Posted 21 March 2019

250 young people, their families and teachers from across West Yorkshire and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor from South Kirkby and Moorthorpe Town Council attended an event on Wednesday 13 March to get inspired about a career in the live events and creative industries.

Go Higher West Yorkshire, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Backstage Academy worked in partnership to host the ‘Access All Areas’ event, bringing together employers and training providers to showcase the exciting career and higher education opportunities available within the live events and creative industry.

Local employers, Burberry Foundation, Long Division Festival and Games Maker Yorkshire all attended the event offering teachers advice, guidance and their own experiences of working in the creative sector, allowing teachers to share the knowledge with their pupils back in school.

With over 13,000 creative jobs advertised in Leeds City Region just last year, employment in the creative sector is among the fastest growing in the economy, growing 4% faster than the standard UK rate.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said:

“Leeds City Region has a fantastic creative scene, offering plenty of talent, inspiration and support for anyone thinking about a career in the creative industry. 

With over 30,000 people already employed in a creative role in Leeds City Region and the recent announcement that Leeds will become the new home of Channel 4, the region is buzzing with creativity.

I look forward to seeing what the next generation of talent will bring to our region.”

Young people took the reins and became the project managers, photographers, stage managers, performers, journalists and many other creative roles to drive and document the event.

Charlie, pupil at De Lacy Academy said:

“The event really helped me because it really opened my eyes up to everything that happens behind the scenes at events. It made it all real for me. Hearing from students, who seemed just like me, making progress and doing really well was great.”

The event was held at Production Park in Wakefield, home to more than 20 live events businesses, 7 studios and a dynamic and creative cohort of over 200 students. It is the only place globally where the pioneering work achieved there is continually fed back into the educational ecosystem, ensuring the future of the industry is sustained.

Adrian Brooks, Chairman at Production Park commented:

“The Access All Areas event has once again been an inspiring event, showcasing just how vibrant and thriving employment in the creative industry really is.

Graduates from our Backstage Academy have great earning potential when they leave our degree courses and we want to promote these excellent opportunities to local young people and their families.”

The event offered advice and support to those wanting to take the next step in reaching their future goals within the industry, from higher education courses and apprenticeships to career opportunities.

Helen Sykes, Partnership Manager at Go Higher West Yorkshire commented:

“This was a great event to highlight the wide range of higher education courses and providers young people can choose from, which can give them a great start in their future career.”

For young people, their influencers and teachers wanting to find out more about careers within Leeds City Region, please visit futuregoals.co.uk