Skills-based higher education for creative industries

Students have a wide range of higher education institutions to choose from, covering every conceivable course. While some select a university based on considerations such as cost, others have emotional motivations, such as staying close to home. Many place a premium on academic status, others – particularly those wanting to pursue careers in the live events and creative industries – seek institutions which offer practical experience. 

When it comes to higher education for creative careers, the importance of offering practical, skills-based education cannot be underestimated. Students who attend schools that specialise in teaching the skills they need to excel in a particular creative field will be well-prepared to enter the working world. 

And employers are increasingly looking for graduates with transferable workplace skills. This is a major factor for students wanting to attend institutions that offer a diverse range of experiential education opportunities. Not only does it allow students to gain practical experience, boosting confidence in their abilities, but it also reassures employers that their new graduates employees have the necessary experience and training  to work with a high level of independence and competence.

The value of real-world experience

Students usually have a general idea about a particular career, but they don’t always understand what a typical day might look like. Institutions offering immersive experiences play a vital role as they enable students to get a taste of different careers to help them determine which one is right for them.

Additionally, learning from industry experts give students a better idea of the industry and its challenges. Through such practical education, students have the opportunity to engage with job-specific tasks and learn specialised techniques under the direct supervision of experienced industry professionals. 

In the live events and creative industries, these are not usually academics, but professionals at the top of their game. Under their tutelage, students get the opportunity to create unique and ambitious projects that push the boundaries of creativity and expression.

Hand in hand with this professional tuition, students can apply themselves to the use of cutting-edge technology. Rather than just learning about equipment and its use in different jobs, students are afforded extensive hands-on training, allowing them to sharpen their technical skills alongside formal studying. This means that when they transition to the workplace, they don’t require on the job training in operating tools and equipment, as they already have hands-on experience.

Importantly, students taught by professionals active in the industry have, from day one, the opportunity to network. And a strong network can play a vital role in finding a job and building a successful career after graduation. 

Bridging the gap between education and work

The goal of most practically oriented universities is to deliver creative and critical thinkers who possess the technical, dynamic, and professional capabilities required by industry.

By enabling students to gain hands-on experience throughout their education, such institutions ensure that the transition to the working world for students is minimal. After all, they have already been exposed to the tools and environments in which they will work, and they have successfully navigated various real-world situations. 

Completing practical projects is extremely valuable in helping students build employable resumes before they even graduate. Often, such projects also expose them to various industry experts, enabling them to start building a professional network they can potentially leverage after graduation. This helps to open doors to new possibilities.

Higher education with a difference

Backstage Academy prides itself on immersing students in industry from the start. Located at Production Park in Yorkshire, it is the world’s premier campus for live events, film, TV and virtual production. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, short courses and bespoke training and e-learning for the live events and creative industries.

The academy is unique in terms of its campus. Production Park is an internationally renowned destination for technically challenging live productions. It is home to a community of live events businesses and six studios where pioneering work is continually fed back into the educational ecosystem. Studying at Backstage provides students the opportunity to work with leading designers, artists, technicians, producers and managers in the industry.

With the live events industry calling out for creative individuals who ‘know how to do things’, those looking to pursue a career in creative industries should seek out an institution with an immersive, hands-on approach which will train them up to be ready and able to enter the industry.

Rachel Nicholson is Head of Institution at Backstage Academy.
 backstage-academy.co.uk 
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 Rachel Nicholson