Careers in Chesterfield Archives - Destination Chesterfield

Exploring careers in the creative and digital industry

19th April 2023

Wondering what a career in creative and digital involves? As a society, we are becoming more and more reliant on technology. Especially businesses, which need creative and digital talent to help push products and services to market.

Chesterfield needs more skilled people in these sectors to achieve its ambitions. That’s because the town is working to complete £2b of regeneration.

As more businesses invest here, Chesterfield is becoming a great place of innovation again. It follows on from our long history of ‘firsts’. From the first commercially produced disposable nappy. To the first Derbyshire town to embrace electric street lighting.

Chesterfield was also the first town in the UK to declare itself an Apprentice Town. Keep reading to find out from current and past apprentices why they chose an exciting career in creative and digital.

Meet local creative and digital apprentices

Creative and digital overlaps with many sectors. It allows you to choose your role within an area that interests you most. Whether you want to engineer technology, create social media content or design architectural visualisation, you can do it all here in Chesterfield!

Dylan Mann is a Level 3 Information Communications Technician at Central Technology. The IT company offers clients tailored IT Support, Cloud, Cyber Security and Telecom Solutions.

Ellie Eaton is a Level 3 Content Creator at Derbyshire Constabulary, training with Chesterfield College. The team at Derbyshire Constabulary works across many departments to protect the people of Derbyshire.

Alicia Bottomley is a Creative Visualiser at Oasis Studio. Alicia originally started her career as an apprentice. Oasis Studio is an award-winning digital media studio based in Chesterfield. The team offers a broad suite of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, CGI and animation services.

Jake Taylor is a Level 3 Digital Support Technician at Addooco IT. Addooco is an innovative and specialist provider of Managed IT, Cloud, Communications and Cyber Security solutions.

Why did you choose a career in the creative and digital industry?

Dylan, Level 3 apprentice at Central Technology

Dylan: “I’d always found fiddling with electronics and technology appealing. From a fairly young age I’d been inside computers and laptops trying to fix them and it appealed to me. In secondary school I had an IT teacher who made a conscious effort to try and make IT more fun for everyone and the way he did this persuaded me, even more, to take a GCSE in IT. From then on, everything just fell into place, and I’ve never looked back.”

Ellie: “I already completed an apprenticeship in business administration and developed an interest in the engagement and multi-media team. I love seeing your initial concept, through to stakeholders’ reactions to the final content piece. It is a rewarding industry to work in.”

Jake: “I became an apprentice to move into an ever-growing industry, and to earn and learn on the job. It gave me hands-on experience with a technology company and hopefully kickstart a career in something I’m passionate about.”

Alicia: “I enjoy exploring new creative adventures, and as creativity & tech were quickly evolving side by side, I wanted to be a part of it.”

What do you enjoy about your role?

Alicia, Creative Visualiser at Oasis Studio

Alicia: “I love working at Oasis Studio because I feel like I can stand out as an individual, whilst still counting on my amazing team to back me up when I need it. It’s amazing to work for a company that recognises and encourages my creativity. I feel like a valued part of the team here.”

Ellie: “I enjoy working closely with colleagues from creative backgrounds. They encourage me to expand on my ideas and allow opportunities for me to develop my production skills.

I am currently working on a project to improve our use of Instagram, which involves me carrying out research into competitors, pitching ideas to colleagues and trialling different content formats. Using our Instagram more effectively will help us to communicate with a younger age demographic. That has been an ongoing organisational problem for many years.”

Dylan: “ There are lots to like about my role. Every day is different and I learn something new. IT is like learning to drive. Once you pass your test you only then begin to learn to drive. You can look at models and theoretical scenarios. But only once they’re occurring in front of your eyes – then you learn how to deal with them.”

Jake: “With the digital sector expanding and developing at the rate it is, it means there’s always something new to learn and get stuck into. I have worked on the Northern Gateway Centre, and it was rewarding seeing the network built from the ground up.”

Why choose Chesterfield for your creative and digital career?

Coral Guard and David Freeman at Spire Radio

1) Strong creative and digital companies choose Chesterfield as a base for both their business and families. That’s because the town is uniquely positioned; close to the Peak District and brilliantly connected with easy access to major cities by road and direct rail. So, you will find an array of career opportunities in the industry here. Find out more about the creative and digital businesses in Chesterfield…

2) An apprenticeship is a fantastic career route that allows you to develop skills and experience to progress your career. Chesterfield has a range of apprenticeship providers. They can guide you to find an apprenticeship with a local employer and support your apprenticeship training.

3) Chesterfield’s businesses are keen to support future talent in the creative and digital industries. Spire Radio has created partnerships with local businesses to offer opportunities for individuals to develop skills and gain experience. David Freeman, Presenter at Spire Radio, said:

“We love inviting local students into our studios as part of our work experience program. Working with Chesterfield College and GBS Apprenticeships, we’ve developed an educational program to help students understand the radio and media industry. Including activities on and off-air, encompassing all aspects of our station from broadcasting to website content, social media to production.”

Coral Guard, Brand Development Manager at GBS Apprenticeships, added:

“I had a great time on Spire Radio, David gave me an opportunity to give adult learners a voice in the apprenticeship space and get the word out about how easy and accessible apprenticeships can be for everyone. I’m looking forward to the future shows we are planning together and continue to promote our Apprentice Town!”

Have you been inspired to learn more?

The creative and digital sector is extremely diverse, covering all kinds of careers in which people make things using their imagination.

Browse apprenticeship vacancies here…

Get guidance on becoming an apprentice here…

Discover more about the creative and digital industries…

School workplace tours make a comeback for Made in Chesterfield

8th November 2021

North East Derbyshire’s school pupils are set to get hands-on with engineering and manufacturing careers once again with the Made in Chesterfield campaign which returns in November.

Forced to moving to virtual workplace tours last year amidst the pandemic, schools can once again visit local engineering and manufacturing businesses in person and discover the range of careers and job opportunities on offer to them in the sector.

Launched originally in 2013, the annual Made in Chesterfield campaign, which is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with Direct Education Business Partnership, has since introduced thousands of young people across North East Derbyshire to the possibility of a career in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) sector.

Relaunched for 2021, and free from the constraints imposed last year by the pandemic, Made in Chesterfield is offering workplace tours for schools across 10 local companies operating in the STEM sector.

Aiming to bridge the careers information gap between education and industry, groups of Year 7 – 11 students will be visiting businesses from Monday 8 – Friday 26 November for an educational, interactive learning experience between.

Companies offering workplace tours to schools include CBE+, Superior Wellness, United Cast Bar, Morgan Sindall Group Plc, MSE Hiller, Penny Hydraulics, Aztec Oils, Vistry Partnerships, Weightron Bilanciai and Woodhead Group.

As part of the month-long Made in Chesterfield campaign, schools can also access a range of careers videos to enable young people to experience a number of workplace tours virtually. There is also supporting activities and careers information and apprentice opportunities within the MyFuture virtual careers fair.

Four years ago, Made in Chesterfield introduced Eve Bennett (20) to the sector with a two- week work experience with her now employer MSE Hiller. She has since gone on to complete a mechanical engineering apprenticeship at the company which is one of a number businesses in the sector supporting the campaign.

Eve said: “I still find it shocking that women get frowned upon for going into engineering. It’s a brilliant job and career for anyone. I’ve always wanted to be an engineer for as long as I can remember. I love the job and the company I am working for. I couldn’t see myself doing anything different.”

Ivan Fomin, Managing Director of MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield’s board member responsible for manufacturing and engineering in the Borough, commented: “We have been running Made in Chesterfield for eight years and in that time, it has achieved an incredible amount. It works. Two of MSE Hiller’s apprentices are a direct result of the campaign.

“Made in Chesterfield is committed to breaking down preconceived ideas about the sector by young people, their parents and teachers. The world has changed and so has the manufacturing and engineering sector. It offers fantastic skills and training as well as interesting and well paid jobs at every level. Everyone is welcome.”

Dan Heffernan, Careers & Young People Lead at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “In this fast changing world of innovation, technology and ever increasing advancement within industry, never has the phrase “you can’t be what you can’t see” been more appropriate. After the last 18h months of our young people being confined to their screens, it’s more important than ever that they are now given the opportunity to experience real life workplaces and to engage with employees carrying out real life jobs.

“It’s no secret that the pandemic rocked our labour market and sent shockwaves right the way across industry. However, as we now turn the corner our businesses are looking at how they can bounce back and thrive once again, and central to this will be a pipeline of talent ready to enter their workforce. It is therefore vital that our young people are aware of the opportunities open to them, and crucially that they understand what they must do to get there.

“D2N2 LEP and the Careers & Enterprise Company are incredibly proud to be working on this open door initiative in Chesterfield, building on the successes that have been seen in previous years whilst engaging and encouraging even more businesses and schools to take part. It is then our intention to use this model as a framework to roll out to all schools right the way across the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire region through our new Careers Hubs.”

Charlie Goodwn, projects Officer at DEBP commented: “We’re excited to working in partnership with Destination Chesterfield and D2N2 to deliver the Made in Chesterfield event in November for students from Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire schools. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to be inspired by local employers and have their eyes opened to the many career opportunities that are available to them right on their doorstep.”

DEBP has been working with the schools to identify groups of students that would benefit from a visit to a local company. Students identified may have a specific career they would like to learn more about or may just need an opportunity to learn about the careers within their preferred industry.

Charlie added: “We’re looking forward to seeing the impact of this year’s Made in Chesterfield events for the young people and businesses involved.”

Made in Chesterfield 2021 has been made possible thanks to funding and support from The Chesterfield College Group, Chesterfield Borough Council, North Derbyshire Career Hub, D2N2 LEP, Careers and Enterprise Company, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd and Natwest.

To find out more about Made in Chesterfield and discover how your school can get involved with a workplace visit, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/