STEP 8

A 12-month paid traineeship for young East Londoners wanting to step into careers in the creative & cultural sectors

This summer, our Shared Training and Employment Programme STEP returns for its 8th iteration as the previously annual paid traineeship getting young East Londoners into local creative jobs will take place more frequently – increasing employment opportunities for young East Londoners aged 18-30 brimming with new ideas, creative energy and timely perspectives – as they're matched with our committed and every growing partner employers.

Those of you joining our popular traineeship will be matched with committed local businesses to experience an entry-level role in the creative or cultural sector where you'll get paid a London Living Wage (£11.95/ph) or above salary over a 12-month training programme.

Be ready to develop a range of skills and creative approaches as you get your foot in the door, grow as part of a like-minded group, and take part in monthly professional development workshops.

We’ll also connect you with a specialist industry mentor, provide personal career coaching and continue to support your creative employment journey as you graduate the programme as an alumnus and join our wider creative community.

This year we are offering 13 placements from Bow Arts, Bullion Productions, Broadcast Revolution, UCL East, PEER Gallery, V&A East, Sadlers Well's, It's Nice That, Magnum, YAYA CO, and more.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to view and download the job descriptions. Sectors in focus include:

  • Museums & Galleries
  • Film, Music, TV, Radio, Broadcast & Production
  • Advertising, PR, Marketing, Print Media & Publishing
  • Theatre & Dance

About STEP

Find out more

  • Who can apply?
    • 18-30 years old (from application date)
    • Living in the London boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham or Waltham Forest. With priority given to those who also went to school or college in the borough.
  • Who's involved?

    Companies offering placements for STEP 8 include:

    Participants will also work closely with the Good Growth Hub's in-house team of friendly youth workers and facilitators as we deliver regular training in partnership with industry experts, including careers and employability workshops, mentoring and coaching and bespoke professional development.

  • Application support

    Got questions or need support on your STEP application?

    Register to attend an online (zoom) Information and Application Support Workshop where you'll meet some of our partners, learn about the placements on offer and receive advice on how to prepare an ideal application.

    • Friday 26 May – 14:00 – 15:00

    STEP info and application support online workshop #1

    • Friday 9 June – 14:00 – 15:00

    STEP info and application support online workshop #2

    • Monday 19 June – 16:00 – 17:00

    STEP info and application support online workshop #3

    Prefer 1-1 advice? Book a 1-hour slot for Friday 16 June and Friday 23 June here to receive personal guidance on your STEP application from experts who guide you based on the selection criteria. Sessions take place in-person at the Good Growth Hub, every hour

      • 10:30 – 11:30
      • 11:30 – 12:30
      • 12:30 – 13:30
      • 13:30 – 14:30
      • 14:30 – 15:30
      • 15:30 – 16:30

    More support?

    Get on our pre-employment training via The Creative and Cultural Opportunities Programme x STEP 8 for east Londoners aged 18-30.

    In this 2-day crash course, discover roles in the creative, cultural, and digital sectors, and explore your creative skills and interests. Curriculum highlights include confidently and clearly telling your story; how to review job descriptions; CV writing; Application writing; and Job interviews, in both group and individual settings.

    Taking place Thursday 8 and Friday 9 June 2023.

    Deadline to apply: Tues 6 June

    Apply now

    Digging deeper?

    Check out our Eligibility FAQs to learn more about the STEP process.

    Explore our bespoke toolkit on inclusive progression routes into the arts for D/deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people.

    Read our Application Top Tips on how to prepare the best application possible.

    Ready to apply?

    Start your STEP 8 application

    The deadline to apply is Sunday 25 June, 10:00 BST

  • Programme timetable
    • Applications open from Monday 15 May 2023
    • Applications close: 10:00 am, Sunday 25 June 2023
    • Selection days for participants: Monday 10 or Friday 14 July
    • Programme induction: Mon 14 August – Wed 16 August
    • Programme placements: 21 August 2023 – 2024*

    *All trainees must be able to commit to the duration of the programme and be available for the selection days

Applications are now closed.

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Bow Arts

Gallery Assistant

Broadcast Revolution

Account Executive

It's Nice That

Junior Designer

Leuder

Design Assistant

PEER

Gallery & Communications Assistant

Sadlers Well's

Producing & Touring Trainee

Sadlers Well's

Learning & Engagement Trainee

Sadlers Well's

Programming Trainee

UCL

Community Engagement and Public Art Assistant

UCL East

Schools Engagement Assistant

V&A East

Community Engagement Assistant

Good Growth Hub logo thumbnail.png

This programme is delivered by the Good Growth Hub – a creative careers hub in east London run by A New Direction. The Hub is funded by the London Legacy Development Cooperation (LLDC) with investment from the Foundation for Future London, through the East Bank Partnerships’ New Talent Future Leaders programme – dedicated to the growth of STEP and other Good Growth Hub activities.

Find out more

With thanks to our STEP 8 employment partners

UCL logo.png V&A.png Sadlers Wells.jpeg Its Nice That.png Anyways logo.png Bow Arts logo.jpegPEER logo.png Broadcast Revolution.jpgBullion logo.png

Previous partners and friends of STEP include:

London College of Fashion, East London Dance, Foundation for Future London, NTS, Artichoke, Rosetta Arts, Pooja Sitpura (Young People’s Programmer, National Theatre) Juliette Larthe (Founder, Prettybird), Thristian (Creative Director, Worldwide FM) Leyla Tahir (Marketing Manager, Tate), Navjot Mangat (Interpretation Manger, V&A East), Catherine Ince (Chief Curator, V&A East) Georgia Catt (Producer, BBC Podcasts), Dramatic Resources, Richard Cross (Programming Manager, Sadler’s Wells), Olivia Twist (Illustrator and UAL Lecturer), Haja Fanta (Creative Producer), among others.