Under-represented

The Class Ceiling report testifies to working class creatives squeezed out of recording studios, theatres, TV production hubs, art galleries, dance companies and major venues.

And yet, Britain’s creative industries continue to be responsible for representing the country as a whole, and presenting the mirror by which it sees itself. They set tastes, tell stories and define value for all, but access to related professional roles remains unfairly distributed.  Socioeconomic background still decides who gets in, who stays and who leads.

As a sponsor of this groundbreaking report, Co-op committed to step up and lead a campaign to significantly boost creative apprenticeship numbers across Greater Manchester. The target is to support the creation of 200 apprenticeships across Greater Manchester by 2029.

High demand in Greater Manchester

Fewer than 1% of all new apprenticeships starts are in the creative sector nationwide – but demand is huge. When Manchester’s newest (and the UK’s largest) indoor music arena Co-op Live advertised five apprenticeships in 2025, it received 2,304 applications or around 460 per role from candidates based within a 10-mile radius, living in wards with some of the highest unemployment rates locally.

This is one of the relatively few examples of creative apprenticeships being offered in Greater Manchester, within a sector offering only 0.5% of all new apprenticeships in England. The Class Ceiling report outlines how the persistent underrepresentation of creative apprenticeships and stark inequalities across its workforce threatens the sector’s future growth.

Apprenticeships can offer stepping stones for those wanting to break into the sector - as a business with a proud history in the region, Co-op is encouraging other local employers to share unspent levy fund and support new routes into the creative industry.

“Our Co-op believes everyone, whatever their background, should be able to access opportunities in the arts and creative sector throughout Greater Manchester.  Our Co-op is encouraging local employers to share unspent apprenticeship levy funds to raise £3 million over three years, to support 200 new apprenticeships in the area.” – Claire Costello, Chief People and Inclusion Officer at Co-op.

How can you get involved?

If you are a levy payer, Co-op Levy Share enables you to transfer your funds to other employers across private, public, voluntary and community sectors.

If the arts and creative sector in Greater Manchester is an area you would like to support, then please consider a pledge.

You could also be supporting candidates from minority backgrounds, those who are neurodiverse, care-leavers and young people who have faced barriers to learning, training and employment.

Although we recognise that this initiative will mostly appeal to neighbouring levy payers, based in Greater Manchester, the scheme is open to all employers nationwide.

If you can share levy funds with the creative industries, or you’re a current/prospective employer of apprentices based within the sector, please visit www.cooplevyshare.co.uk to learn more. 

Funding will be available for a wide range of apprenticeships, not just those related to ‘performance’ but also ‘back office’, ‘support’ and ‘technical’ roles.

 

[i] A Class Act, November 2024 – The Sutton Trust

[ii] Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre report, May 2024