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Making your option choices in school? Get inspired andpick the future you want

My World of Work

What impact could you make?

Use your skills to spark life into creative projects – on your own or with others. You can bring new ideas, products and services to the public!
Are you an independent person who enjoys flexible working or would like to be self-employed? Turn your hand to a creative role and make these dreams a reality.
Travel and work all around the world. While doing so, you'll promote Scottish creative culture across the planet.
The part of the job I enjoy most is properly understanding users and what their needs are. I love going out and talking to people then coming up with solutions that perhaps never existed before.GaryUX Designer

The creative industry at a glance

Many people in the creative industry are either self-employed and manage their own hours. Others work on a contractual basis. So, a creative career is a great choice if you’re an entrepreneur, value flexibility, love networking and enjoy promoting your abilities.

Employment

In 2024, there were around 114,500 people employed across Scotland's creative industry.

Future demand

Between 2024 and 2027, it's expected there will be 7,400 people needed to fill job openings in Scotland.

Job diversity

There are so many creative roles you could work in, from science and tech to media and culture.

Source: Creative Sectoral Skills Assessment 2024
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Be part of a colourful future

We’ve pulled out some of the most popular creative job profiles for you to explore.

Things you may not know about the creative industry

Edinburgh and Dundee are within the UK's top 10 cities for video game development, according to a new research report.

Source: The Scottish Games Network

Scotland is home to Europe's largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe! In 2024, there were almost 4,000 shows. These ranged from comedy and theatre, to live podcasts and exhibitions.

Source: Edinburgh Festival Fringe

UK music exports have increased by 320%, according to the Music Export Growth Scheme.

Source: GOV.UK

What subjects you could take in school

We've pulled together some examples of subjects and Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) that could be useful for getting into a creative career.

art

art and design

computing

English

Creative and Digital Media FA

graphic communications

design and manufacture

digital media

Leaders in creative

Discover some of the organisations within the creative industry and how they’re making an impact in the industry.

Creative Scotland logo

Creative Scotland

Creative Scotland is a public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across the country.

Visit Creative Scotland
A young person working in a greenhouse. They're crouching among the plants, looking at the camera and smiling.

All about your skills

Whatever your career ambitions are, you’ll need to know about the skills you have and how to use them.

View all about your skills
logo-UKFT-Scotland

UK Fashion & Textile Association Scotland

UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) Scotland offers support and information to Scottish fashion and textile companies. They help Scottish brands export worldwide.

Visit UKFT Scotland