Young people in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, could soon find work on film and television sets following a new partnership between the government and the creative industry. The initiative aims to provide training and paid work for residents aged 18 to 24 to help fill a growing need for behind-the-scenes workers.
On 30 January 2026 the Department for Work and Pensions announced that the new funding will support thousands of “Creative Gateway” roles nationwide. Rather than focusing on acting, the scheme will train people for technical jobs such as set construction, electrical work, lighting and digital editing.
Burton & South Derbyshire College is expected to lead local training by offering fast-track Level 3 courses such as ‘Creative Content Creator’ and ‘Set Construction’ to help residents prepare for these roles. The South Derbyshire Jobcentre in Swadlincote will also set up a dedicated ‘Creative Hub’ desk to help young people on Universal Credit apply for six-month paid placements.
According to the DWP announcement, recruitment for the initial cohorts is due to begin on 1 March 2026, with training starting in April 2026. Residents interested in the programme should visit the Jobcentre on Civic Way to ask about the Creative Gateway referral or begin compiling a digital portfolio of previous work.
The project is designed to shift media jobs away from a London-centric model; the DWP said it aims to “break the ‘London-centric’ myth,” so towns like Swadlincote offer comparable routes into careers in cinematography, set design and other production roles. Because Swadlincote is near regional media hubs in Birmingham and Nottingham, local people with skills in trades such as carpentry or hair and makeup can now access a clearer path into the film and TV supply chain.
