"The creative industries don't stand still": More than 1,000 young people attend careers fair showcasing job opportunities in creative industry
More than 1,000 young people attended an event last week showcasing the diverse career paths opening up in the live, TV and events industries.
The event – Production Futures ON TOUR – took place on Thursday last week at South Kirkby’s Production Park, where Netflix’s Adolescence was filmed last year.
Attendees took part in workshops and demonstrations and had access to mentoring and careers advice across disciplines including lighting, sound, staging, SFX, virtual production, live events, broadcast, and more.
Former and current students from Production Park’s Academy of Live Technology were also on hand for attendees to learn about job opportunities in Yorkshire and beyond.
The event recognised the new roles emerging across production, live events, screen and digital sectors – including those related to AI, streaming services and virtual reality – and demonstrated how traditional craft roles and new technology-driven disciplines are “reshaping the future of the industry.”
Lee Brooks, CEO of Production Park, said: “The creative industries don’t stand still. New formats, new platforms and new technologies, from live generative content to AI to virtual production, are creating roles today that didn’t exist even a few years ago.
“To keep pace, we need industry and education working hand-in-hand, anticipating what’s coming and preparing young people with the skills to thrive in it.
“Our aim at Production Park, in partnership with our on-campus higher education institution and industry training centre, Academy of Live Technology (ALT), is to make those pathways visible and accessible, because the opportunities for the next generation have never been
greater.”
Hannah Eakins, Founder and CEO of Production Futures, said: “Young people often don’t realise just how many rewarding, hands-on roles exist across production, live events, screen and digital industries.
“These careers are available across the whole country, and employers are actively looking for new talent.”
Finn Ross, Co-Founder of FRAY Studio, said: “Our industry is expanding beyond traditional production roles into areas that blend creativity with cutting-edge technology.
“The rise of the Creative Technologist, someone who can bridge artistic intent and technical innovation, is a perfect example.
“These roles don’t replace established crafts; they build on them. But they do require new capabilities, from understanding real-time tools to working with virtual production environments.
“Young people with a mix of technical confidence and creativity are going to thrive in this space.”