Many young people interested in creative subjects are unaware of the wide range of opportunities available within the creative and cultural sector. To help address this, the Barbican Creative Hub in Lincoln hosted a Creative Careers Day, bringing together employers, industry professionals and students for a day of hands-on learning and career exploration.
The initiative focused on Creative and Media, reflecting findings from the Future Skills Questionnaire, which identified it as one of the sectors young people across Greater Lincolnshire are most interested in exploring through careers activities.
Bringing together 40 Year 8 students from four schools across Lincolnshire, the event was designed for young people who had already expressed an interest in creative subjects and careers. Meeting professionals working in the sector gave students meaningful employer encounters and practical insights into the range of creative career pathways available.
Many young people interested in creative subjects are unaware of the wide range of opportunities available within the creative and cultural sector. To help address this, the Barbican Creative Hub in Lincoln hosted a Creative Careers Day, bringing together employers, industry professionals and students for a day of hands-on learning and career exploration.
The initiative focused on Creative and Media, reflecting findings from the Future Skills Questionnaire, which identified it as one of the sectors young people across Greater Lincolnshire are most interested in exploring through careers activities.
Bringing together 40 Year 8 students from four schools across Lincolnshire, the event was designed for young people who had already expressed an interest in creative subjects and careers. Meeting professionals working in the sector gave students meaningful employer encounters and practical insights into the range of creative career pathways available.
Students took part in a series of interactive workshops delivered by creative professionals, covering photography, illustration, marketing, backstage production, costume design, mosaic making and creative entrepreneurship. They also heard from Ben Anderson, Creative & Executive Director at the University of Lincoln (Barbican Creative Hub & Lincoln Arts Centre), who spoke about the scale and importance of the creative sector, highlighting the breadth of careers available and the skills needed to succeed.
By offering practical experiences rather than simply talking about careers, students were able to explore both artistic and technical roles, helping challenge misconceptions and demonstrate the diversity of opportunities within the creative industries. Alongside increasing awareness of career pathways, the event also helped students develop wider employability skills, including communication, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.
The interactive approach was well received by both students and educators, reinforcing the value of employer-led experiences.
"This was such a unique event which allowed students to participate and interact with practitioners and explore different products and processes, gaining an understanding of the methods and processes used in each area. I would highly recommend it."
Claire Bradbury, Careers Leader at Outwood Academy Foxhills
Why does employer involvement matter?
The Creative Careers Day demonstrated how employer engagement can inspire future talent while helping young people better understand the skills, attributes and pathways associated with careers in the creative sector.
"Creative Careers Day allowed us to test a new way of working – one that moved beyond traditional work experience to offer hands-on, inspiring encounters with the creative industries. By bringing together creative professionals and young people, we were able to reach more students and give them a genuine insight into the breadth of creative careers available to them. We hope the day has sparked new ambitions and shown that there are many different pathways into a creative future."
Ben Anderson, Creative & Executive Director at the University of Lincoln (Barbican Creative Hub & Lincoln Arts Centre)
"By bringing together employers, creatives and students in a hands-on environment, we were able to showcase the breadth of opportunities available and help young people understand how their interests and talents could translate into exciting future careers. Events like this are vital in inspiring the next generation and strengthening talent pipelines into one of our key growth sectors."
Alex Nightingale, Operational Hub Lead at the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub
For employers, taking part in initiatives like Creative Careers Day is an opportunity to inspire future talent, raise awareness of their industry and help shape the workforce of tomorrow. Even a small investment of time can have a lasting impact, helping young people make informed career choices while strengthening connections between education and industry.
Whether it’s hosting a workplace visit, delivering a workshop, attending a careers event or offering work experience, there are many ways businesses can get involved. By working with the Greater Lincolnshire Careers Hub, employers can help inspire the next generation, develop future talent and showcase the exciting opportunities their sector has to offer.
Get started today: GLCareersHub@lincolnshire.gov.uk