Creative Industries - Pan-European Partner-Finding Webinar - VET

This pan-European partner-finding webinar will bring together UK vocational education and training (VET) organisations and European counterparts to explore opportunities for collaboration across the creative industries. The event will support the development of a skilled, innovative and digitally capable creative workforce, aligned with the UK Industrial Strategy and the growing economic and cultural contribution of creative businesses and organisations.

The creative industries are undergoing significant transformation, driven by digitalisation, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, changing audience expectations and new approaches to content creation, production and distribution. High-quality vocational education and training is essential to preparing learners, apprentices and the existing workforce for these developments, supporting creative talent, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth across the sector.

The webinar will provide a platform for UK colleges, training providers, awarding bodies, creative businesses, cultural organisations, sector skills bodies and other stakeholders to connect with potential European partners, share expertise and identify opportunities for transnational cooperation.

Key themes may include digital media, film and television, animation, games development, graphic design, fashion, textiles, music, performing arts, visual arts, photography, creative technologies and content creation. Other areas may include immersive technologies, virtual and augmented reality, digital storytelling, creative entrepreneurship, cultural heritage, audience development, intellectual property, apprenticeships, work-based learning, employer engagement and innovative approaches to curriculum development and creative skills training.

With the UK set to join the Erasmus+ programme in January 2027, the webinar offers a timely opportunity to establish European partnerships, explore learner and staff mobility, and develop collaborative education and training projects. Participants will be encouraged to identify shared priorities and prepare for relevant KA1 mobility and KA2 cooperation opportunities and application deadlines in 2027.

Partner Matchmaking: How to Prepare

We will facilitate partner matchmaking through breakout rooms and Padlet. Please come prepared to share the following information:

• Organisation profile: A brief introduction to your organisation, key contact details and a link to your website.
• Project interests: Are you interested in a KA1 learner or staff mobility project, or a KA2 cooperation partnership?
• Sector specialisms: Which areas are you interested in exploring? For example, digital media, film, animation, games, graphic design, fashion, music, performing arts, visual arts or creative technologies.
• Partnership opportunities: What expertise, facilities, creative programmes, industry links or project ideas could your organisation contribute to a European partnership?

The webinar aims to build lasting UK-European partnerships that connect vocational education and training with creative industry priorities, support future Erasmus+ opportunities and contribute to a skilled, diverse and innovative creative workforce.