The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) XpoNorth Digital programme, UHI and Hollywood producer Jason Lust have partnered to deliver a new initiative for creatives.

FutureCreative is designed to directly connect creative, heritage and digital students with professional networks and opportunities.

The project will build on the work already achieved through the LevelUp partnership and feature an increased level of strategic and development support built to impact skills and better prepare students for a career in the sector.

XpoNorth Digital will deliver workshops, one-to-one advice and specialist mentorship as part of the project, which will allow students to integrate more fully into the creative industries, explore new ideas, develop relationships, and build professional futures.

The programme will be available to all students studying a creative or heritage course at UHI.

In addition to the broader FutureCreative programme, executive producer Lust will work with XpoNorth Digital and UHI to deliver a specially curated mentorship and talent development strand, custom designed to support students to access high-level national and international opportunities earlier in their career and development journey.

XpoNorth Digital programme manager Alex Smith commented: “Following the success of our previous LevelUp partnership, we’re delighted to be further extending our relationship with UHI through the launch of the new FutureCreative programme.

“With a distinct focus on supporting students to better explore the diversity of pathways into the sector, this exciting development will see increased access to the XpoNorth Digital support framework alongside specialist workshops, mentorship, and network building opportunities.

“We’re also incredibly pleased to have worked with Jason Lust on what we’re sure will be a transformational opportunity for the students to connect with high-level opportunities on an international scale.”

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Peter Honeyman, UHI’s Subject Network Leader for Creative and Cultural Industries, said: “The FutureCreative programme is an amazing opportunity for creative industries students throughout UHI.

“Having access to this range of industry speakers gives students real insights into the range of employment and self-employment options open to them after graduation.

“It also introduces them to a valuable network of contacts and helps them to gain a deep understanding of the sector into which they are hoping to progress. We are very grateful to have this support from HIE and XpoNorth. UHI’s potential involvement with Hollywood producer Jason Lust is an example of the high-level and global reach of this programme, partly enabled through UHI’s pioneering work with video-conferencing and remote technology.”

Dr Jen Vanderhoven, Vice-Principal Engagement of UHI, added: “The diversity of our locations and flexible approach to learning is what makes this programme so exciting.

“The mix of in-person and online activity allows for a shared experience which could also lead to future collaborative projects in several local areas. We are all looking forward to the programme beginning.”

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