Methodology
The research team undertook a desk-based literature review to explore how these issues have previously been theorised, discussed and addressed. Whilst undertaking this, they contacted organisations in the city of Bristol who work with young people to develop Creative Skills, and the Project Director met with a representative from organisations to discuss the project's aims. These organisations were identified initially through the 3 collaborating partners’ existing networks (Local Authority, Education Sector and Voluntary/Arts Sector) and then added to as additional organisations engaged in this work were identified throughout the first 3 months of the project. These networks were tested and validated through ongoing professional discussions and meetings, and a map of the network of organisations produced to inform the second stage of the project and future work
The meetings with professionals working in education (formal and informal) were used to inform the next stage of the project.
Organisations working with young people in the city were asked to nominate young people who worked with them and who were interested in developing careers in the Creative Industries Sector who might be prepared to be interviewed about their aspirations, their ambitions and their experiences to date.
Five young people were employed by Knowle West Media Centre to work as research assistants on the project. These young people carried out interviews with the young people across the city who had been nominated by participating organisations.
Employers in the Creative and Digital Industries Sectors in the city were identified through existing networks, attendance at conferences, sector seminars and through the developing work of the Local Enterprise Partnership's Creative Skills Strand.
Organisations working in the city to support young people's skills development in the Creative Industries Sectors were contacted by e-mail with brief information about the project, and invited to participate in a professional discussion about the project aims. Professional discussions lasted for approximately 45-60mins and took place on the organisations premises, or in a venue of their choice (for example a local cafe).
Young people were contacted directly by the informal education organisations with whom they had previously worked to request their participation in a short interview. Interviews took place at the organisations premises, or in a public venue of the participants choice.
Pupils at 3 schools in the city, with a range of different demographics in terms of progression to HE and existing familial employment experience in the Creative Industries, were contacted by a representative of the school to request their participation in a focus group interview, which took place during the scheduled teaching day at the host school.
The Project Director contacted employers in these sectors in the city via e-mail, and undertook interviews with them to explore the issues raised in the project from their perspective, and also met with representatives from relevant industry representative organisations (for example Sector Skills Councils and Bristol Media) to discuss the aims of the project and the existing provision and infrastructure which is already in place to support entry into employment in these sectors.
The meetings with professionals working in education (formal and informal) were used to inform the next stage of the project.
Organisations working with young people in the city were asked to nominate young people who worked with them and who were interested in developing careers in the Creative Industries Sector who might be prepared to be interviewed about their aspirations, their ambitions and their experiences to date.
Five young people were employed by Knowle West Media Centre to work as research assistants on the project. These young people carried out interviews with the young people across the city who had been nominated by participating organisations.
Employers in the Creative and Digital Industries Sectors in the city were identified through existing networks, attendance at conferences, sector seminars and through the developing work of the Local Enterprise Partnership's Creative Skills Strand.
Organisations working in the city to support young people's skills development in the Creative Industries Sectors were contacted by e-mail with brief information about the project, and invited to participate in a professional discussion about the project aims. Professional discussions lasted for approximately 45-60mins and took place on the organisations premises, or in a venue of their choice (for example a local cafe).
Young people were contacted directly by the informal education organisations with whom they had previously worked to request their participation in a short interview. Interviews took place at the organisations premises, or in a public venue of the participants choice.
Pupils at 3 schools in the city, with a range of different demographics in terms of progression to HE and existing familial employment experience in the Creative Industries, were contacted by a representative of the school to request their participation in a focus group interview, which took place during the scheduled teaching day at the host school.
The Project Director contacted employers in these sectors in the city via e-mail, and undertook interviews with them to explore the issues raised in the project from their perspective, and also met with representatives from relevant industry representative organisations (for example Sector Skills Councils and Bristol Media) to discuss the aims of the project and the existing provision and infrastructure which is already in place to support entry into employment in these sectors.