Learning Programmes: Schools, colleges & higher education
Careers education, workplace experiences and creative learning for schools, colleges and higher education.
Give your students a real-world view of what comes next.
Careers can feel a long way off when you're sat in a classroom. We bring them closer.
SharpFutures works with schools and colleges to connect students with the creative and digital industries through workplace visits, industry encounters and hands-on learning.
Whether you're looking to support your Gatsby Benchmark activity, introduce students to new career pathways or give them a chance to try something different, we'll help you create an experience that makes an impact.
Open the door to creative careers
Supporting your careers programme
Our activities can support schools and colleges working towards the Gatsby Benchmarks, including:
-
Introduce students to creative and digital professionals.
-
That immerses your students in a real working world.
-
Help students explore different roles and routes into industry.
-
That develops transferable and industry-preferred skills.
-
Support students as they move up the career and education ladder.
Find out more information about our Employment programmes here.
-
That responds to the needs of your students.
Find out more information about alternative and SEND programmes here.
Based in Manchester? You can get a tour of The Sharp Project for FREE
Our workplace tours give students the chance to explore The Sharp Project, home to JD Sports, Footaslylum studios and many more creative and digital businesses.
Discover the creative and digital businesses based here and meet people working in creative environments.
School tours are free for Manchester schools. Tours can also be combined with workshops, industry encounters and practical activities to create a fuller experience for your students.
Come and see where careers happen
Our Packages
01 Ready to work
Employability & career confidence
Help students understand what employers are looking for and how to present themselves with confidence.
Through an industry panel, careers quiz and practical CV, portfolio and personal brand workshop, students explore the skills, qualities and experiences that can help them take their next step.
What's included:
Tour of The Sharp Project
Industry careers panel
Interactive careers quiz workshop
CV, portfolio and personal brand workshop
Students leave with: A better understanding of creative careers, greater confidence in presenting themselves and practical tools to support their next steps.
03 The digital creator
App & website design
Students develop their own digital product, exploring the creative and technical skills involved in designing an app or website.
From defining a brand and writing website copy to considering the user experience, they'll discover how different digital skills come together.
What's included:
Tour of The Sharp Project
App or website concept development
Brand identity and design
Website copywriting
User experience and interface design
Sales strategy
Digital development
Students leave with: Their own app or website concept, a practical understanding of digital roles and experience taking an idea from concept towards creation.
02 The creative brief
Brand building & creative skills
Students take on a client-style brief, building a brand from scratch and pitching their ideas.
From brand identity and tone of voice to content creation and practical skills using Canva and CapCut, students get a taste of the different roles involved in a creative project.
What's included:
Tour of The Sharp Project
Introduction to the client brief
Brand identity and design
Tone of voice and copywriting
Content creation
Practical Canva and CapCut skills
Final presentation and pitch
Students leave with: A brand concept they've developed, practical creative skills and experience presenting their ideas.
04 Made for you
Bespoke creative and digital learning
Got something specific in mind? Let's build it together. Not every group fits neatly into a package, and that's absolutely fine.
We can create a tailored programme around your students' interests, learning objectives and the creative or digital skills you'd like them to explore.
What's included:
• Tour of The Sharp Project
• A programme designed around your students
• Industry insight and practical learning
• Creative or digital skills development
• Activities tailored to your objectives
Students leave with: An experience shaped around their interests, new skills and a clearer view of the opportunities available to them.
For learners ready to build their experience, SharpFutures can provide a pathway into POD (People On Demand) connecting emerging talent with paid creative and digital work.
We’ve successfully supported learners into opportunities with JD Sports, the BBC and local businesses, helping them turn new skills into real industry experience.
Learn → Build → Connect → Work