15 January 2024, London – London Higher has launched creativeLDN today, a hub drawing together training and resources for those looking to study a creative course or develop a career in the creative industries.
The creative industries are a fast-growing sector in London, supporting 795,000 jobs in the sector in 2021 and accounting for one in seven jobs in the capital. Similarly, they play a significant role in London’s and the wider UK’s economy, generating a £51.7bn in economic output in 2020.
London Higher has been involved in the creative industries for a while, working closely with industry to deliver a skills development programme in and around London as a part of the Mayor of London’s Creative Skills Academy and the Metro London Skills Cluster funded by BFI’s national Lottery fund. This work brings together core partners such as Middlesex University, Film London, the Greater London Authority, and the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding. The hub will complement and enhance existing academic opportunities in the capital, with industry expert support and advisory input from the University of the Arts London, London South Bank University, Kingston University, Royal Holloway, St Mary’s University, and Ravensbourne University.
Aiming to support the ambitions of people in the capital and the growth of this crucial sector, London Higher has developed resources aimed at a range of audiences, from those considering university, through to graduates. London Higher is excited to work with member institutions and the student population and will be developing creativeLDN further to become the go-to site for those developing a creative career, from first steps to enhancing existing knowledge and skills through short courses, industry and study guides, or course directories.
London’s higher education institutions will be able to benefit from the tailored support available on the hub. The creativeLDN hub will bridge gaps between higher education and industry with a direct focus on supporting students into meaningful employment in the sector.
Dale Hall, Creative Skills Project Manager at London Higher said: “London Higher is thrilled to be stepping firmly into this space to support students from our member institutions, giving them direct access to employment opportunities by fostering connections between industry and higher education.”
Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez said: “Our creative industries are a thriving hub of opportunity, contributing £126 billion a year to the economy. It is so important that everyone feels a creative career is open to them, which is why we’ve committed to supporting one million more jobs by 2030 – including through our backing of the Discover! Creative Careers programme – as part of our ambitious vision for the sector.
I’m delighted that the creativeLDN programme will help us achieve this goal by providing the next generation of talent with the skills and experience they need to pursue rewarding jobs in creative professions.”
