A new partnership between Common People, a community for working-class talent in the creative industries, and the education charity Working Options has launched a programme to deliver 100 talks in state schools across socio-economic cold spots in England and Wales.
The Common People Schools Tour 25/26 will begin on Social Mobility Day, 12 June 2025. It aims to improve visibility and access to creative careers for students from working-class backgrounds.
Creative professionals from working-class backgrounds across South Yorkshire, Manchester, London, Bristol, Essex, and East Sussex have signed up to deliver talks in disciplines including public relations, advertising, design, music, and media. The talks will share personal stories and practical pathways into the industry, covering roles, pay, and first steps.
The initiative is led by Laura Burch, founder of the communications agency Work & Class, and Tom Armstrong, co-founder of Common People. Burch spoke of the scheme: “The creative sector talks a good game when it comes to diversity, but for young people from working class backgrounds, it still feels locked behind invisible walls. I for one had no idea that these jobs existed and found my way into the industry totally by chance. This initiative is about opening the door by showing kids the real, living proof that people like them have made it in – and they can too.”
Armstrong added: “The lack of access is often about not knowing where to begin. Or not being able to ask your dad’s mate who is a film director, or an ad exec to get you some work experience. We’re flipping that by putting working class creatives directly in front of the next generation. We’re not just talking at them, but connecting to them and offering them access to the networks we never had.”
Sue Maskrey, CEO of Working Options in Education, expressed why this initiative is important: “We know that multiple encounters with employers can transform a young person’s future by boosting their chances of being in work or education and even raising future earnings. That’s why this partnership is so powerful right now – at a time when NEET numbers are due to reach 1 million.
Getting creative industry professionals into classrooms – especially those who share the backgrounds of our students – makes careers feel possible, not out of reach. The creative sector adds over £124 billion to the UK economy. This isn’t just about inspiration – it’s about common sense and unlocking talent, driving social mobility, and fuelling an industry that thrives on fresh voices.”
The programme will also include a flagship event where 100 state school students and industry professionals will come together to network, engage with a panel discussion, and begin building direct connections to the industry.
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