So, what's it all about?
It's a hard life being a genius - subsisting on a diet of coffee, waiting for inspiration to strike, nobody appreciating your true worth until decades after your tragic early death.
Luckily, there are all sorts of other jobs in the creative industries that don't involve munching coffee beans all day long. We're talking about a multi-billion pound business, and one which the UK excels in. If you're somebody who's bursting with ideas or gets a buzz out of helping to create something, then a career in the creative sector could be inspiring, fun and rewarding.
So what areas are we talking about? Well, there's the arts for a start: the music and film industries, publishing, theatre, visual arts and so on. And crafty stuff, too, like woodwork or pottery. Admittedly, the plates we buy are more likely to be produced in a factory than hand-made in small potteries, but creative designers and skilled makers still have an important role to play.
The jobs involved aren't just the obvious ones. Take photography - making a living as a photographer is hard, but processing film or manipulating digital images can be an enjoyable and practical start. Or game testing: people are needed to iron out glitches in the latest Tom Clancy adventure. The computer games industry is big business, after all.
Then there's the media: TV, radio, magazines and newspapers, as well as 'new media'. That means websites, podcasts and whatever else gets dreamt up in the next few years: new areas are emerging all the time, thanks to the creative ideas of - you guessed it - creative people in the creative industries.
There are a lot of creative people looking for fulfilling jobs, so it can be tough to get a break in your chosen field. Apprenticeships are an excellent way to get a foot in the door. If you want to design gorgeous shoes, then learning your stuff by following the Footwear and Leathergoods programme is a great start. People will recognise your genius eventually.
What qualities do I need?
- have artistic or craft skills
- have bags of creative flair
- enjoy new ideas and have plenty of your own
- work as a part of a team (unless going for the poet-starving-in-attic option)
- be passionate about your chosen field
- take an interest in the arts and culture
- possess good communication skills
- be prepared to work long and sometimes unconventional hours
- be motivated by doing a job you love and not just money
Hours: You're more than likely to be working at evenings and weekends - although there are plenty of nine-to-five roles as well.
Environment: You could find yourself in a studio or workshop, in a factory or on a film set - it really depends on the job. One thing you can count on, though, is that you'll be surrounded by other creative and interesting people.
Location: Most jobs are found in London and larger cities, but there are openings for creative types in most places. There could be travel involved too - both around the UK and worldwide.
These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.
Apparel
Contact www.skillfast-uk.org
Ceramics
Contact www.actd.co.uk
Creative Industries
Contact www.ccskills.org
Footwear and leathergoods
Contact www.skillfast-uk.org
Games testing
Contact www.skillfast-uk.org
Textiles
Contact www.skillfast-uk.org
Click here for a list of employers offering Apprenticeships in this sector.
Job information
Arts Culture Media Jobs
www.artsculturemediajobs.com
A job website for the creative industries.
BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
Television, radio, print... the BBC is a major employer for the creative industries.
Blitz Games
Top games designer.
www.blitzgames.com
Creative Partnerships
www.creative-partnerships.com
A Government-led creativity programme for schools and young people.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
www.edfringe.com
The largest arts festival in the world.
Equity
www.equity.org.uk
The trade union that represents actors and performers.
Sci
www.sci.co.uk
London-based games developers.
The Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry
www.asbci.co.uk
Studio Pottery
www.studiopottery.co.uk
Crafts Council
www.craftscouncil.org.uk
Arts Council England
www.artscouncil.org.uk
British Footwear Association
www.britfoot.com
Careers in Clothing
www.careersinclothing.co.uk
Worldwide Textile Industry
www.texi.org
The Textile Centre of Excellence
www.textilehouse.co.uk