Building tomorrow’s creatives

At Powerhouse, we are huge advocates for inclusivity within the creative sector, and are on a mission to make sure everyone’s voice is heard, valued, and celebrated.

Highlighting the significance of such initiatives, our CEO, Neil Adams, commented, “The North’s creative industry has so much potential. It’s our responsibility to influence it positively and leave a lasting impact. By investing in the education of future talent, we’re ensuring a legacy that resonates with innovation, diversity, and limitless possibilities”.

Building on the success of last year’s event designed for young marketing professionals, we shifted our focus this year towards providing Leeds’ university students with an immersive experience into the dynamic creative scene. 

The event featured a panel discussion with female industry leaders from brands Magnet Kitchens, Dr Oetker, MPM, and agency Alchemy Media, in which attendees had the unique opportunity to glean valuable insights, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs in their careers. 

The students also got stuck in with a hands-on activity facilitated by our in-house team. Under the guidance of professionals across the board – from client services, producers to creatives – students delved into the intricacies of content production, gaining a firsthand look at the entire process, from the initial client briefing to the final delivery.  

The impact on the participants’ perceptions and career aspirations was overwhelmingly positive, as evidenced by the survey responses. 100% of attendees expressed a better understanding of working in the creative sector and affirmed that they now have clarity about their next career steps. 80% agreed that the event significantly contributed to progressing their career planning. 80% expressed willingness to apply for positions within the company. Finally, attendees rated the likelihood of recommending an insight visit to a friend an average of 9 on a scale of 1-10. 

Our People Development Manager, Debbie Adams, expressed the vital role that creative businesses have in shaping the next generation of (creative) talent. “We want to play our part in showcasing our vibrant industry and developing students’ awareness of the variety of career paths on offer and the key skills and attributes they need to succeed in a challenging job market. I encourage all businesses to make those connections with their local universities and get involved – it’s fun, really satisfying and great development for your own team!”