Over 1,000 young people from across the UK gathered at Production Park in West Yorkshire last week, as Production Futures ON TOUR showcased the wide and evolving range of careers available across the stage, screen and live events sectors.
From Production Managers and Lighting Designers to Creative Technologists and Virtual Production Specialists, the event demonstrated how both traditional craft roles and new technology-driven disciplines are reshaping the future of the industry.
With employers adopting new workflows, platforms and emerging technologies, industry leaders say this shift is creating clear opportunities for the next generation, particularly for young people with a blend of practical, technical and creative skills.
Industry voices emphasise collaboration and future-ready skills.
Lee Brooks, CEO, Production Park, said: “The creative industries don’t stand still. New formats, new platforms and new technologies, from live generative content to AI to virtual production, are creating roles today that didn’t exist even a few years ago. To keep pace, we need industry and education working hand-in-hand, anticipating what’s coming and preparing young people with the skills to thrive in it. Our aim at Production Park, in partnership with our on-campus higher education institution and industry training centre, Academy of Live Technology (ALT), is to make those pathways visible and accessible, because the opportunities for the next generation have never been greater.”
Hannah Eakins, Founder & CEO, Production Futures, commented: “Young people often don’t realise just how many rewarding, hands-on roles exist across production, live events, screen and digital industries. These careers are available across the whole country, and employers are actively looking for new talent.”
A sector evolving at speed, and creating new pathways into work
Rapid developments in AI, real-time engines, virtual production and new content formats are transforming how major productions, live events and digital experiences are delivered. As these technologies take root, new hybrid roles are emerging alongside long-established production crafts.
Research from Creative PEC shows that 65% of hard-to-fill roles across the creative industries are linked to skills shortages, while 78% of creative employers experiencing these issues suggest they affect high-skill occupations. Three quarters (76%) point to a lack of specialist and technical skills needed for the role, and advanced or specialist digital skills are a particular concern for creative employers who were twice as likely to point to skills deficiencies in these areas.
Rather than signalling a shortage, industry leaders say this demonstrates the scale of opportunity for young people to step into areas such as broadcast engineering, virtual production, lighting programming, set construction, content creation and technical operations.
A thriving and diverse creative economy
The UK’s creative and cultural industries remain a major national employer and growth sector. Government figures show that DCMS-linked industries support 4 million jobs,
representing 11.7% of the UK workforce, with the creative industries alone accounting for 2.4 million roles across film, TV, music, theatre, design, software and more.
We’re proud to have played host to such a dynamic and inspiring event and look forward to continuing to support the next generation of production talent.