Breakthrough Programme
Breakthrough is a paid 6‑month employability programme, which is run in the south-east of England. Breakthrough exists to provide entry routes into the creative industry for 18 – 25 year olds who are struggling to find meaningful employment.
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About
Breakthrough is a 6‑month employability programme designed as a stepping stone to get you workplace experience and all-important employment skills. This short placement gives you insight into a future career in the Creative Industry, supporting your confidence and professionalism in the workplace, and helping you to break through into a career that matters to you!
How it works
Trainees begin the progamme by undertaking some basic training, which is run by our team at Artswork. The majority of this training will be done online via zoom calls. IT equipment will be provided by the organisation you are working with and you will be paid a salary.
Breakthrough applications are now open for 2026 and close on 27 July 2026 at 11.45pm. Find all the opportunities below, as well as information on how to apply.
Breakthrough takes place in the south-east of England, with employers distributed across the region.
The programme is open to any young person between the ages of 18 –25, with priority given to those with who have found securing a meaningful role in the creative or voluntary sector a challenge.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for a Breakthrough training programme role, applicants must:
- Be aged 18-25 on the 28 September 2026
- Have the right to work and be usually resident in the UK
- Available to start work on the 28 September 2026 and available for the duration of the placement (until 28 March 2027)
- Have no or little (less than one month) previous experience of working in an arts, creative or voluntary sector organisation
We particularly welcome applications from applicants who:
- Are currently not in employment, education or training
- Are disabled and/or neurodivergent
- Have experienced barriers to employment due to current or prior mental health issues
- Have experienced barriers because of racism, homophobic or transgender discrimination
- Are recent school or sixth form college leavers
- Are struggling to find work due to lack of training or employment experience
Please note that this programme is not suitable for those on a degree placement year or an MA programme.
- Visit our opportunities page to view the roles available.
- You will need to download and read the job description of the role you wish to apply for.
- Applications should be submitted via this form which is also linked on the job role pages.
Please note
- All of the job descriptions include an “Employers advice” section and we strongly recommend that you tailor your answers to ensure they cover that advice given for the specific role you are applying for.
- You can apply for more than one role if you wish to, but you will need to submit separate applications using the same process.
- We strongly suggest that you research travel options for the role before applying to ensure travel is feasible.
FAQs
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If you have applied for a Breakthrough placement in a previous year and been unsuccessful, then yes you are very welcome to apply again if you meet this years eligibility criteria!
If you have already successfully undertaken a Breakthrough placement before, you won't be eligible to apply again.
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Please do. You will need to submit an application for each role you are interested in and should check that the travel to the workplace is realistic for you before applying.
If you are unsure if you are eligible, have any other questions, or need information in a different format, please email our Careers team:
Impact of Breakthrough 2025
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60%
progressed into creative jobs or courses
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93%
of respondents feeling better equipped to search for, find, and gain employment in the creative & cultural industries
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100%
of respondents reported an increase in confidence and skills upon finishing the programme
I genuinely feel like it's changed the path of my life going forward, I have no idea where I'd be without it, it’s been the perfect start to a creative career and I really couldn't have asked for anything more. I want this opportunity for more young people in my position, so that everyone has a chance to discover more about themselves and gain confidence like I’ve been able to. It's an invaluable opportunity in the working world right now!
For employers
Interested in hosting a young person at your workplace? Click below for more detail on becoming a Breakthrough employer.
Breakthrough programme (employers)
Offer a 6‑month work placement in your organisation to provide an entry route for young people looking to find meaningful work in the creative sector.