BBC Children in Need's We Move FWD Academy

Are you aged 16–21 and interested in building your confidence, skills, networks and career opportunities?

Creative Access is partnering with BBC Children in Need's We Move FWD Academy to support young Black people to explore future pathways, meet employers, build confidence and access opportunities in exciting industries.

We Move FWD is a 10-year commitment to progress, driving the change that is needed to build a brilliant, equitable future for young Black people. It exists to champion and safeguard Black joy and imagination.

The Academy programme will provide career development support and training, networking opportunities, and possible paid work experience, including an in-person launch day in your region. It will run across the UK for the next 12 months, with the first wave opening to applicants based in London and the South East, launching in October 2026 for 25 young people aged 16-21, with paid placements following in November 2026.

Here's what the Academy programme looks like:

• Academy Launch day: An in-person welcome day in your region (Wave 1 will be on Monday 26th October at Penguin Random House’s offices, Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London, SW11 7BW), hosted in a creative venue or employer space rather than a classroom. You'll meet employers, take part in activities, and come away with a new network of peers and a named Creative Access contact for the whole programme.
• Skills and exposure: A run of online sessions over two weeks to help develop your skills and confidence in the workplace.
• Matching and preparation: Wherever possible, you'll be matched to a confirmed paid opportunity based on your interests, location, employer need and any access requirements. If you're not matched this time, you'll still stay in the programme and we'll work with you on anything that comes up over the year that might be a good match for your interests, to support you to get some relevant experience.
• Possible paid placement: A minimum 10 days paid placement in November 2026, across 4 weeks, paid at least London Living Wage (or Real Living Wage outside London). You'll get check-ins from Creative Access throughout.
• Alumni group: You'll get an end-of-placement debrief with us, plus a secured reference. You'll also join the We Move FWD Academy alumni community for ongoing job listings, peer connection and future opportunities, with the opportunity to feed your experiences into future waves across the UK.

Waves 2, 3 and 4, covering the North and Midlands, Wales and South West, and Scotland, will be advertised over the next 12 months.

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your application as one document
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.