Manchester is no stranger to musical genius. Oasis, The Smiths, Aitch, The Stone Roses and the Blossoms. These are just some of the musical acts from a very long list of names that have their roots in Manchester. Over the years the city-region has produced world class acts spanning multiple different genres.

It’s evident that there is a clear passion for music within Greater Manchester, and a lot of talent too!

Perhaps you’re one of these people, and you’re contemplating a career in the music industry. If this is you, you’re in the right place!

Welcome to our series on jobs you may not have explored, where we focus on different topics you might be studying and what careers you could pursue within that field.

What could I do?

A career in the music industry can be a lot of different things. You might love performing or perhaps you prefer being behind the scenes. Maybe you’d want to use your skills to help others.

Here are three jobs in the world of music that you may not have explored…

College courses start at level 2 and go to level 3 and are titled something like ‘practical performance’. There’s a chance you’ll have to audition for these courses.

There’s also the option of further study at university, or a conservatoire. A conservatoire is a type of university that only provides artistic courses.

Each course offered at this level is unique, so you need to be careful when reading the descriptions of the course. Again, you’ll be expected to audition for these courses.

In addition to your qualifications, you may also need to have achieved a certain level in your instrument. These are called grades and can be awarded by different music schools.

Music Therapist

The power that music has on our emotions is strong. So strong that it can completely change how we are feeling in the moment and help us through difficult periods.

Incorporating music into your daily routine can be a great way to boost your mood and increase your overall wellbeing. To learn more, check out this blog.

Music therapists are professionals that help people with managing their emotions through musical practices.

To become a music therapist, it is generally required to go to university. Usually, a degree in music is the usual route for those hoping to become music therapists, before studying music therapy as a masters.

However, many postgraduate courses are now welcoming people on to their courses that have done psychology or education undergraduate degrees. But you must be highly skilled in music too. Always check the course entry requirements to check what universities ask for.

There is also the option to do a level 7 apprenticeship in ‘Art Therapy’ as an alternative to the master’s qualification.

Volunteering within health and social care environment is a great way to enhance your CV and boost your chances of getting a place on one of these programs too.

 If a more technical pathway is for you, there are apprenticeships that range from level 3 to level 6. These programs use different titles and include the words ‘audio’ or ‘technicians’ rather than sound engineering. Make sure you’re reading the descriptions carefully, so you know you’re applying to the right course.

As a lot of what sound engineers do is hands on, some people prefer to work rather enrol onto a program. They do this by taking on volunteering opportunities or apply for entry level roles as an assistant.

However, some of these job roles still want the person they’re employing to have some degree of skill or have a qualification in the field even at entry level. So, check this before you apply.

Your career in music could be electric. We’ve covered three jobs in the musical field today, however there’s more out there to discover!

If you feel that your passion for music could turn into a career, then researching what options are available to you is the first step. You never know, the pathway to your ideal job role could be a few clicks away.

Hello, and welcome back to another edition of our ‘What Could I Do with My Qualification? Jobs You May Not Have Explored’ series.

This blog will look at three different biology-related careers, so if science is your subject, keep reading!

Is a career in biology for me?

Perhaps you’re naturally interested in biology. You’re curious about the way living organisms work, or even how they came to be. Maybe you’ve found that you perform well in your biology lessons, and think you’d like to develop those skills further.

Biology can open doors to different career paths, like the medical or environmental fields. We’ve picked three jobs that you might consider if you like biology!

Getting work experience is also valuable when it comes to a role like this. Opportunities to develop your skills can not only enhance your probability of getting a job in the future but will help you discover what you enjoy doing.

There are jobs available that are related to this role; however, volunteering is also a great place to gain experience. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to exploring volunteering opportunities, check our blog on the value of volunteering.

The opportunities go on, and on and on…

Still wondering what other job roles you could do by studying biology? It’s worth researching more into the careers we’ve mentioned today, you don’t know what else you might find!

Anyone studying biology knows how diverse the topic can be and this reflects in the job opportunities the subject has to offer, we need biology lovers like you to fill those roles in the future!

Want a job that could help save the planet? Well, a job in the Construction and Green Economy gateway could be for you. We hear a lot about construction careers; however, the term ‘green sector’ is newer. In this article, we’ll explore jobs from the green sector as well as the broader Construction and Green Economy gateway.

So, what is the green sector?

Having a job in the green sector means you work with the environment. The emphasis is on the word green, as it refers to anything environmental.

There are lots of different jobs in this field. They range from those who work practical roles, like a park ranger, to those who work in offices, like policy makers or data analysts. As long as it’s to do with the environment, it’s a green job.

Why should I aspire to work in the green sector?

A green career means you’ll be playing your part in a global effort to fight against climate change. It can be very rewarding knowing that the work that you do has such a positive impact.

After more information about what the climate crisis is? Check out this blog on Curriculum for Life for more.

Considering an apprenticeship in Manchester?

If you’re looking for some job options in construction and the green economy, here are some of the roles that you can do an apprenticeship in:

• Carpenter
• Bricklayer
• Joiner
• Plumber
• Engineering Technician
• Landscaper

Apprenticeships offer you the chance to not only learn skills in your chosen specialised field, but develop the ‘soft’ skills that employers love.

Want to learn more about this? Check out our blog on the skills you can develop from an apprenticeship for more.

Want to discover more about the Construction and Green Economy?

If you’re wondering what other pathways are available within this sector, we have just the right tool for you. Explore the Construction and Green Economy gateway on Beeline.

Your dream career is a click away!

Actuary

As an actuary, your job is to analyse numbers, normally in the form of data. You’ll then determine future risks to organisations or individuals. As part of this role, you’d also consider how future events could impact on people financially. Once you establish what these could be, it’s your role to try to prepare for this, and you’d do this by creating a plan. Your work is there to support people and organisations, so they can be assured they’re making informed decisions to protect themselves or their businesses.

There are multiple routes to becoming an actuary. Starting with the University route, you could do a degree in a maths-related subject first. Perhaps in maths itself, or accounting, economics or something similar. Which would put you in a great position to apply for graduate schemes. If an academic pathway is for you, have a look at your options and what actuary graduate programmes are asking for. It will give you an idea of what they’re looking for.

If you’d prefer to immerse yourself in the world of work as you learn, there are also apprenticeship routes to the role. The apprenticeships begin at level 4 and could be titled Actuary Technician or something similar. There are also options to do degree apprenticeships to become an Actuary. Not sure how apprenticeships work? Check out our blog on technical courses to get the information you need.

Lastly, there’s the work experience route. You might be studying or working in a relevant field and aspire to change pathways. If you have experience that an employer thinks are transferable, you could cross over into the field. Although if you did want more concrete experience in the field, you might want to research opportunities that will let you volunteer or give you access to people working in the field who can advise you further.

Statistician

Another data role! Data is appreciated in most organisations. By looking at the facts and figures, it allows individuals or organisations to improve their work. This is why data-related roles are so sought after.  As a statistician, this job is less about predicting and more about dealing with the present, though there is still a bit of prediction too. This job does come under different titles, so it might be called a statistics analyst or a statistics officer. The process of collecting data can be lengthy, and a statistician is present for a lot of that journey.  You’ll arrange ways to collect data, through experiments and or using certain resources. It’s then your job to interpret the data and communicate the findings to your team or clients. Statistics use their mathematical skills to understand the data and use their findings to help others.

To pursue this route, it’s expected that you have some training or have completed a learning programme to work as a statistician.  Suppose you aspire to go to university, by choosing a course in maths, statistics or economics. You could then be considered for a graduate scheme or entry-level roles. However, other courses can provide you with the same knowledge.

The apprenticeship route is an option to become a statistician, and this can be done at a degree level too. The apprenticeship can sometimes be more personalised to the industry you want to go into as a statistician, so do your research. Especially if you’d prefer a course that allows you more flexibility. Although if you’d prefer to learn on the job, by choosing a T Level in Digital Data Analytics, the industry placement may give you the experience you need to apply for entry-level roles as soon as you leave education. To learn more about industry placements and their benefits, check out our blog on game-changing industry placements

Other ways to gain experience are through volunteering or in related job roles. Although even with this experience, some employers may still request a relevant qualification.  Make sure you do your homework!

What more is out there?

As we mentioned earlier, maths skills are an asset to many organisations. There are plenty of jobs roles that exist that have maths incorporated into them. And there are lots of employers who you wouldn’t normally associate with maths, but need people with maths skills to help them run their businesses efficiently. 

Your skills can be an asset!

Something many people don’t realise about Greater Manchester is that it wasn’t just important during the Industrial Revolution, it was actually the first industrial city in the world!

Those famous worker bees you see across the city? These are a symbol of the thousands of Mancunians that worked hard during the Industrial Revolution. They all came together to make the city what it is now.

What educational options do I choose if I want a career in Manufacturing?

There are so many ways to get your career in manufacturing started. Technical educational courses are a particularly popular way to get started.

Unsure of what technical education is? Check out our blog on technical education to get informed.

If doing a T Level interests you, a course that could help start a career in manufacturing is Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing.

It’s 2-year program that offers you the opportunity to cover a wide range of different topics in engineering and manufacturing and provides you with a 45-day placement to gain industry experience.

Maybe an apprenticeship is something you’ve considered. The option to earn while you learn and gain real life experience can be really useful to someone beginning their career.  The appeal of an apprenticeship is that it can be specific to a certain role or multi-disciplinary.

Whether you want to train in a particular role like Mechanical Fitter or Welder, or you’d rather keep your options broader and opt for a course that covers a range of engineering or manufacturing skills, there a plenty of different options.

The best thing about these courses is that they give you to skills to continue your development in the workplace or possibly carry on your educational journey. The choice is yours.

Check out our T Levels and Apprenticeships pages to discover more. You’ll find inspiration for your future career and how technical education can get you there.

Greater Manchester’s industrial future

The industrial story of Greater Manchester continues to this day.

As a constantly evolving industry, the world of engineering and manufacturing is always in need of fresh talent who can bring something new. Maybe this is you?

To be a part of Greater Manchester’s Industrial Future, use Beeline to explore the Engineering and Manufacturing gateway.

Many people choose to do an apprenticeship because it gives them the opportunity learn the technical skills whilst on the job as well as gaining a qualification in their chosen field.

But apprenticeships don’t just lead to qualifications and industry specific skills, they also build soft skills that employers love to see.

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are skills that can be adapted to any role and are even transferrable to everyday life. Having a strong set of skills is helpful as it makes it easier for you to adapt to new situations and to build stronger relationships with others.

Although there is a lot of value in having strong technical skills or being academic, soft skills can be as equally powerful. Having soft skills does not just make you a more likeable person, but a more respected and professional person in the eyes of others.

So, what are these soft skills? Read on to find out more.

Why do employers love this skill?

Good communication builds trust. When apprentices learn to communicate professionally it can cement their reputation as an approachable and confident person within the workplace, but these skills will also benefit them if they choose to move on.

Teamwork

Working well within a team can be attributed to many things, but generally it means being dependable, respectful of others and eager to contribute.

How do apprentices develop this skill?

As an apprentice, you are going to be learning from industry professionals. This means you’ll be working within a team. It might be a small team, or there may be so many people that you lose count.

This means you’ll be working with people who are at different levels in their career or may work in a different job role to you completely. But what matters is that you work together effectively and can identify each other’s strengths and capabilities so you can achieve a shared goal.

Having the opportunity to experience the workplace will also allow you to learn workplace etiquette. This can be as important as participating in shared work projects.

Every workplace has different rules and expectations. When you have experience working in those environments as apprentices do, that can help you navigate new spaces a lot easier as you have a rough idea of what to expect.

Why do employers love this skill?

People who have done apprenticeships have learned that success at work is not always from individual effort. Effective teamwork has helped them achieve their goals.

Bering able to prove to a future employer that you can work in a team will help them visualise where you might be able to fit into their organisation.

Problem solving skills

A problem at work could be a range of different things. This might mean missing deadlines, extra work coming in last minute, or something being more difficult than it first looked. These things might not be your fault, but being able to make plans to solve these kinds of workplace problems is a great skill to develop.

How do apprentices develop this skill?

We’re all accustomed to having to deal with problems, but apprentices are in a privileged position as usually they’re learning from the best.

As an apprentice, there’s a high chance you might have lots of opportunities to shadow other employees. Being able to watch how they manage problems is a very insightful experience and will inform your ability to manage similar situations.

As most apprentices are entry level roles, you’ll be responsible for tasks that you have never done before. Although we try and avoid it, making mistakes is a part of working. But we learn from our mistakes, and it contributes to our ability to spot possible issues or not repeat errors we’ve made in the past. It can even help us learn how to handle a situation that hasn’t gone to plan.

Why do employers love this skill?

Apprentices have experienced things going wrong, whether that’s to do with their own work or by watching their team deal with an issue.

However, as a result they can identify issues and then plan to solve them. This skill can be a great help to an employer.

Organisation and time keeping

Being able to plan, manage your tasks and keep to deadlines is a useful way to work efficiently and keep your stress levels down.

How do apprenticeships develop this skill?

As an apprentice, whether your tasks are completed individually or within a group, you’ll have to work towards a deadline. Learning how to organise your schedule and work plan to meet deadlines is an important skill.

As part of an apprenticeship, you are also expected to work and to dedicate time to your studies. This experience teaches an apprentice how to balance their tasks. What needs to be practised and how much time they need so they can complete everything.

Lastly, whether you’re heading to work or attending college for your learning days, you need to manage your time keeping. It can be as simple as making sure you leave enough time to get to work on time in the morning. Apprentices quickly find out that they are the ones accountable for organising themselves.

Why do employers love this skill?

Employees who manage their time well and who are organised are seen as more reliable. Knowing that your employee will meet the deadlines that you set, or turn up to meetings on time, is reassuring to an employer.

Strong soft skills + technical skills = the perfect candidate

Apprenticeships create confident, skilled, and adaptable employees.

Being able to communicate well can land you the job when you go for an interview, showing that you’re a problem solver could prove you’re responsible and lead to a promotion, being a good team player in your old job has convinced someone to start that business with you. The list is endless.

The combination of soft skills and technical experience makes apprentices highly attractive to employers, not just now, but throughout their careers.

Thinking about doing an apprenticeship? Check out the GMACS apprenticeship search to find out what’s out there.

A degree apprenticeship is where you work and study to achieve a degree in a certain field. This means you’ll be working in a job where the work that you do contributes to the running of a business or organisation, however you’ll be also be spending some of that time learning at a university and focusing on your studies.

They offer you the opportunity to have an alternative university experience, one that allows you the practical work experience as well as a university education.

This blog breaks down what degree apprenticeships involve, the benefits they offer, and how to apply for one.

Read on for more!

Why would you choose to do a degree apprenticeship?

There are many reasons why people choose to go to university, but why would you choose to do a degree apprenticeship as opposed to the more traditional route of studying full time?

One of the biggest appeals of doing a degree apprenticeship is that you’ll be able to earn while you learn. Working full-time will pay you a salary from your employer, and because your tuition fees are paid by your employer (or in some circumstances through government funding) you are not responsible for funding your studies. So, when you finish your degree, you’re not left with a large student loan.

Another reason that draws people to doing a degree apprenticeship is the multiple opportunities to develop your skillset. As an employee, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical skills within your chosen industry, which are highly valued by employers. But you’ll also have the chance to work alongside professionals which is a great way to network and learn from experienced individuals.

To add to those skills, you’re also attending university and dedicating time to the academic side of your field. This gives you a deep knowledge of your field from your studies, as well as industry experience. This should give you lots of confidence to move forward with the next steps of your career!

How to find and apply for degree apprenticeships?

You can do a degree apprenticeships within many different industries, but where do you find the opportunities?

Before you begin your job search, it’s likely you have an idea of what industry you’d like work and study in. Researching the different opportunities is a great way to start the process and to find specific roles you’d like to apply for.

As degree apprenticeships aren’t exactly like applying for a job, university websites like UCAS advertise programs you can apply for, the same way you’d apply to be a full-time student.

Alternatively, there’s sites like the Gov.uk apprenticeship search or other dedicated apprenticeships sites that advertise what apprenticeship roles are available, and you can usually filter these searches by region or apprenticeship level.

Because of the working element of a degree apprenticeship, these roles can also be advertised on employment websites that you’d use for other jobs.

Perhaps you’re already aware of some organisations you’d like to work for. If this is the case, it’s worth checking their websites as not all companies advertise their training programs on employment sites.

It’s important to keep an open mind when searching for a degree apprenticeship. Do lots of research, attend relevant events and careers fairs and remember that you need to check for new job listings regularly.

Am I eligible?

Every course is different, but all these jobs will advertise what entry requirements they have. For degree apprenticeships, you need to check that you’re applying for the program that’s right for you.

At a minimum, it’s likely that they’ll be searching for candidates who would also be eligible for full-time study at degree level.

Tips for a strong application

As we’ve already covered, applying to do a degree apprenticeship is like applying for a job, so that application process is similar.

As you would when applying for a job role, you need a CV ready that gives a good presentation of your skills and experience. It’s a good idea to also have a cover letter that demonstrates who you are. These can be adapted to each job role you apply for.

Alternatively, you might need to fill in an application and write a personal statement – you could adapt this from your cover letter!

Either way, it’s important to demonstrate who you are when making these applications. You need to make references to your achievements, prove that you’re passionate about the field you wish to work in and why you want the role in question.

Looking for further support? Check out our Curriculum for Life blog on how can I land my apprenticeship or job.

Could a degree apprenticeship be right for you?

Degree apprenticeships are a great choice if you want to kickstart your career as you learn.

The experience of working and studying at the same time can give you a clearer picture of what you’d like your future career might look like and will also help you morph into a knowledgeable and experienced professional in your chosen field.

Deciding whether university is right for you is a decision that requires a lot of thought.

University is a popular choice for many, but it’s not for everyone. Some people might choose to go straight into the world of work. Other people might do apprenticeships or other courses. But going to university to get a degree is a common choice.

Applying

To apply for university, you must apply through UCAS, which is the admissions service for people to apply for university.

To make an application through UCAS, you must first create an account on UCAS, link it with your school or college, and then add all your personal details.

This includes personal information, educational background, references and you’ll have to write a personal statement. It’s important to write a strong personal statement as it’s an opportunity to show the university who you are and what you hope to achieve from doing the programme.

When do I need to apply by?

In general, most courses that start in September will close their applications in January. However, if you’re applying for certain courses or universities, the deadlines can be different.

Prospective medicine students and those wishing to apply for top universities, like Cambridge or Oxford, are expected to submit their application in October.

The process of application can be different if you’re applying to a conservatoire as you must audition for these establishments. Some of these establishments are also not on UCAS, so you’ll need to expand your search outside of UCAS.

To apply for university, you must also pay a fee. The price differs depending on how many courses you apply for or what school you’re making an application for, so make sure you’re aware of how much you need to pay so there’s no big surprises when you come to the end of your application.

Offers

Over the next few weeks and months, you’ll start to receive responses from the universities you’ve applied for.

There are four responses you might receive:

• An invitation to interview (which would lead to one of the following)
• An unconditional offer (you have met all the requirements)
• A conditional offer (you need to complete qualifications to secure your place)
• Unsuccessful or withdrawn (you were unsuccessful in your application, or you or the university had to withdraw it)

Applying for financial support

Although your place at university might not be secured just yet, you still have to apply for financial support with Student Finance months in advance. This needs to done sooner rather than later.

You need to apply for:

• Student loan
• Maintenance loan (for everyday living expenses, like accommodation or travel)
• Any bursaries or other schemes you may be entitled to

The forms you need to complete can be lengthy and will require parents and guardians to provide their financial details too. This is so that Student Finance can get an idea of your financial situation, as well as the people who may be supporting you as you study. This means they can assess what loan is right for you.

Once this is completed this needs to be processed by Student Finance and they will then confirm the amount you will receive.

For more information, visit Student Finance England.

Accommodation

If you’re planning to move away or live in halls for university, you also need to find accommodation.

When looking at accommodation you need to consider the cost. What can I afford? Will my maintenance loan cover my rent? If so, will I have any money left over to spend on everyday needs?

There’s lots to consider, so don’t rush the process and ask for support from a trusted adult.

More support

If you have more questions about the process of applying to university, the UCAS website has lots of resources to help you with the application and advice on what to expect.

Otherwise, good luck!

As it was recently Small Business Saturday, it got us thinking about what being a young entrepreneur in Greater Manchester feels like.

Starting your own business can feel like a scary prospect, especially if you don’t have anyone in your life that works as a freelancer or runs a business of their own.

Knowing where to start and what to expect can feel the one of the biggest obstacles to starting your own business.

That’s why we’re talking to young entrepreneurs in Greater Manchester who have pursued their passions on their own terms, and are now giving advice to the next generation of future business owners – you!

How has running a business changed you as a person?

Running a business has made me so much more confident in myself and my own abilities, as well as knowing my own strengths and weaknesses. I know I am not great with numbers, so I have friends or business people I know who can check it for me.

Online, I really like making content and connecting with other small businesses as well as my customers. 5 years ago I would never have had the confidence to even talk to a customer, let alone another business owner.

When I first started Katchee, I didn’t really care to know about the numbers or my audience.

Nowadays, I am constantly on top of the numbers, constantly wanting to improve margins and understand my audience better, what makes them tick, why would they buy from me, what other products would they like?

What skills have you developed that you didn’t expect to?

I have developed so many skills I didn’t even realise I would need, from content creation to product photography and SEO, to working out margins on a spreadsheet, as a sole trader you really do have to do it all.

I think I have gained valuable transferable skills like customer service, interpersonal skills, problem solving and so many other things. I will also admit I don’t know everything about business and probably never will. If there is a day where I am no longer learning something new, that’s the day I retire.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to young entrepreneurs?

Learn the fundamentals of business before you grow, know your audience and what they need, what problem do you solve for them? Don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone who knows their stuff, sometimes you’d be surprised what you learn from a mentor, more experienced business person, or an organisation like The Kings Trust or The Growth Company.

Meet Lucy, Nail and Beauty Therapist, and owner of Lu Lotus

What inspired you to start your business?  

At first, nails were just something I enjoyed on the side to get me through university. But over time, I realised I didn’t fit inside traditional jobs. I wanted work that didn’t drain me but nurtured me. 

What began as something small, slowly grew because people believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Clients shared my work, told their friends, and little by little, it became clear that I was allowed to build something different. 

How do you stay motivated and organised day-to-day? 

Not every season is about growth, and I try to lean into that. I conserve energy when I need to, and grab inspiration whenever it hits. Then, when I have the time and energy, I dive into the new things I’m most excited to try. 

On days I don’t bounce out of bed ready for work, I remind myself I’ve had days like these before -and most often, I end up feeling lighter, brighter, and quietly proud by the time I finish.  

Organisation-wise let’s just say I’m a work in progress.  Morning rituals like lighting incense, softening the lights and setting the mood via music help me stay grounded. Not an organisation queen, but I know how to deliver a playlist that brings the vibes! Beyond that, I live by my calendar and Notes app. (Tips welcome -I’ll take all the hacks!)

How has running a business changed you as a person?

I’ve become more resilient. I’m less scared to try new things, because even if they fail, I know I’ll learn something along the way and give my clients a good giggle.

Running my business has also shown me how much I really love people – my people. My vibe has attracted my tribe, and it keeps attracting them! I’ve learned to trust myself and my intuition more, and to honour my own pace. Taking time for me actually adds to my business.

Slowing down helps me show up for myself, my business, and my clients, feeling rejuvenated and fully like me.

What skills have you developed that you didn’t expect to?

Well, I didn’t know I had this much resilience! I’ve also built confidence I never thought I’d have, just by showing up consistently for my clients and for the business in my own way.

I’ve discovered the magic of my own rhythm.  I don’t do things the ‘traditional’ way. And that works for me. Turns out, following your own pace, and giving yourself a break when needed, is a skill in itself.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to young entrepreneurs?

Find your people (by being yourself)-mentors, workshops, communities of other small business owners -and soak up inspiration. The scary parts feel less scary when you know you’re not alone, and your tribe will help you trust yourself, keep your momentum, and enjoy the ride.

Don’t get stuck on soaking up the inspiration though. Do it wrong. Do it scared. But Do.

You don’t have to have it all figured out, and you definitely don’t have to follow a traditional playbook. Show up, take the leaps, make mistakes, and trust your intuition.

Where can I go for help?

If that’s got you excited about the idea of being an entrepeneur, why not check out our article on Curriculum for Life about how to set up your business?

Running a business isn’t easy, though. If you need more support, why not check out EnterprisingYou? They’re supported by the Business Growth Hub, and they’re all about helping entrepeneurs take things to the next level. All of the business owners featured in this blog received support from them – so you’ll be in great company!

This week marks 65 years since Coronation Street first made it to our screens. As the world’s first and longest running soap, not only is it setting records, but it has also put Greater Manchester on the map.

Its popularity is all thanks to the drama it serves. The challenging storylines and memorable characters have turned the show into what we know it as today: nothing short of iconic.

But the show would not have reached icon status without all the people that worked to create it.

Perhaps you’ve wondered about a career in TV, but you’re not sure what that would look like.

That’s why we’re taking a look at all of the different areas of TV production, and the roles within them, so you can find the perfect job for you. Read on to get inspired about how you could be part of the next generation of television!

Actor

When you’re thinking about TV, actors are often the first people we think of. Maybe you love performing or have a natural flair for the dramatic. If so, acting is one way of getting into the industry.

You could look at a BTEC in Performing Arts to kickstart your creative career as an actor.

Producer

A producer is a type of manager who is responsible for a huge variety of tasks. They might be scouting for a location for a particular scene or deciding how the budget for the show is being spent. They can also be involved in the creation of storylines. They are an overseer of all that goes on at every stage of TV development.

Experience and knowledge of producing is really valued, so choosing a course that can give your hands on experience is beneficial for anyone looking to find their start. This is why a T level in Media, Broadcast and Production can be so useful.

Crew

Working as a part of the crew can refer to a variety of different jobs. You’ve got the directors who oversee the creative direction of the shoot. To help them achieve the creative vision, there’s assistant directors and runners on set to ensure that things are running smoothly.

The photography team, who are in charge of the videography, includes the camera operators, electrical team and those responsible for lighting. There’s also sound operators and script supervisors who are make sure the continuity of the plot is protected, by ensuring everyone’s saying their lines right or intervening if any plot changes are made that don’t align with the story.

In addition to a T Level, apprenticeships are great way to find your start in the industry. You might be after a more generalised apprenticeship, however there’s plenty of specific schemes that allow you to work in the role that interests you.

Websites like the UK Screen Alliance and production companies advertise apprenticeships and other entry level opportunities, so check them out.

Art Department

Being in the art department means you’re responsible for all things visual. This can range from set design to the props used by the actors as well as the actors’ hair and makeup. Deciding what makeup, hair and costume the characters will wear is an easy way for audience to understand who they are. The tv and film industry depend on the art department quite frequently to present the world they’ve created without having to explain it to the audience through the dialogue.

Those working within the art department will also be present on set to make sure everything goes to plan!

If you think you’d enjoy bringing a story to life visually, by choosing to do a T level in Craft and Design, you could build the skills you need to develop into a career in screen. Again, apprenticeships are another popular route as they give you the chance to network and gain experience.

Editing

Now that all the footage has been captured, it is the job of an editor to bring the story together. They choose the best footage, stitch together the scenes and make changes when needed. This would include things like adding sound, music, or even removing background noise.

Using the script as a guide to bring the story to life, they would regularly consult with the team to ensure that the story is being told in the way the director imagined.

Like the other roles, T Levels and apprenticeships are a great way to get into a post-production role.

Other support

A career in media doesn’t always mean a creative career! It takes a lot of different people to make sure that a TV show is run efficiently.

There are people who work in finance, making sure that people are being paid and that money is being distributed to the right departments. There’s a legal team who deal with contracts and advise on any legal issues. There are even medics on set when there’s dangerous scenes being filmed.

The business team helps with the administrative tasks that need doing, and the marketing of the show. Marketing roles can be more creative, as you might be responsible for an advert you see on billboard or on social media.

Where could you fit in?

This blog has focused on some of the roles within TV. However, depending on the production there are even more job roles you can explore.

Jobs like casting, animation or music composition are just some of the other pathways you can pursue. Research what’s out there to find your future role – check out the Beeline page on Creative, Culture and Sport to find out more.

Remember the creative industry needs diversity within its workforce to create productions that really resonate, it can competitive but if it’s your dream to work in TV – go for it. Your voice deserves to be heard.