53 Degrees North Media Academy, dock10 and University of Salford have announced Up North: Creative Futures, an event aiming to support students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds as they prepare to enter the creative industries.
A full day of panel discussions and networking opportunities will take place at dock10’s MediaCityUK facility on Wednesday 21st January, bringing Salford University students together with leaders and young professionals from across the industry.
The event will provide “actionable guidance for employment, demystifying pathways and helping students to understand the roles available through their skillsets”. 53 Degrees North Media Academy alumni will share knowledge and insights from their own routes into the TV, digital production and advertising industries.
Sam Ingelson, associate dean: knowledge exchange at The University of Salford, said, “Supporting talent from all backgrounds is at the heart of everything we do. This collaboration between the University, MediaCity, dock10 and 53 Degrees North Media Academy strengthens our commitment to ensuring students have direct access to industry knowledge, opportunities and real-world advice.”
Andy Waters, head of studios, dock10 MediaCity, added: “MediaCity and dock10 are proud to partner on this initiative that not only empowers students but also connects creative businesses with the next wave of northern talent. Supporting emerging talent is essential to the long-term success of the sector, and we’re committed to building pathways to ensure the industry is diverse, representative and open to new voices and ideas.”
The organisers are inviting sponsorship from across the sector, helping remove barriers to entry for students from socio-economically diverse backgrounds to address skills gaps and build a more representative talent pipeline for the region.
