North East Mayor Kim McGuinness is launching a major new £4 million programme giving local people the skills and support they need to work in the North East’s growing creative industries.
Working with local partners to develop skills across music, screen and writing and publishing; Generator, The NewBridge Project, ITV Signpost and New Writing North will offer hundreds of local people training, work experience, networking opportunities and mentoring over the programme’s three years.
The Create Talent Programme aims to close regional skills gaps, creating a skilled diverse ready-to-go workforce to help build confidence in the region’s capacity with national and international production, film and events companies.
The programme launches at a turning point time for the North East creative economy, with new partnerships, including the Centre for Writing and Publishing, Warner Music UK, and the planned Crown Works Studios increasing access and opportunity for talented people throughout our region.
Recently, the region also played host to the Mercury Prize, MOBO Awards, and major films like 28 Years Later. The Mercury Prize alone generated more than £1.4 million for the regional economy.
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness said:
“I’ve spoken to actors, directors, writers, musicians and producers, and they all agree, the best thing about the North East is the people and our proud working-class culture.
“But we know that there aren’t enough opportunities in the creative sector for regular working class people. So I’m changing that.
“This investment is about backing our talent, and helping local people build sustainable careers in our thriving and vibrant creative sector. And making sure that at the centre of our music, screen and writing industries is a workforce that reflects what makes this region so powerful – hard working, ambitious people who lift up those around them.
“I’m serious about growing our creative industries, and improving opportunities for local people is at the heart of my plans.”
The programme will prioritise groups underrepresented in the creative industries, including, but are not limited to care-experienced people, women, young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), people with health conditions. As well as people from ethnically diverse backgrounds and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, particularly those living in areas of high deprivation.
The programme will launch in Spring 2026 and will offer local people professional development and technical skills training alongside networking and mentoring. Both for those wanting to start out in the sector and freelancers who need to develop their offer.
Find out more at https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/create-talent