the-creative-career-accelerator

  • The Creative Career Accelerator

    A FREE skills and portfolio-building programme for people interested in freelance and self-employed careers in creative & marketing industries.


    Our next Creative Career Accelerator starts 

    Friday 2nd October 2026. 

    Register your interest now

Dreaming of flexible work, freelancing or being your own boss - but not totally sure how people actually get there? We get it.

New Light Learning's Creative Career Accelerator is a fully-funded, FREE 12-week programme for people across York & North Yorkshire who want to explore freelance and self-employed career pathways in the creative and marketing industries.

Register your interest now

The programme has been designed for people who want to build a career in the creative and marketing industries, who may not feel represented by traditional career routes, or who need a more flexible pathway into work. No prior experience is required. 

The programme combines supportive coaching, industry-informed learning and hands-on project work to help participants move from uncertainty to confidence, building the skills, experience and self-belief needed to take meaningful next steps into freelance work or self-employment.

Please note: This is not a business support programme for existing business owners looking for help marketing their own business.

This project is supported by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions' Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer.

Our next Creative Career Accelerator starts Friday 2nd October 2026. 

Register your interest now

Why join the programme?

Gain practical creative and marketing skills in areas such as branding, content creation, campaign planning, social media and content strategy.

Work on live briefs for real clients, building a professional portfolio that showcases your skills and gives you practical experience you can actually talk about with future clients or employers.

Learn how self-employment really works. We'll cover the practical side too, including:

  • Pricing your work confidently
  • Setting up the systems, tools and platforms you need to freelance or run a business
  • Finding clients
  • Networking
  • Invoices & tax basics
  • Business registration
  • Pitching yourself professionally
  • Building confidence as a freelancer

You'll leave with a clear plan for your next steps and the knowledge needed to start putting it into action.

Receive personalised coaching and support to help you identify your strengths, build confidence and develop your professional identity.

Plus, you'll gain access to:
  • A network of organisations actively commissioning creative work, giving you opportunities to pitch for real projects
  • Industry experts providing you with all the skills and advice you need to set out on your journey as a freelancer. 
  • Access to further accelerator support to help you grow and scale your freelance or business career. 
Register your interest now

FAQs

What kinds of creative careers does this programme support?

The programme focuses on creative marketing and digital communication skills, including areas such as content creation, branding, social media, copywriting and campaign planning.

Participants work on live client projects, build a professional portfolio and develop the skills needed to secure freelance work or self-employment opportunities in these areas.

It may not be the best fit for people looking for specialist training in other creative disciplines.

If you're unsure whether the programme is the right fit for your goals, we'd encourage you to get in touch.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The Creative Career Accelerator is open to individuals aged 18 to 64 who live in York or North Yorkshire and are interested in exploring creative, freelance or self-employed career pathways.
  • No previous qualifications, professional experience or portfolio are required. We welcome applications from people at all stages of their career journey, including graduates, career changers, aspiring freelancers, parents and carers returning to work, individuals seeking more flexible employment options, and those who may lack confidence or experience within the creative industries.
  • To participate fully, learners should be able to commit to the 12-week programme, including live workshops, practical activities, project work and independent learning.
  • Priority may be given to individuals who are unemployed, economically inactive, underemployed, or facing barriers to employment and career progression.
  • Applicants must be resident in York or North Yorkshire at the time of application and throughout the duration of the programme.

I already run a freelance business. Is this programme right for me?

This programme is primarily designed for people who are at an early stage of exploring freelance work, self-employment or creative careers. The focus is on building foundational skills, confidence, experience and business knowledge.

If you're already running an established freelance business and are mainly looking for support with marketing, business growth or scaling your services, this programme may not be the best fit for your current needs.

If you're unsure whether the programme is the right fit for your goals, we'd encourage you to get in touch.

Register your interest now

Course Outline

  • Over 12 weeks, you'll learn from industry professionals, work on real client projects and build a portfolio that showcases your skills, with around 7 hours of tutor-led learning each week alongside practical project work.
  • The programme is delivered predominantly online in order to make it as accessible as possible. However, there are three in-person sessions (Week 1, 6 and 12) where participants can collaborate in person and get face to face input from tutors, clients and industry professionals. 

Register your interest now

​Sign Up Now!​

We have limited FREE funded places on the programme and anticipate being over-subscribed, so act fast to sign up!


Please complete the form below to apply. Our next Creative Career Accelerator starts Friday 2nd October 2026. 


Once we’ve received your application, a member of our friendly team will be in touch to let you know if you’ve got a place. Places are limited, so you might be placed on our waiting list for a future course.

​​Contact us

If you have any questions about the creative career accelerator, you can get in touch by emailing us at hello@newlightinsights.org.uk.

Funded by:

This project is supported by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions' Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer.

Contact Us
6 Hamilton Drive East,
York, YO24 4EF

01904 953155
hello@newlightinsights.org.uk

New Light Learning is a trading style of New Light CIC.
​Registered company number: 10479737
 © 2026 New Light Learning. All Rights Reserved