The Creative Industries – entertainment media, fashion and textiles, publishing and advertising and marketing communications – have a wide variety of career opportunities where there is a need for talented and committed young people.

Jobs in the Creative Industries are rewarding and motivating but getting in can be a competitive process, making it more essential than ever that young people are given the right advice on the best ways to start their creative careers and fulfil their aspirations.

Creative Skillset helps young people make informed choices about routes into the Creative Industries – whether that’s continuing into HE or taking an Apprenticeship. Whether the young person is interested in studying screenwriting, animation or graphics, or is inspired to take up an apprenticeship in photography, fashion design or web design (to name just a few options), there are many different pathways available.

There are also those who have a combination of creative and technical skills who may not have considered a career in the Creative Industries as a possibility but who could find that their future lies somewhere unexpected, such as a computer games programmer or as a TV production manager.

But how does a school leaver find their way into one of the dazzling aray of creative careers available?

It’s really important that any training or futher study that young people take is up-to-date and relevant. One of the ways learners can be assured of this is to look out for the Creative Skillset Tick – it is the quality mark for HE courses and apprenticeship programmes that have earned employer approval for providing the most industry-relevant education and training available.

The courses that have been awarded the Creative Skillset Tick teach the skills needed to work in the industry. They have tutors with strong industry connections and they use up-to-date equipment.

The Creative Skillset Tick also kitemarks the best apprenticeship programmes in the Creative Industries. Apprenticeships that carry the Tick have been evaluated by panels of experts who ensure that each programme meets the requirements of the industry and provides clear progression routes for new entrants.

So for the courses and apprenticeships that are best suited to provide  young people with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to get into the Creative Industries, Pick the Tick. View the full list of courses and apprenticeships that have received the Creative Skillset Tick on our website.

Some young people may have their heart set on going to university but for those who don’t feel that higher education is the right route for them, doing an apprenticeship could be the key  to open doors into the industry and gain the skills and experience to put them ahead of the competition.

With National Apprenticeship Week taking place on 11-15 March (#NAW2013), now is a great time to engage your learners about apprenticeships and to help them to make decisions about their career options. Apprenticeships are a unique way for learners to have a real experience of employment and invaluable access to industry networks whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

Creative Skillset has worked closely with industry and major trade associations to develop apprenticeships in creative and digital media, fashion and textiles, advertising and marketing communications, photo imaging and set crafts.  These will meet the current and future needs of the Creative Industries and  equip learners with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to work in the industry.

Creative Skillset has launched the first Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) in the Creative Industries covering areas in advertising and marketing communications, creative and digital media and fashion and textiles. These apprenticeships will provide training at a level equivalent to the first year of university, opening up a new pathway into previously graduate-entry job roles, and will build the skills identified by creative employers as being critical to driving growth in the industry.

You can find the latest apprenticeship vacancies and job roles on Creative Skillset’s Apprenticeship Facebook pages:

For Apprenticeships in the Fashion and Textiles sector www.facebook.com/skillset.apprenticeshipFT  

To find out more about the Advertising and Marketing Communications Apprenticeship www.facebook.com/apprenticeship.advertisingmarketing

For Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeships

www.facebook.com/skillset.apprenticeshipCDM

Or visit the Creative Skillset website for information about the different creative apprenticeship routes and to read more about the new higher level apprenticeships in creative and digital media, fashion and textile and advertising and marketing communications.

Creative Skillset has produced a series of short video clips about apprenticeships and why employers recommend this route into the industry. You can view the videos on our YouTube channel. The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has also launched a new film as part of a ‘Spotlight on sectors’ to encourage young people to take up an apprenticeship in the creative sector. Take a look at the video and share it with your young people.

Creative Skillset provides specialist careers information for the Creative Industries. On our website you will find a library of over 400 job profiles, and up-to-date research and Labour Market Information (LMI). Keep in touch with Creative Skillset by following us on Twitter @SkillsetSSC or to receive news and information by email, sign up to our careers e-newsletter