Tag: ScreenSkills

Discover! Creative Careers Week Scotland Kicks Off

Discover! Creative Careers Scotland launches its flagship week of activity today, offering young people across the country the chance to explore the breadth of roles available in the creative industries through a series of in-school, workplace, and online experiences.

Running from 10–14 November 2025, the week forms part of a wider programme of events taking place across Scotland from September 2025 to March 2026, designed to inspire the next generation of creative professionals.

Discover! Creative Careers is a government funded, industry-led programme that is working to ensure there is a larger and more diverse intake of talent via a broader range of routes into the creative industries.

The free to access hybrid programme of activities and resources offers meaningful encounters with industry professionals, online tools, training and support throughout the year.

Its annual flagship Discover! Creative Careers event takes place every November, connecting thousands of young people with hundreds of workplaces to give hands-on insight into the creative industries.

An early event took place at Newbattle High School in Midlothian at the end of last week, where students were joined by Into Film AmbassadorFraser Johnston. A former pupil of the school, Fraser returned to share insights into his career and introduce students to the exciting opportunities within the screen industry.

Fraser Johnston said: “Having Callum come and inspire the students was amazing. Not only did they get so much from the SFX demonstration, but they also learned that there are many pathways into the film and television industry.

“With the creative sector booming in Scotland, these are the exact talks and workshops we are needing in schools. Thank you for organising Into Film.”

Throughout the week, young people will have the opportunity to engage with professionals from across the creative sector, gaining valuable insights into careers in areas such as film, journalism, museums, and festivals.

A highlight of the week includes today’s DYW Live event (Tuesday 11 November) at 10:45, where students will hear directly from industry experts.

Join the event here: https://www.e-sgoil.com/dyw-live/events/25-26/scottish-careers-week-2025/

Get Involved:

Follow the campaign throughout the week on social media –

LinkedIn – Discover Creative Careers

Instagram – discovercreativecareers

YouTube – DiscoverCreativeCareers

Discover!, also known as the Creative Careers Programme, was kick-started with funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2018 and has been shaped and supported directly by creative businesses, institutions, trade bodies and individuals.

Since Discover! Creative Careers was relaunched in 2023, the programme has reached more than 62,000 young people via in-person and online activity and industry encounters.

The delivery of Discover! Creative Careers is led by ScreenSkills in partnership with over 25 organisations and through collaboration with industry, education and careers professionals.

Edinburgh Schools HETV Inspire Sessions Launch

Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE), Film Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh Council, Culture Service), ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund, and Arts & Creative Learning (City of Edinburgh Council, Children, Education and Justice Services) are proud to launch the Edinburgh Schools HETV Inspire Sessions.

These workshops are designed to inspire Edinburgh’s young workforce to consider careers in High-End TV Drama Production. The sessions will take place from October 2023 – February 2024 in City of Edinburgh Council High Schools across Edinburgh.

Edinburgh’s screen industries have grown considerably in recent years, with an annual value of £23.8 million. However, with the UK screen industries requiring an estimated 10,000 new entrants each year to sustain the current workforce, the shortage of young talent entering the field presents a significant challenge to the sector.

The HETV Inspire Sessions aim to address this shortage. Created with S4-6 pupils taking a wide range of subjects in mind, these workshops provide an opportunity to find out about the wide range of jobs available in the television industry. The workshops will connect with an estimated 500 pupils in at least 17 schools around Edinburgh. 

Workshops are led by industry professionals working in a diverse range of jobs within High-End TV Drama Production, who can offer a unique perspective on the industry. Pupils will gain hands-on practical experience, learning about the day-to-day responsibilities of different jobs. They will leave the sessions signposted to active opportunities in the field, such as SEE courses, e-learning from ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Skills Fund, career maps and more.

Emphasis has been placed on ensuring representation of roles with a shortage of entrants, empowering pupils to consider roles they may not have considered suited to their skillset. This programme aims to inspire pupils and guide them towards a rewarding career in this dynamic, growing field.

Laura Findlay, Creative Engagement Officer at SEE said, “There are a wealth of jobs in the industry that young people may not even know about or have considered before.

“We understand how important it is to support and develop pupils in a number of ways in and out of school – whether it’s courses and programmes we run, giving them hands on experience in film, or signposting them to internships, training programmes, or online courses, such as those run by ScreenSkills’ High-end TV Fund.

“Working in partnership allows us to pull together our resources, giving young people the tools and opportunities they need to get a start in the industry.” 

City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said, “It is fantastic news that the new HETV Inspire Sessions are going to be coming to our schools and giving pupils an insight into the sort of career pathways available to them.

“Here in Edinburgh and across Scotland we have an enviable film and television industry and it’s our responsibility to make sure that we nurture and enhance this. I’m looking forward to seeing our pupils get involved in this scheme and I’m sure it’ll be a great success.”

Vicki Ball, HETV First Break and Careers Outreach Manager at ScreenSkills said: “HETV production is growing in Edinburgh, and it’s important that we invest in the local talent that will help the industry continue to thrive.

“That’s why we’re working with local people and partners to help inspire the next generation of talent and help them find their pathway into one of the many roles available”.

The first HETV Inspire Session was held at Firrhill High School, led by industry professional Jackie McCraith-Smith. Running an interactive workshop, she provided pupils with valuable insights into her role as a Locations Manager.

From spill kits to blue shoes and more, they had the opportunity to see up-close some of the kit Location Managers use in their work, highlighting a potential pathway for pupils to enter the industry.

Calum McAlpine, teacher at Firrhill High School said, “The event did more than just provide information; it ignited a genuine interest and passion for the industry. Every school should have them visit!”