ring-fenced for people from specific groups. These are normally marked as Positive Action schemes.

 

We have a detailed application form because the more information you give us about yourself, the more we can ensure those who are eligible are able to access to these opportunities. You can read more about how we define each of these groups and get answers to other frequently asked questions below.

 

Find out more about how we can support with reasonable adjustments and accessibility requests.

FAQs

  • Eligibility

    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. This includes, but is not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, disabled people, those undergoing gender reassignment / transitioning and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. It also includes care leavers, young carers, and people who have come to the UK as refugees or asylum seekers. Please note, this will be specified on each opportunity.

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

    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.

    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.

  • Registration

    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.

    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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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

    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.

    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.

    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.

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

    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.

    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

    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.

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

    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.

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

    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.

    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.