Creative & Digital Media

Are you not Entertained?

A lot of what we watch and hear on our TVs, devices and computers has been put together by people working in the creative and digital media industry. It might be games, radio shows, TV programmes and more …. but whatever the content, an apprenticeship in this area can help you be a part of it.

About the Creative & Digital Media Industries

The UK’s creative industries are hugely important: they employ almost three million people, contribute more than £80 billion a year to the economy, and without them there’d be nothing to watch on TV, or Netflix, or anywhere (unless you count goat videos on YouTube).

In fact, there’d be little to see, do, read or listen to anywhere, because without the arts and people pushing them out into the world, nothing would be printed, recorded, broadcast or uploaded. The world would be a pretty dull place.

What can I do?

Whatever you want to do. There are constant new innovations for shows, sounds, apps, games and more, and no-one has the monopoly on a good idea. The creators of YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram dreamed of things that didn’t exist before and brought them to life. That could be you.

Alternatively, there are many, many existing roles that can lead to rewarding and interesting careers across the creative sectors. As you train you’ll gain the technical skills you’ll need to harness your creativity and turn it into something that other people can access and enjoy, whether that’s capturing sound, producing a radio show or working in social media.

You’ll also be exposed to new technology and different ways of thinking on your way to landing a job or perhaps setting up on your own. With so many opportunities out there, you’ll probably work in a few different roles throughout your career.

Creative Skills

Being creative requires imagination, but there are also practical skills you’ll need as you build your career. They’ll vary depending on what you want to do: a camera operator will need to master equipment and understand light, for example; an animator will need technical drawing skills as well as a grasp of software; a game designer will need both creative flair and an insane control over code.

All of these things will develop over time as you train, but it’s good to start thinking now about the areas that might interest you and getting a feel for the skills you’ll need.

Creative Careers

Here are just some of the jobs available in creative & digital media:

Production Runner
Broadcast Assistant
Junior Content Producer
Digital Assistant
Production Secretary
Online Community Manager

The creative industries are competitive so it’s normal to start lower down the ladder and work your way up to more senior roles as you get more experience in your chosen medium.

Ready to find a creative role that's right for you?

Search opportunities

Getting Started

If it’s time to play the music and light the lights on your creative career. Creative & Cultural Skills is another useful source of info on training and opportunities within the sector.

Routes into the creative industries include:

Apprenticeships
Vocational qualifications / A Levels
National Diplomas and Certificates
Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Diplomas (HNDs)
Foundation Degrees (England and Wales only)
Bachelors Degrees

Levels of Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship Standards relevant to the creative industry range from Level 2 right up to Level 7. These include standards such as VFX supervisor, fashion studio assistant, photographer and pretty much every other creative career you can think of in between!

A Level Two Apprenticeship takes a minimum of 12 months to complete, then you can continue for another year to achieve Level Three, Level Four and so on. Higher and degree apprenticeships are typically for management areas in the creative industry.

Whatever you do, you won’t be alone. You’ll be thrown into a new team and you’ll need to do your best to work well with everyone: some of the work might be physical or basic at first, or you might have to work long hours in all conditions, but by showing willing and applying yourself you’ll make a good impression. Knowing people and being known as a good worker is essential in the creative industries, so having a good attitude right from the start will really help you get ahead.

Another tip: the equipment and tech, both analogue and digital, that you’ll use at work will be vital to your job. Make the most of your time at college – and your spare time – to really master any software packages or gear you’re working with; you’ll be glad you did in the long run.

Apprenticeships are unique as you’ll be studying as well as working, so you’ll get a taste of life at college as well as work. It’s a chance to make new friends and socialise, and pick up some handy time management skills as you learn to balance your work, study and social life. You’ll also be earning your own money, which will help when it comes to buying any equipment you need (or books, films and music to inspire you). It will pay for nights out with your friends, too.

You could work in…