North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has unveiled a major new £4 million, three‑year skills and talent programme designed to help local residents access careers in the region’s fast‑growing creative industries.
The Create Talent Programme will provide hundreds of people with skills training, work experience, mentoring and networking opportunities across music, screen, writing and publishing. It aims to close regional skills gaps and create a more diverse, job‑ready workforce capable of supporting national and international productions choosing to work in the North East.
The programme will be delivered in partnership with Generator, the NewBridge Project, ITV Signpost, and New Writing North. Together, these organisations will offer a range of development opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the industry, as well as freelancers looking to grow or adapt their creative practice.
The initiative is designed to strengthen confidence among major production, broadcasting and events companies considering investment in the North East.
The programme comes at a pivotal moment for the region’s creative economy, following a series of high‑profile cultural partnerships and milestones, including:
- The establishment of the Centre for Writing and Publishing
- Collaboration with Warner Music UK
- Development of the proposed Crown Works Studios
- Hosting major cultural events such as the Mercury Prize, MOBO Awards, and filming for 28 Years Later
The Mercury Prize alone generated over £1.4 million for the regional economy, demonstrating the scale of opportunity in cultural investment.
The Create Talent Programme will prioritise people who are currently underrepresented in the creative industries, including:
- Care‑experienced young people
- Women
- Young people who are NEET
- People with health conditions
- Individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds
- People experiencing socio‑economic disadvantage
- Residents living in areas of high deprivation
The programme aims to remove structural barriers and expand access to careers in the creative sector, ensuring a broader pool of talent can participate in the region’s creative growth.
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.”
Set to launch in Spring 2026, the programme will deliver professional development, technical skills training, and networking opportunities.
Image credit: iStock
