The Creative Industries Hub

The London borough of Waltham Forest is excited to be leading a new Creative Industries Hub, as part of the Mayor’s Academy programme.

The Creative Industries Hub offers pathways into work in the creative sector for residents of Waltham Forest, Enfield, Haringey, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge and Havering.

London’s creative industries have always been one of the capital’s key strengths and is a vital source of new jobs. Employment in the UK creative industries is growing at four times the rate of the UK workforce as a whole, according to the latest official statistics from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and, Sport (DCMS).

“The creative economy is estimated to provide one in six jobs in London and the creative industries generate around £47 billion for the London economy”
Mayor of London Website

Film and TV production is growing rapidly across the Upper Lea Valley with major new studios opening in Enfield and Hertfordshire. The British Film Institute (BFI) estimates that 10,000 new jobs will be needed to support current planned productions. The majority of these new jobs being located in London and the South East.

Our Creative Industries Hub will help residents find roles with employers in the creative sector and will provide:

• Pre-employment pathways and role specific learning support leading to a job interview with local and nationally recognised creative organisations.
• Real-life problem-solving work experience opportunities that help candidates develop their knowledge of the industry.
• Freelance and start up support ranging from affordable workspaces to business advice and employment opportunities.

Our Creative Industries Hub will work with employers to create a pipeline of skilled, work ready candidates. We will provide:

• Vacancy marketing support, with online jobs boards reaching all our local jobs and skills brokerage teams. Dedicated resources will also support larger multi-disciplinary recruitment campaigns.
• Help to attract candidates from under-represented groups, building a diverse workforce.
• A choice of highly motivated and skilled candidates from entry level to managerial positions in key job pathways.

Our job pathways help candidates to build the skills and experience they need to successfully apply for entry-level to managerial roles in the creative sector. These pathways are built in collaboration with employers and training providers. Examples of these pathways are:

Film Production Assistant helping to coordinate filming on location. A 4 day orientation training prior to going on set. Paid work experience as a daily (casual) worker on film shoots, and support using this experience to apply for a role as a runner in a film production company.

Theatre Technician working on live performances. A 4 week introductory training covering a variety of technical roles. This includes sound, lighting, stage management, and video production. This is followed by paid work experience with a theatre or live production company, leading to enrolment on a formal training programme.

Set Ready Training is aimed at new entrants to the creative industries. A 3 day training course covers key elements. On completion of the training, candidates will be 'set-ready’ and more confident to apply for future trainee opportunities on productions.

Enrolment for the Set Ready training programme for 2022 is now closed. New opportunities will be available in 2023 so please check back soon.

We work with the latest and most renowned apprenticeship providers. We support a pipeline of enthusiastic and diverse candidates who are ready to learn and develop in your organisation.

Working alongside leading and innovative apprenticeship providers including Multiverse and Hilton Hotels offering a range of digital and hospitality apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 6.

“95% of apprentices who completed our programmes landed a job in their field within 90 days” Multiverse

We want work experience to work for a new generation.

Our new hybrid model for work experience in the creative industries is designed to better reflect modern working practices. It provides each learner with a unique experience and journey of discovery within the creative sector.

Learners will get the opportunities to work across the sector and develop artifacts and digital badges to go towards their portfolios and UCAS applications.

Working alongside industry professionals, SME’s and larger employers we will create an experience that will challenge and inspire the learners.

We have created a menu of potential experiences that can work in schools, in the workplace, and on location.

These innovative options will work with the Gatsby principle and support entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and enterprising lifelong skills.

The successful learners will receive a unique digital badge, a mark of excellence. All badges issued by Badge Nation are written using the Cities of Learning Badge Standard, which is endorsed by City and Guilds and the RSA.

Big Creative Education: London’s largest creative sector training provider. Big Creative supports learners from across north, central, and east London. Their courses include digital marketing;

• creative media production
• graphic design
• events
• media
• film and TV
• theatrical and media make-up
• creative apprenticeship masterclass
• 2D animation 
• web design
• app design and coding.

Waltham Forest College: Further education college in Waltham Forest which supports learners across North and East London. They offer learners technical skills and courses in:

• creative, art, and design
• IT and communication
• creative media
• fashion and textiles,
• production and technology
• hair and beauty

New City College: Deliver creative sector BTEC provision and courses in technical skills such as Adobe and 3D. Their courses are delivered across 4 hubs in Hackney, Havering, Redbridge, and Tower Hamlets.

Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service: This community learning service will complement various short courses with specific employer-led courses including:

• theatre make-up
• hair and beauty
• fashion and textiles