How Burberry is providing a boost for 30,000 people who work in Leeds City Region's creative sector

Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Burberry have joined forces to launch a “FutureGoals” teaching resource which will help young people learn how their maths, English and science skills are used in the creative sector.

Created in collaboration with local businesses and schools the programme is based around the production of a festival. It aims to dispel myths around careers in the sector and provide a wider understanding of the less well-known, yet vital, roles.

A LEP spokesman said: “The creative industry is now the region’s fastest growing sector providing incredible job opportunities to local people. There are currently more than 30,000 people working in the creative sector in Leeds City Region with that number predicted to increase.”

Pam Batty, the secretary of The Burberry Foundation and Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Burberry said: “The FutureGoals Spotlight campaign provides a unique and interactive approach to equipping young people with valuable insight on entering the creative industry.

“The Leeds City Region has a fantastic creative network and this campaign will open up a world of opportunity for young people by introducing them to many diverse and stimulating career paths.

“The Burberry Foundation is dedicated to using the power of creativity to drive positive change in our communities and this accessible toolkit can help empower young people to forge a new path with meaningful support.”

The new Spotlight campaign, which is aimed at students from years seven to 11, includes a series of interactive and engaging resources, which are all designed to give students a taste of what it would be like to work in the creative sector.

Spotlight has been developed as part of the LEP’s wider careers campaign, FutureGoals, which provides information about the wide range of careers which are available in the Leeds City Region.

Roger Marsh OBE, the chairman of the LEP, said: “Spotlight is a fantastic addition to the LEP’s FutureGoals campaign, highlighting the wide range of exciting careers available in the creative industry.

“This innovative project-based approach incorporates maths, science and English to build confidence and skills transferable to roles in this sector.”

Educators, careers advisers or influencers to young people are encouraged to download the free Spotlight resources at www.futuregoals.co.uk/spotlight.

Last month, Burberry opened a new Centre for Manufacturing Excellence in Castleford as part of its investment plans for Yorkshire.

The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) will provide training to deliver a sewing machinist development programme to expand the skill set of Burberry’s highly trained sewing operatives.

Burberry manufactures its world famous trench coats in Castleford and Keighley and is keen to invest in both sites.

When asked last month, if the group plans further investment in the region, the group’s chief financial officer Julie Brown said: “Absolutely - we remain committed to Yorkshire and the UK and continue to invest in our existing manufacturing operations in Castleford and Keighley.”

The firm also said there had been further expansion to Burberry Business Services in Leeds,