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Wake Up Call: How to understand 16–18 creative career pathways and why they matter for your talent pipeline

BCI Webinar

25th Sep 2026

8:30am

-

9am

Online

News

>by Bristol Creative Industries

The creative industries continue to grow at pace but employer demand for skills is outstripping supply. At the same time, many businesses overlook an entire pipeline of emerging talent: young people aged 16–18 who are already gaining industry relevant skills, technical expertise, and real world project experience.

In this webinar, Chrissandra Boxley from Weston College will demystify the post-16 education landscape and explain what today’s creative pathways actually look like. She’ll explore how young people are learning differently, the industry aligned skills they are developing, and what the next generation expects from employers.

She’ll also address some of the biggest myths around 16–18 learners; including the common assumption that graduate level talent is always the best or only option.

This session is designed to give creative employers a clearer understanding of how to connect with and benefit from this pipeline, whether through work experience, live briefs, industry projects, or early talent engagement.

Expect practical insights, up to date trends, and real examples of how creative businesses are already benefitting from engaging earlier with young talent.

Bristol Creative Industries members can register here

This webinar is exclusively for BCI members. It’s one of many benefits you get by joining the community. Not a BCI member? Read more about the benefits and join here.

Who it’s for?

This session is ideal for:

  • Creative agencies, studios, and freelancers
  • Employers looking to strengthen early career recruitment
  • HR, talent, and people teams
  • Hiring managers facing skills shortages
  • Organisations interested in outreach, partnerships, and social impact
  • Anyone curious about the future skills pipeline in the creative industries

About Chrissandra:

As head of creative arts at Weston College, Chrissandra leads on FE/HE/part time and apprenticeship creative programmes designed in collaboration with industry. Holding a BA (Hons) in fashion and textile design, a PGCE, and an MA in sustainable fashion, Chrissandra is able to combine creative practice with educational leadership.

Chrissandra works extensively with employers to co-create curriculum pathways that respond directly to skills gaps and sector needs, and is passionate about developing future-ready talent, advocating for stronger connections between education and the creative industries to build a resilient and diverse workforce.

> See Weston College’s BCI profile here

> Connect with Chrissandra on LinkedIn

More about the Wake Up Call webinars

The online sessions take place every other Friday morning from 8.30-9am, and allow BCI members to share their knowledge with fellow members.

The webinars are a 15/20 minute presentation followed by a 10/15 minute Q&A. The sessions are a mix of expert tips and case studies – the perfect opportunity to learn something new before the week is out.

The webinars are exclusively for BCI members. They are one of many benefits you get by joining the community. Not a BCI member? Read more about the benefits and join here.

Please get in touch with Dan if you’re a BCI member and you’re interested in presenting on a future webinar.

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About Bristol Creative Industries

Bristol Creative Industries is the membership network that supports the region's creative sector to learn, grow and connect, driven by the common belief that we can achieve more collectively than alone. 

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